Discerning Heart Failure: New Treatment Approaches for Preserved or Reduced Ejection Fraction Subtypes

An American Journal of Managed Care® Supplement

Discerning Heart Failure: New Treatment Approaches for Preserved or Reduced Ejection Fraction Subtypes

Faculty

Christopher Betz, PharmD, BCPS, FKSHP, FASHP
Professor
Department of Pharmacy Practice
Sullivan University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine
Division of Cardiovascular Medicine
University of Louisville School of Medicine

Cardiology Clinical Pharmacy Specialist
Jewish Hospital Rudd Heart & Lung Center—
UofL Health
Louisville, Kentucky

Jeenal Patel, PharmD, BCGP
Associate Director
Formulary Design and Strategy
Oscar Health
New York, New York

Medical Writing & Editorial Support

Jeannette Wick, RPh, MBA, FASCP
Medical Writer
Storrs, Connecticut

Jenna Wood, PharmD
Medical Writer
Columbus, Ohio

Program Description
The number of Americans older than 20 years with heart failure (HF) has significantly increased in the past 10 years, with projections estimating more than 8 million American adults will be diagnosed with HF by 2030. Patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction and those with preserved ejection fraction (HFrEF, HFpEF) require different treatments. Managed care pharmacists and clinicians must be familiar with diagnostics and treatment strategies associated with each subtype. Currently, no specific treatments are available for HFpEF, although guidelines recommend use of diuretics, and several agents focusing on muscle contractility are under investigation. Heart disease is a leading cost driver in healthcare, with costs attributed to medication management of comorbidities, complications due to nonadherence, and hospitalizations. Managed care professionals must be familiar with emerging evidence and where these agents may fit into the HF treatment paradigm as well as current treatment guidelines and ensure the implementation of these protocols within their institutions.

Target audience: Managed care pharmacists
Activity type: Application
Release date: May 27, 2021
Expiration date: June 15, 2022
Estimated time to complete activity: 2 hours
Fee: Free

Educational Objectives
At the completion of this activity, the participant will be able to:
• Explain the incidence and prevalence of heart failure (HF), the difference between heart failure with preserved or reduced ejection fraction (HFpEF or HFrEF), diagnostic testing, and prognosis.
• Classify traditional treatments for HFpEF and HFrEF, the lack of medications for HFpEF, and innovative treatment approaches currently in clinical trials.
• Calculate the high cost of hospitalizations and emergency department visits, reduced quality of life, and treatment challenges for patients diagnosed with HF.

Pharmacy Times Continuing Education™ is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) as a provider of continuing pharmacy education. This activity is approved for 2.0 contact hours (0.20 CEU) under the ACPE universal activity number 0290-0000-21-201-H01-P. The activity is available for CE credit through June 15, 2022.


Instructions for Completing the Activity and Receiving CPE Credit
To receive CPE credit, participants must complete the pretest, read the online article in its entirety, complete the posttest, and complete the online activity evaluation. After successful completion of the online activity evaluation, you can submit your credit to CPE Monitor. You may view your credit within 48 hours at www.mycpemonitor.net. All participants must request credit before the activity expiration date. CE credit will not be issued after this date.
 

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Disclosures

Faculty

Christopher Betz, PharmD, BCPS, FKSHP, FASHP, and Jeenal Patel, PharmD, BCGP, have no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose.

Medical Writing & Editorial Support Disclosures

Jeannette Y. Wick, RPh, MBA, FASCP, and Jenna Wood, PharmD, have no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose.

Pharmacy Times Continuing Education™ Planning Staff – Jim Palatine, RPh, MBA; Maryjo Dixon, RPh; Kimberly Simpson, PharmD; Kelly McCormick; Susan Pordon; Brianna Winters; and Chloe Taccetta have no financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose.

Disclosure Policy
According to the disclosure policy of The American Journal of Managed Care® and Pharmacy Times Continuing Education™, all persons who are in a position to control content are required to disclose any relevant financial relationships with commercial interests. If a conflict is identified, it is the responsibility of Pharmacy Times Continuing Education™ to initiate a mechanism to resolve the conflict(s). The existence of these relationships is not viewed as implying bias or decreasing the value of the activity. All educational materials are reviewed for fair balance, scientific objectivity of studies reported, and levels of evidence.

Disclosure of Unapproved/Off-Label Use
The contents of this activity may include information regarding the use of products that may be inconsistent with or outside the approved labeling for these products in the United States. Participants should note that the use of these products outside current approved labeling is considered experimental and they are advised to consult prescribing information for these products.

The information provided in this CE activity is for continuing medical and pharmacy education purposes only and is not meant to substitute for the independent medical or pharmacy judgment of a physician or pharmacist relative to diagnostic, treatment, or management options for a specific patient’s medical condition.

The opinions expressed in the content are solely those of the individual faculty members and do not reflect those of The American Journal of Managed Care®, Pharmacy Times Continuing Education™, or any of the companies that provided commercial support for this CE activity.

Signed disclosures are on file at the office of The American Journal of Managed Care®, Cranbury, New Jersey.

Educational Disclaimer
CPE activities are offered solely for educational purposes and do not constitute any form of professional advice or referral. Discussions concerning drugs, dosages, and procedures may reflect the clinical experience of the author(s) or they may be derived from the professional literature or other sources and may suggest uses that are investigational in nature and not approved labeling or indications. Participants are encouraged to refer to primary references or full prescribing information resources.

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