Overview

The beneficial effects of renin angiotensin system (RAS) modulation in hypertensive patients are clearly documented. However, many of these patients still do not receive optimal therapy. In addition, questions continue to emerge surrounding the best strategy for modulating RAS, as well as the potential benefits of combining RAS modulators for particular patient groups. This CME program will address these clinical questions and increase physician understanding of the relative benefits, efficacy, and applications of different RAS modulating agents - alone or in combination. This increased understanding of the broad therapeutic benefits of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs), angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), and direct renin inhibitors (DRIs), should allow physicians to improve clinical outcomes in their at-risk patients.

Faculty

	Faculty	Faculty Disclosures
	Matthew R. Weir, MD (Chair) Professor and Director Division of Nephrology University of Maryland School of Medicine Baltimore, MD	Matthew R. Weir, MD, FACS Consultant: Bristol-Myers Squibb, MSD, Novartis, Boehringer-Ingelheim Grant/Research Support: National Institutes of Health, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
	William J. Elliott, MD, PhD Professor of Preventive Medicine and Internal Medicine Rush University School of Medicine Chicago, IL	William J. Elliott, MD, PhD Officer/Trustee/Board/Committee Member: Novartis, Bristol-Myers Squibb/Sanofi- Synthelabo Partnership, Pfizer Inc. Consultant: Novartis, Bristol-Myers Squibb/Sanofi- Synthelabo; Pfizer Other: Lederle Laboratories, Eli Lilly, Sanofi-Synthelabo, Forest Pharmaceuticals, Rhone-Poulenc Rorer
	Jan N. Basile, MD Professor of Medicine Division of General Internal Medicine/Geriatrics Medical University of South Carolina Charleston, SC	Jan N. Basile, MD Grant/Research Support: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Boehringer Ingelheim, Novartis Consultant: Abbott Laboratories, Boehringer Ingelheim, Forest, Novartis, Daiichi-Sankyo Speakers Bureau: Abbott Laboratories, AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Forest, GlaxoSmithKline, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, Daiichi-Sankyo
	Norman K. Hollenberg, MD, PhD Director, Division of Physiologic Research Department of Radiology Brigham and Women's Hospital Boston, MA	Norman K. Hollenberg, MD, PhD Officer/Trustee/Board/Committee Member: Novartis, Merck Consultant: Merck Grant/Research Support: Novartis, MARS Pharmacuetical Study

Target Audience

This program was developed for nephrologists, internists, cardiologists, endocrinologists, and pharmacologists.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this activity, participants should be able to:

1.	Identify the distinguishing features and mechanisms of each of the different therapeutic options to inhibit the RAS
2.	Discuss evidence from primary and secondary prevention trials on the impact of RAS modulation on CVD risk and in patients with heart failure or nephropathy
3.	Review clinical trial data evaluating the use of combination therapy with two RAS modulators
4.	Demonstrate the ability to develop a treatment strategy utilizing RAS modulators to improve clinical outcomes of at-risk patients

Accreditation Statement

The American Society of Hypertension, Inc. is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Designation Statement

The American Society of Hypertension, Inc. designates this educational activity for a maximum of 2 AMA PRA Category 1 credit(s)™. Each physician should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Disclosure Statement

The American Society of Hypertension, Inc. strives to insure balance, independence, objectivity, and scientific rigor in all of its scientific activities. All participants in such activities are expected to disclose to the program audience any real or apparent conflict(s) of interest that may have a direct bearing on the subject matter of the session in which they are participating. This pertains to relationships, in place at the time of the activity or in the twelve (12) months preceding the activity, with pharmaceutical companies, biomedical device manufactures, or other corporations whose products or services are related to the subject matter of the presentation topic.

The following staff members of the Potomac Center for Medical Education involved in the development of content for this activity disclosed that they have no relevant financial relationships: Barry Watkins, PhD, Medical Science Liaison, Stephanie Stowell, MPhil, Medical Writer, Donna Fucello, Vice President, Clinical Education Division & Accreditation Services, Blair St. Amand, Editor, Dana Simpler, MD, external medical reviewer.

FDA Disclosure

The contents of some CME/CE activities may contain discussions of non-approved or off label uses of some agents mentioned. Please consult the prescribing information for full disclosure of approved uses.

Sponsored by

Supported through an educational grant from the Novartis Pharmaceutical Corporation

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