Evidence Based Pharmacotherapy Update for Primary Care

 An Evidence-Based Heart Failure Review: “You’re in pretty good shape for the shape you are in” Dr. Seuss
Objectives: 1) Discuss new pathophysiology findings surrounding heart failure and relate it to the shape of the heart 2) List the new American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology staging criteria for heart failure 3) Recognize which forms of heart failure affect predominantly the elderly and gender differences in heart failure type and prevalence 4) Identify differences in systolic and diastolic heart failure in terms of pathophysiology and approach to treatment 5) Identify the appropriate dose and important safety considerations for medications commonly utilized in patients with heart failure 6) Interpret historical and recent clinical trial findings and their impact on heart failure treatment recommendations 7) Identify medications that may exacerbate and/or precipitate heart failure.

A Comprehensive, Evidence-Based Review of Atrial Fibrillation and Anticoagulation
Objectives: 1) Discuss the different type of research papers that provide outcomes that change the practitioner’s practice of medicine (Disease-oriented versus Patient-oriented) 2) Discuss the pathophysiology of atrial fibrillation 3) Discuss the potential use of aspirin in atrial fibrillation 4) Discuss the new anticoagulants and their place in therapy 5) Discuss a comprehensive review of warfarin, detailing the medications history, pharmacotherapy, pharmacokinetics, side effects, and drug interactions 6) Discuss new evidence (POEMS) surrounding anticoagulants and their use in coronary artery disease and atrial fibrillation. Trials to be discussed, but not limited to: ACTIVE-A, ACTIVE-W, WARSS, CAPRIE, CHARISMA, MATCH, RELY, RECORD, ROCKET-AF, ATLAS, and others

A Comprehensive, Evidenced-Based Review of Treating Pain and Suffering
Objectives: 1) Discuss the various classes of narcotics and any clinical pearls associated with each drug 2) Describe an oral pain ladder based on potency. List evidence-based efficacy outcomes for all medications discussed 3) Discuss the recent FDA alerts on acetaminophen and propoxyphene 4) Describe the role of analgesic adjunctive agents for patients with chronic pain. Dosage and efficacy will be discussed 5) Analyze cases that allow conversion of one narcotic to another 6) Discuss pain medications where the benefit is not worth the risk of side effects and or addiction 7) Review side effects of each drug and describe ways the practitioner can aid in reducing these side effects