Original Release Date: July 1, 2009
Expiration Date: July 1, 2012
5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES FOR EACH TOPIC

TOPIC 1: Acute ST- Elevation Myocardial Infarction - Upon completion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Relate the differences in plaque morphology to the differences between stable angina and acute coronary syndromes.
2. Identify the patient with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction, including the use of newer markers of cardiac injury.
3. Recognize those treatment strategies that reduce mortality, and the importance of minimizing time delay.
4. Recognize and treat complications of acute infarction.
5. Assess post-infarction risk.

TOPIC 2: The Evaluation and Management of Syncope - Upon completion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Present a strategy to differentiate the causes of a syncopal event.
2. Review an evidence-based algorithm to evaluate recurrent syncopal episodes.
3. Review the diagnostic tests available for the evaluation of recurrent syncopal episodes and their appropriate use.
4. Review the therapeutic options for recurrent syncope.

TOPIC 3: Cardiac Emergencies: Pulmonary Edema, Shock - Upon completion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Differentiate cardiac from non-cardiac pulmonary edema.
2. Differentiate between chronic and acute heart failure.
3. Outline beneficial therapies for acute pulmonary edema.
4. Define cardiogenic shock in hemodynamic and clinical terms.
5. Generate a differential diagnosis for shock.
6. Recognize the importance of revascularization in the patient with shock due to acute myocardial infarction.

TOPIC 4: Overview of the Current Management of Nosocomial Infections - Upon completion of this session, the participant should be able to:

1. Review the recent trends in the epidemiology and anti-microbial resistance patterns of common hospital acquired infections.
2. Categorize the various types of hospital acquired infections and their common presentations.
3. Describe the appropriate management of hospital acquired infections.
4. Evaluate potential strategies to prevent hospital acquired infections.