This educational program consists of three presentations on lipoprotein(a) (Lpa).

This course consists of the following:

• Why worry about high Lp(a) and how to assess Lp(a) levels? - Pia Kamstrup, MD, PhD – Copenhagen, Denmark
• Is there a role for PCSK9 inhibition in patients with high Lp(a)? - Prof. Vera Bittner, MD - Birmingham, AL, USA
• Novel strategies to lower Lp(a) - Prof. Sam Tsimikas, MD – San Diego, CA, USA

After watching these three videos, the learner should be able to:

• Describe the relationship between plasma Lp(a) levels and different types of CVD
• Discuss the challenges in determining plasma Lp(a) levels
• Recall the findings from post-hoc analyses of FOURIER and ODYSSEY OUTCOMES on the relationship between PCSK9 inhibition, plasma Lp(a) levels and CV risk
• Describe recommendations on Lp(a) in clinical guidance documents from scientific societies
• Describe a suitable approach to lower Lp(a) levels
• Reproduce findings from early studies with apo(a) antisense and details of newer trials

Expert faculty

• Pia Kamstrup is Head of Department at the Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, Copenhagen University Hospital, Denmark.
• Vera Bittner, MD is professor at the dept. of medicine, division cardiovascular disease at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL, USA.
• Sam Tsimikas, MD is Professor of Medicine and Director of Vascular Medicine at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine, San Diego, CA, USA.
• Chair of this educational program: Erik Stroes, MD is Professor of Vascular Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Target audience

This educational activity is designed for cardiologists in secondary care and other healthcare professionals with an interest in Lp(a).

CME accreditation

This online course is accredited by the European Board for Accreditation in Cardiology (EBAC) for 1 hour of external CME credit.

Through an agreement between the European Board for Accreditation in Cardiology and the American Medical Association, physicians may convert EBAC External CME credits to AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Information on the process to convert EBAC credit to AMA credit can be found on the AMA website. Other health care professionals may obtain from the AMA a certificate of having participated in an activity eligible for conversion of credit to AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™.

Funding

Funding for this educational program was provided by an unrestricted educational grant from Sanofi and Novartis.