The intended result of this activity is increased knowledge. At the conclusion of this program, participants will have gained significant knowledge in the following areas –

• Discuss recent scientific advances in lipid management and the use of statins for acute and chronic coronary artery disease.
• Review newer pharmacologic platforms for ST elevation MI.
• Describe advances in the medical and interventional treatment of unstable angina and non-Q wave MI.
• Determine the appropriate use of CT and MRI/MRA for diagnosing cardiovascular disease.
• Summarize recent findings of clinical trials and their indications for current and future medical therapy for heart failure.
• Discuss latest findings related to pathogenesis of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and its treatment.
• Understand new surgical options with robotic surgery, and its role in modern day surgical practice.
• Assess the latest surgical devices available to treat acute, decompensated heart failure patients.
• Recognize the potential therapeutic options with stem cell therapy for cardiovascular disease including congestive heart failure.
• Highlight new advances in electrophysiology, including biventricular pacing, defibrillation, and ablation.
• Explain the role of inflammation and inflammatory markers in the current view of atherosclerotic disease.
• Discuss how genes are being used to identify patients at risk for premature MIs.
• Address ways nanotechnology can be used in the future to enhance diagnostic imaging.  

James T. Willerson, MD
Texas Heart Institute
Houston, Texas

Texas Heart Institute is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Texas Heart Institute designates this enduring material for a maximum of 8 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

The estimated time to complete this activity, including review of the materials is 8 hours.

Date of Online Release: September 5, 2007.

Repurposing Statement
If you previously completed and received credit for the live CME-sponsored Symposium entitled, 7th Texas Update in Cardiovascular Advancements on July 28-29, 2007 or for the similarly titled course on CD-ROM, please note that you will not receive credit for completing this activity. Participants who take part in an identical activity, even in order to validate learning or to clarify specific topics, cannot claim, nor will the Texas Heart Institute award, duplicate credit for the activity. While learning benefits may be accrued by revisiting learning materials presented in Internet-based, self-directed activities, ultimately participants are still satisfying the activity’s learning objectives for which they were originally awarded credit.

Term of Approval
September 5, 2007 through September 5, 2010. Continuation of CME credit from September 5, 2010 depends on a thorough review of the content for currency and accuracy.

Peer Review
In September 2007, this continuing medical education activity was reviewed for currency and accuracy of content by James J. Ferguson III, MD, FACC—Associate Director, Clinical Cardiology Research, THI; Co-Chairman, Medical Education Committee, THI; Chairman, Research Committee, THI. Houston, Texas.

Disclosure of Relationships
It is the intent of the Texas Heart Institute to ensure that its educational mission and its continuing medical activities in particular, should not be influenced by the special interests of individuals associated with its program.

Faculty Disclosure
In accordance with the guidelines of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education, faculty members have disclosed their relationships, either with one or more of the manufacturers of commercial products discussed, or with one or more of the corporate organizations offering educational grants for this continuing medical education activity.

Each faculty disclosure statement is posted in the individual slide presentation.

This enduring material comprises 14 audio/visual presentations. By clicking on this course materials link, you acknowledge that you have reviewed the CME information provided above. After viewing all presentations, you may complete an assessment and evaluation to obtain CME credit for this activity.