Diabetic Retinopathy, Clinical Pearls for Cardiologists

Presented By:		Robert J. Chilton, DO, FACC, FACP Professor of Medicine The University of Texas Health Science Center Director, Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory Director, Electrophysiology Laboratory Audie L. Murphy VA Hospital San Antonio, Texas

Program Description:	This CME activity consists of an educational component (ie, slides, audio lecture, newsletter) in an electronic format, followed by an online post-test. Estimated time to complete this activity, including review of materials, is 30 minutes.
General Information:	Requirements for Successful Completion: This CME activity consists of an educational component (ie, slides, audio lecture, newsletter) in an electronic format, which is followed by an online post-test. There is no fee to participate in this CME activity or to receive CME credit. Certificates are awarded upon successful completion (80% proficiency) of the post-test. In order to receive credit, participants must view the presentaion in its entirety. Media: Internet Release Date:    July 24, 2009 Expiration Date:  July 23, 2011
Target Audience:	Clinical Cardiologists, Endocrinologists, Certified Diabetes Educators, Family Practice/General Physicians, Internal Medicine Physicians, Medical Directors, Nephrologists, Nurse Practitioners, Primary Care Physicians, Physician Assistants, Specialty Physicians, Nurses, Pharmacists
Program Overview:	Type 2 diabetes Mellitus(T2DM) is the number one cause of blindness in the United States. While hyperglycemia is a well known contributor to the deleterious microvascular effects in the eye, less has been reported about the high correlation to coronary heart disease mortality. Diabetic retinopathy increases the production of permeability factors such as VEGF and histamine, leading to increased vascular hyperpermeability, which, in turn promotes neovascularization and leading to increased bleeding in the eye. Evidence supports the connection between the renin angiotensin aldosterone system (RAAS) and diabetes microvascular disease; therapies that modulate the RAAS (ACE inhibitors and specific AT-1 blocking agents) have the potential to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, both in the heart and eye. This CME activity will highlight the need for global cardiovascular risk reduction in order to reduce the macrovascular and, specifically, microvascular effects of diabetic retinopathy.
Learning Objectives:	a. Demonstrate a link between hyperglycemia and retinopathy b. Define the role of RAAS modulation in inflammation c. Cite clinical trial data supporting intensive glucose control and the reduction of incident retinopathy
Faculty Disclosure:	The University of Florida College of Medicine has a conflict of interest policy that requires course faculty to disclose any real or apparent commercial financial affiliations related to the content of their presentations/materials. It is not assumed that these financial interests or affiliations will have an adverse impact on faculty presentations; they simply are noted here to fully inform participants. Dr Chilton has indicated that he has a financial arrangement or affiliation with GlaxoSmithKline, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Pfizer Inc, and Takeda Pharmaceuticals Company. The types of affiliations/financial interests are grant/research support, consultant agreements, and honoraria.
Continuing Medical Education Credit:
	Accreditation
	The University of Florida College of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
	Credit
	The University of Florida College of Medicine designates this educational activity for a maximum of .50 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
	This continuing education activity was planned in accordance with the ACCME essentials and reviewed by Carl J. Pepine, MD, Program Chair.
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Commercial Support:	This CME activity is supported by an educational grant from sanofi-aventis U.S.
System Requirements:	In order to view the presentation, your computer must have a media player such as Windows Media Player, Quicktime, or RealOne.
CME Contact:	For any question regarding this Internet CME activity, please contact the Office of Continuing Medical Education at 352-265-8081.
	The University of Florida College of Medicine has received permission to use this copyrighted material within a CME activity on the internet.

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