Hyperlipidemias and Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease

Course Overview
In the United States, more than 11% of the population 20 years of age and older have abnormally high concentrations of lipids in the plasma. It is well established that hyperlipidemia is associated with increased cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality. Furthermore, it is equally well established that reduction of plasma lipids has a beneficial effect on CV health in individuals potentially at risk and reduces occurrence of new events in patients that have experienced prior CV disease. This course will review pathophysiologic and epidemiologic studies that establish the role of dyslipidemias in the development of vascular pathology. In addition, an updated approach to the pharmacologic mechanism of action of lipid-lowering drugs will be discussed, including the therapeutic benefits of pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic approaches to lipid control. A review of guidelines for the evaluation of risk factors associated with hyperlipidemias will be provided, and current evidence-based guidelines for the therapy of hyperlipidemias will be thoroughly discussed. Finally, the importance of patient education, compliance to therapy, and lifestyle changes will be emphasized. 

Learning Outcomes 
Upon the completion of this course, the learner should be able to:

• Discuss the incidence of cardiovascular disorders, expected epidemiologic trends, and relevance to society and healthcare systems.
• Discuss the relevance of hyperlipidemias in the etiology of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases.
• Identify risk factors for hyperlipidemias.
• Describe the exogenous and endogenous pathways of lipid synthesis and metabolism.
• Describe the various types of lipoproteins.
• Evaluate lipid profiles and identify the most clinically relevant types of hyperlipidemias.
• Select an appropriate strategy for managing hyperlipidemia, including diet, lifestyle modification, and pharmacologic treatment.
• Discuss the targeting of specific steps in lipid synthesis and metabolism related to the mechanism of action of drugs that inhibit cholesterol absorption in the intestine.
• Describe the therapeutic efficacy and indications of fibrates, statins, and nicotinic acid derivatives.
• Determine the role of fish oil derivatives and sterols and stanols in the management of hyperlipidemias.
• Identify patients at risk for coronary heart disease and outline the evidence-based guidelines for the treatment of these patients.
   

About the Author/Presenter 
A. José Lança, MD, PhD, received his Medical Degree at the University of Coimbra in Coimbra, Portugal, and completed his internship at the University Hospital, Coimbra. He received his PhD in Neurosciences from a joint program between the Faculties of Medicine of the University of Coimbra, Portugal, and the University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada. He was a Gulbenkian Foundation Scholar and received a Young Investigator Award by the American Brain & Behavior Research Foundation. 

Dr. Lança participated in international courses and conferences on neurosciences. He has contributed to a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying the ontogenetic development of the brain opiatergic system. As a research scientist at the Addiction Research Foundation (ARF) in Toronto, he initiated research on the functional role played by dopaminergic cell transplants on alcohol consumption, leading to the publication of the first research reports on cell transplantation and modulation of an addictive behavior. Subsequently, he also investigated the role played by other neurotransmitter systems in the limbic system and mechanisms of reward, co-expression of classical neurotransmitters and neuropeptides and potential role in neuropsychiatric disorders. He is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology at the Faculty of Medicine and at the Faculty of Dentistry at the University of Toronto, where he lectures and directs several undergraduate and postgraduate pharmacology and clinical pharmacology courses. He was the Program Director for Undergraduate Studies in the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology of the University of Toronto. He has developed clinical pharmacology courses for the Medical Radiation Sciences and Chiropody Programs of The Michener Institute for Health Sciences at the University of Toronto.

Dr. Lança’s commitment to medical education started while a medical student, teaching in the Department of Histology and Embryology, where he became cross-appointed after graduation. In Toronto, he has contributed extensively to curriculum development and teaching of pharmacology to undergraduate, graduate, and medical students.
He has authored research and continuing education in peer-reviewed publications and is the author of six chapters in pharmacology textbooks. Dr. Lança has conducted research in various areas including neuropharmacology, pharmacology of alcoholism and drug addiction, and herbal medications.
He has developed and taught courses and seminars in continuing medical education and continuing dental education. His commitment to continuing education emphasizes an interdisciplinary approach to clinical pharmacology.

Audience/Accreditations and Approvals 
TRC Healthcare/ NetCE 
In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by TRC Healthcare/ NetCE. TRC Healthcare/NetCE is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team. 
This course is designed for the following healthcare professions (select your profession for details): 
Nursing, Pharmacy, Physician

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