Overview
Explore how Familial Hypercholesterolemia (FH), and its most severe form, Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia (HoFH), serves as a valuable model for understanding the diagnosis and management of severe hypercholesterolemia across its full genetic and clinical spectrum, given its distinct monogenic basis and the serious cardiovascular consequences of untreated, markedly elevated LDL cholesterol. This program is designed for cardiologists, lipidologists, endocrinologists, internists, and other clinicians involved in the diagnosis and management of dyslipidemias and inherited lipid disorders. It will also be of value to primary care providers, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, dietitians, and genetic counselors who encounter patients with severe hypercholesterolemia or who play a role in coordinating multidisciplinary care.
Details
Statement of Need
Severe hypercholesterolemia, defined as LDL-C ≥190 mg/dL, poses significant clinical challenges, including premature and accelerated atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. While frequently polygenic or multifactorial in origin, Familial Hypercholesterolemia (FH) represents a common monogenic form affecting an estimated 1 in 250 individuals, and its most severe variant, Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia (HoFH), presents with untreated LDL-C levels typically exceeding 400 mg/dL. Many clinicians feel underprepared to manage severe hypercholesterolemia effectively, with low familiarity with current guideline recommendations, limited use of tools for differentiating monogenic FH from polygenic disease, and low awareness of emerging therapies and indications for genetic testing. This program uses FH and HoFH as an illustrative framework to enhance understanding of the full spectrum of severe hypercholesterolemia through expert presentations, patient perspectives, and interactive discussion.
Learning Objectives
- Describe the spectrum of hypercholesterolemia and recognize its clinical significance across the continuum of cardiovascular risk.
- Apply current guideline-directed strategies for LDL-C risk stratification and goal attainment in patients with hypercholesterolemia.
- Summarize current and emerging pharmacologic treatments for severe hypercholesterolemia, including PCSK9 inhibitors and novel LDL-C lowering therapies.
- Incorporate patient perspectives and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to improve care for patients with severe hypercholesterolemia.
- Describe the mechanism of CRISPR-based gene editing for LDL-C reduction, summarize current clinical evidence, and discuss its potential role in the future management of severe hypercholesterolemia.
- Differentiate monogenic familial hypercholesterolemia, including HoFH, from polygenic and multifactorial causes of severe hypercholesterolemia using clinical and genetic information.
Target Audience
This activity is designed for cardiologists, endocrinologists, lipidologists, internists, primary care providers, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, registered dietitians, genetic counselors, and clinical pharmacists who encounter patients with hypercholesterolemia or who play a role in coordinating multidisciplinary care.
Accreditation Statement
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of Postgraduate Institute for Medicine (PIM) and the Cardiovascular Institute of Philadelphia. In support of improving patient care, Postgraduate Institute for Medicine 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.
AMA: PIM designates this live activity for a maximum of 2.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
AAPA: PIM designates this activity for 2.00 AAPA Category 1 CME credits. Physician Associates should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
ANCC: PIM designates this activity for 2.00 ANCC contact hours. Nurses should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
ACPE: PIM designates this continuing education activity for 2.00 contact hour(s) (.20) of the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education. Universal Activity Number – pending
Unlabeled Use Disclosure
Faculty of this CME/CE activity may include discussions of products or devices that are not currently labeled for use by the FDA. The faculty have been informed of their responsibility to disclose to the audience if they will be discussing off-label or investigational uses (any uses not approved by the FDA) of products or devices. PIM, the faculty, planners, and Cardiovascular Institute of Philadelphia do not endorse the use of any product outside of the FDA labeled indications. Medical professionals should not utilize the procedures, products, or diagnosis techniques discussed during this activity without evaluation of their patient for contraindications or dangers of use.
This activity is supported by independent educational grants from the following funders:
Chiesi, USA Inc.
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Kaneka Medical
Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals
