NOTE: This module is currently in the process of being updated and recertified, and so does not currently offer CME. A fully updated module eligible for CME is expected to be available Fall 2024.

Steven L. Cohn, MD, MACP, SFHM

If you are a Program Director and would like to grant access to your trainees, please reach out to education@hospitalmedicine.org for an academic access code.

SUMMARY

Perioperative cardiac complications are the most widely feared medical issues for the anesthesiologist, surgeon, and medical consultant as they approach a patient in the perioperative period. Only recently have management strategies been addressed in high-quality studies. The following module explains the roles of medical and interventional treatments in lowering perioperative cardiac event rates. This module also discusses the typical presentation of coronary syndromes postoperatively and the management of antiplatelet and cardiac medications.

GOAL

To provide hospitalists with current management strategies to reduce the risk of perioperative cardiac events.

TARGET AUDIENCE

This activity is designed for hospitalists. No prerequisites required.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES 

After participating in this module, the participant will demonstrate the ability to:

1. Analyze the evidence for beta-blocker therapy in the management of patients at elevated perioperative risk for cardiac events.
2. Assess the role for statins in perioperative cardiac risk reduction.
3. Discuss the importance of continuing cardiac medications in the perioperative setting and the role of clonidine, aspirin, and nitrates in reducing perioperative cardiac risk.
4. Evaluate the role for coronary interventions in preoperative patients with documented ischemia on noninvasive cardiac testing.
5. Discuss the perioperative management of antiplatelet therapy for patients with cardiac stents.
6. Elucidate the typical presentation of postoperative myocardial infarctions and realize the utility of screening measures.

ACCREDITATION STATEMENTS

The American Osteopathic Association (AOA) has approved this activity of the Society of Hospital Medicine for 2 AOA Category 2-B CME credits.

The Society of Hospital Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

CREDIT STATEMENT DESIGNATION

The Society of Hospital Medicine designates this activity for a maximum of 2.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)^TM. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Release Date: 12/17/2018    Expiration Date: 12/17/2021 

Estimated time to complete: 2 hours

CONFLICT OF INTEREST DISCLOSURE POLICY

In accordance with the ACCME Standards for Commercial Support, SHM requires that individuals in a position to control the content of an educational activity disclose all relevant financial relationships with any commercial interest. SHM mitigates all conflicts of interest to ensure independence, objectivity, balance, and scientific rigor in all its educational programs. All relevant financial relationships shall be disclosed to participants prior to the start of the activity.

Furthermore, SHM seeks to verify that all scientific research referred to, reported, or used in a continuing medical education (CME) activity conforms to the generally accepted standards of experimental design, data collection, and analysis. SHM is committed to providing its learners with high-quality CME activities that promote improvements in healthcare and not those of a commercial interest.

INSTRUCTIONS

The following is an interactive educational module designed to help you gauge your basic knowledge of the topic and then direct you to areas you may need to focus on. It consists of several sections: a pre-test, a study program, a post-test, & CME evaluation. All sections must be completed to receive CME credit.