Anemia is common in surgical patients. Many orthopedic procedures are performed in an elderly patient population, where anemia is even more prevalent. Orthopedic procedures, such as spine surgery and total hip arthroplasty, also involve significant blood loss, which further increases the risk of anemia. The World Health Organization defines anemia as hemoglobin (Hb) concentrations < 12 g/dL in women and < 13 g/dL in men. Significantly lower levels are, however, frequently seen in patients during the perioperative period. The prevalence of anemia is highly variable, depending on the patient population, but may be as high as 40% in older patients.1 Understanding the physiological and clinical implications of anemia is critical for the perioperative management of surgical patients. Furthermore, anemia has a very significant prognostic value because it is associated with important outcomes.

Family Physicians (FPs) are familiar with the barriers to effective screening and management of lipid abnormalities, and generally familiar with clinical practice guidelines to improve cardiovascular outcomes using a combination of lifestyle modification and pharmacotherapy. However, evidence for solutions to these barriers, including better patient adherence, and better targeting of at-risk patients, are needed to help FPs improve their practice performance for lipid management. Such evidence will help FPs to identify and treat patients at higher risk and to stratify management accordingly. Research information is currently emerging on ethnic and gender disparities in lipid risk factors, screening and management as well as the varying profiles of different statins.

More than one million patients will be hospitalized with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) this year. Hospitalization represents an important milestone in the natural history of heart failure. Without aggressive inpatient and post-discharge management, the index hospitalization marks the beginning of progressive morbidity and a series of hospital readmissions. Therefore, treatment decisions made during hospitalization will shape the long-term care of patients with ADHF, influencing patient disposition, potential complications, morbidity, mortality, length of stay, and healthcare costs.

Upon hospital presentation, making a definitive and rapid diagnosis of heart failure is critical to initiating effective care. Proper risk-stratification utilizing the most effective prognostic indicators – such as troponin levels, B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), and renal function status— can help in determining etiology of ADHF, the severity of congestion, and patient prognosis. In addition, proper discharge planning and post-discharge support are key to reducing mortality, morbidity, and hospital readmission. Throughout treatment, adhering to evidence-based guidelines on the assessment and management of ADHF may also improve short- and long-term outcomes in this patient population.

In this webinar, three leading experts on the diagnosis and treatment of ADHF will review guidelines on the management of ADHF; discuss the most effective prognostic indicators used in the risk-stratification of patients with ADHF; describe new treatment options for the inpatient management of ADHF; and outline optimal strategies in discharge planning and post-discharge care for patients with ADHF.

An online program captured during the recent CME/CE Certified Breakfast Symposium held during the Twelfth Congress of Chest Pain Centers. Upon completion of this activity, participants will be able to describe how the updated ACC/AHA guidelines for the management of STEMI and NSTEMI differ from previous guidelines. Apply the updated ACC/AHA guidelines when treating patients presenting with NSTEMI and STEMI. Assess ways to dose antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapy to maximize efficacy and minimize bleeding risks for those undergoing PCI and for those undergoing fibrinolysis. Summarize the optimal dose and duration of antiplatelet therapy for patients undergoing PCI.