Pharmacogenomics in Practice: Cardiology (2025)

Pharmacogenomic (PGx) implementation is increasing in the US, especially in cardiology where there is wide variability in medication response and strong evidence of the impact of genetic variation on medication outcomes. Commonly prescribed cardiovascular medications like clopidogrel, statins, and warfarin have Clinical Pharmacogenetics Implementation Consortium (CPIC) and/or FDA have PGx-based prescribing guidance. However, clinicians report low knowledge and confidence in using PGx information for adjusting dose or drug selection. This barrier must be overcome by clinicians who are responsible for integrating PGx into their practice to achieve positive outcomes. Learning objectives were carefully developed to achieve the NHGRI's Genome Education genomic education competency standards for all healthcare professionals.  Cardiology practitioners will achieve these competencies through this enduring training and learn to make clinical decisions that impact cardiovascular medication prescribing. 

Pharmacogenomics in Practice: Cardiology

A 1.5-hour, self-paced, online training for clinicians seeking to integration pharmacogenomics (PGx) in their cardiology practice.

Integrating PGx into your cardiology practice

Presented by: James Coons PharmD, FCCP, FACC, BCCP

  • Introduction and clopidogrel PGx
  • Statin PGx
  • Warfarin PGx
  • Beta-blockers PGx and conclusion

Target Audience

All healthcare professionals, including: Nurses, Nurse Practitioners, Pharmacists, Physicians and Physician Assistants.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to:

  • Identify gene-drug pairs with high level of evidence in cardiology.
  • Describe how PGx variation affects the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of cardiovascular agents.
  • Review seminal clinical trial data impacting PGx implementation in cardiology.
  • Recognize the availability of evidence-based PGx guidelines relevant to the prescribing of antiplatelets, statins, warfarin, and beta blockers.
  • Explain how patient factors (ancestry, treatment intensity, concomitant therapy, etc) are integrated into PGx algorithms.
  • Give examples of clinical situations when PGx is likely to be useful in cardiology.
  • Identify specific challenges to PGx implementation in cardiology.

Disclaimer Statement:

The information presented at this activity represents the views and opinions of the individual presenters, and does not constitute the opinion or endorsement of, or promotion by, the UPMC Center for Continuing Education in the Health Sciences, UPMC / University of Pittsburgh Medical Center or Affiliates and University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.  Reasonable efforts have been taken intending for educational subject matter to be presented in a balanced, unbiased fashion and in compliance with regulatory requirements. However, each program attendee must always use his/her own personal and professional judgment when considering further application of this information, particularly as it may relate to patient diagnostic or treatment decisions including, without limitation, FDA-approved uses and any off-label uses.

Course summary
Available credit: 
  • 1.50 AAPA Category I CME
  • 1.50 ACPE Pharmacy
    The UPMC Center for Continuing Education in the Health Sciences is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) as a Provider of continuing pharmacy education.
  • 1.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
    The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
  • 1.50 ANCC
    UPMC Provider Unit is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation
  • 1.50 Attendance
Course opens: 
04/28/2025
Course expires: 
04/28/2028
Test2Learn
United States

Faculty:

Planning Committee:

  • James Coons, PharmD (University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy, Pittsburgh, PA)
  • Jill Bates, PharmD, MS (University of North Carolina Medical Center, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Chapel Hill, NC)
  • Lucas Berenbrok, PharmD, MS (University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy, Pittsburgh, PA)
  • Deepak Voora, MD (Duke University School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Durham, NC)
  • Trina Walker, DNP, APRN, FNP-C (Creighton University, Ohmaha, NE)
  • Nguyen Park, MS, PA-C, DFAAPA, (Wayne State University, Detroit, MI)

Course Director:

Philip Empey, PharmD, PhD, FCCP (University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy, Pittsburgh, PA)

Presenter:

  • James Coons, PharmD (University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy, Pittsburgh, PA)

Conflict of Interest Disclosure:

Dr. Coons discloses that he receives grant/research support from Heart Rhythm Society, and Bristol Myers Squibb. He is a consultant for Merck, Bristol Myers Squibb, AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson.

No other planners, members of the planning committee, speakers, presenters, authors, content reviewers and/or anyone else in a position to control the content of this education activity have relevant financial relationships to disclose.

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In support of improving patient care, the University of Pittsburgh 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.

Physician (CME)
The University of Pittsburgh designates this enduring material activity for a maximum of 1.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit[s]™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Nursing (CNE)
The maximum number of hours awarded for this Continuing Nursing Education activity is 1.5 contact hours.

Physician Assistant (AAPA)
The University of Pittsburgh has been authorized by the American Academy of PAs (AAPA) to award AAPA Category 1 CME credit for activities planned in accordance with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 1.5 AAPA Category 1 CME credits. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation.  

Pharmacy (CPE)
This knowledge-based activity provides 1.5 contact hours of continuing pharmacy education credit.

Other health care professionals will receive a certificate of attendance confirming the number of contact hours commensurate with the extent of participation in this activity.

Available Credit

  • 1.50 AAPA Category I CME
  • 1.50 ACPE Pharmacy
    The UPMC Center for Continuing Education in the Health Sciences is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) as a Provider of continuing pharmacy education.
  • 1.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
    The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
  • 1.50 ANCC
    UPMC Provider Unit is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation
  • 1.50 Attendance
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