Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes; also known as e-cigs, electronic nicotine delivery systems, vapes, mods, pods, and vape pens) have surged in popularity since their market introduction in 2007. Some view e-cigarettes as a less harmful alternative to traditional cigarettes and a potential harm reduction strategy. Others worry about their addictive potential and see them as a setback in our quest for a tobacco-free society.

Guest Authors: Elizabeth S. Yett, PharmD, BCACP, CTTS and Kirk E. Evoy, PharmD, BCACP, BC-ADM, CTTS

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Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are underdiagnosed due to the underuse of spirometry, underreporting of symptoms, and economic barriers.  Is there an effective way to capture undiagnosed but symptomatic patients and route them for appropriately managing their respiratory symptoms?  That's what the UCAP study attempted to answer.

Guest Authors:  Michelle Balli, PharmD, BCACP and Michelle Hernandez, PharmD

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Despite advances in the management of acute myocardial infarction (MI), up to 38% of patients will experience signs of heart failure (HF) and many have a reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors have well-documented cardiovascular benefits. However, data are limited regarding their use after an acute MI.

Guest Authors: Amy Hu, PharmD and Kathleen Pincus, PharmD, BCPS, BCACP, CDCES

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One of the most debilitating aspects of dementia is the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) that impact nearly 90% of patients. These symptoms significantly diminish the quality of life and functional abilities of those affected. To combat the most severe of these symptoms, antipsychotic medications are often prescribed, but not without possibly harmful consequences. A new study sheds additional light on these detrimental consequences.

Guest Authors:  Melissa C. Palmer, PharmD, BCPS, BCPP and Jessa Marie Koch, PharmD, APh, BCPP

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It is still difficult for patients to quit despite their best efforts. Of the nearly 70% of current smokers who want to quit smoking, only about 7.5% succeed.  Unfortunately, there is a lack of evidence to inform subsequent treatment strategies if the initial quit attempt is unsuccessful.

Guest Authors:  Elizabeth Yett, PharmD, BCACP, TTS and Katherine Montag Schafer, PharmD, BCACP, CDCES

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Reason for Visit: The patient is a 76-year-old Hispanic referred to the ambulatory care pharmacist for dyslipidemia management.  The patient has a remote history of an MI (15 years ago) but states he is unable to take statins.

Guest Authors: Mayela Warner, PharmD and Maricar Conson, PharmD, BCPS

Expert Panelists: Sara Wettergreen, PharmD, BCACP, BC-ADM and Tomasz Jurga, PharmD, BCPS, BCACP, BCCP, CDCES

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Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors are one of the established treatments used to slow the progression of CKD and improve outcomes.  Could perhaps the glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists provide similar, additive, or different benefits in patients with CKD? 

Guest Author: John Swegle, PharmD, BCPS, BCACP 

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Over the last several decades, the popularity of cannabis (aka marijuana, weed) has increased significantly, and the recognition of medical benefits is evolving. Cannabis is often celebrated in popular culture as a relaxation-promoting, pain-relieving, harmless substance, and its use among young adults and pregnant women is increasing steadily.  A recently published ancillary analysis of the Nulliparous Pregnancy Outcomes Study: Monitoring Mothers-to-Be (nuMoM2b) aimed to characterize the association between maternal cannabis use and adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Guest Author: Courtney Cameron, PharmD, BCACP

Special Guest: Leah Sera, PharmD, MA, BCPS

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This episode is a collaboration between the ACCP Ambulatory Care Practice and Research Network (PRN) ... and iForumRx.org.

We speak with three panelists who describe the use of remote patient monitoring within their cardiology practices.  From measuring weight, blood pressure, heart rate, blood glucose, and even pulmonary artery pressure, the use of remote patient monitoring devices has the potential to revolutionize patient care by making more data available "real-time" and engaging patients more in their care.  Nonetheless, there are significant barriers too. 

Panelists:  Christine Cadiz PharmD, BCPS; Rachel Klosko, PharmD, BCCP, and Aimon Miranda, PharmD, BCPS

Produced by  Rebecca Khaimova, PharmD, BCACP, CDCES and Anna K Love, PharmD, BCACP

Music by lemonmusicstudio from Pixabay

It is now uncommon to see warfarin therapy initiated for stroke prevention. However, quality patient care is never a “one-size-fits-all” approach.  New evidence from the FRAIL-AF trial suggests that some of our most vulnerable older adults might be better off maintained on a vitamin K antagonist rather than (automatically) switched to a direct oral anticoagulation (DOAC).  

Guest Author:  Matthew Cantrell, PharmD, BCPS

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