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  • Fourth Annual Symposium on Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis and Gadolinium - Based Contrast Agents

    May 14 - 15, 2010
    The New York Academy of Sciences

    Presented by Yale School of Medicine and the New York Academy of Sciences

    In 1997, a new disease was recognized among patients with pre-existing renal dysfunction. Now known as Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF), the disorder is known to be highly associated with, and very likely triggered by, gadolinium based magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents (GBCA). As such, it is a man-made disease, very likely a hitherto uncharacterized fibrosing toxicity to heavy metal deposition in the human body. Much of what we know about NSF stems from the NSF Registry at Yale University, and, in recent years, an annual scientific meeting on NSF hosted at Yale.

    The May 2010 Fourth Annual Meeting on NSF and GBCA will have several goals. As the 4th meeting represents a change in venue from New Haven, CT to New York City, a very important aspect will be introducing the disease to a new, and much larger community of practitioners and scientists, chiefly in nephrology, radiology, rheumatology, dermatology and pathology. The introductory sessions will provide the historical context of NSF—how it was discovered, the mechanics of how it is diagnosed, and the significance of gadolinium micro-detection. The core of the meeting will focus on the mechanism of fibrosis in NSF—these derived from animal and tissue culture studies. The discussion will be broadened to include known mechanisms of tissue fibrosis (systemic and organ specific) and potential targets of pharmacologic therapy. Lastly, we will examine the lessons learned from NSF: the current state of prevention, and practical strategies for using GBCA wisely in those at risk.

    Overall, the breadth of discussions will extend from the cells and atoms responsible for NSF to the entire population at risk, and therapeutically and mechanistically from the scientific bench-top to the bedside. Of greater importance, perhaps, is the impact this work will have on the fundamental understanding of fibrosis in general, opening up new avenues of understanding into disease mechanisms previously thought to be unchallengeable by medicine.

    For more information about this symposium, please go to the Yale CME website.

    Symposium Co-Chairs

    Ali K. Abu-Alfa, MD

    Yale School of Medicine

    Shawn Cowper, MD

    Yale School of Medicine
    The International Center for Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis Research

    Scientific Program Director

    Richard Bucala, MD, PhD

    Yale School of Medicine

    Clinical Program Director

    Jeffrey Weinreb, MD

    Yale School of Medicine

    Consulting Faculty and Program Content Reviewer

    Marcus W. Bosenberg

    Yale School of Medicine

    Learning Objectives

    Participants who attend this conference will be able to:

    • • Receive updated information on the diagnosis and treatment of NSF.
    • • Review current understanding of the pathophysiology of NSF .
    • • Recognize important differences among the various GBCA.
    • • Discuss the impact on patient care and practice management.
    • • Discuss strategies to identify patients with kidney disease who might be at risk.


    Accreditation Statement

    The Yale School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

    The American Medical Association has determined that physicians not licensed in the US who participate in this CME activity are eligible for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™.

    Designation Statement

    The Yale School of Medicine designates this educational activity for a maximum of 12 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

    Disclosure Policy

    It is the policy of Yale School of Medicine, Continuing Medical Education, to ensure balance, independence, objectivity and scientific rigor in all its educational programs. All faculty participating as speakers in these programs are required to disclose any relevant financial relationship(s) they (or spouse or partner) have with a commercial interest that benefits the individual in any financial amount that has occurred within the past 12 months; and the opportunity to affect the content of CME about the products or services of the commercial interests. The Center for Continuing Medical Education will ensure that any conflicts of interest are resolved before the educational activity occurs.

    Presented by

    Related Event

    Inaugural Global Fibrosis Foundation Fundraising Dinner
    May 14, 2010 | 8:00PM

    Separate from the scientific symposium, the Global Fibrosis Foundation will hold their inaugural fundraising event. For information and to reserve tickets please visit http://www.globalfibrosis.org/funds.html or contact Carol Hribko at hribko.globalfibrosis@gmail.com.

    *Image kindly donated by Shawn Cowper: Heart muscle (red) entwined in fibrous collagen (blue) from a young NSF patient (Trichrome stain)
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