Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia: A Primer for Critical Care Nurses

Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia: A Primer for Critical Care Nurses is organized by American Association of Critical - Care Nurses (AACN) and will be held from Apr 04, 2020 - Jun 01, 2020. This Conference has been approved for a maximum of 1.00 Contact Hours.

Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia is a rare, autosomal dominant genetic disease that causes abnormal growth of blood vessels and, subsequently, life-threatening arteriovenous malformations in vital organs. Epistaxis may be one of the initial clues that a patient has more serious, generalized arteriovenous malformations. Recommended treatment involves careful evaluation to determine the severity and risk of spontaneous rupture of the malformations and the management of various signs and symptoms. The disease remains undiagnosed in many patients, and health care providers may miss the diagnosis until catastrophic events happen in multiple family members. Prompt recognition of hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia and early intervention can halt the dangerous course of the disease. Critical care nurses can assist with early diagnosis within families with this genetic disease, thus preventing early death and disability.

Objectives:
• Describe the pathophysiology and known causes of hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia.
• Identify the main physiological complications and treatment strategies of HHT.
• Discuss the nursing interventions to support HHT patients across the life span.

Additional details will be posted as soon as they are available.