Patent ductus arteriosus: an analysis of management

To compare differences in the management of the neonatal patent ductus arteriosus between neonatologists and paediatric cardiologists, physicians throughout the South-West were contacted. In treatment-refractory cases, neonatologists considered ligation less frequently than paediatric cardiologists (0% versus 40%; p<0.05) and held haemodynamic effects more important for ligation decisions [median: 5 (range 2-5) versus median: 4 (range 2-5); p<0.05]. Furthermore, 81% felt the current guidelines were insufficient.