title: Learning to live with patency of the ductus arteriosus in preterm infants.
abstract: Treatment of persistent patency of the ductus arteriosus in preterm infants remains heterogeneous and controversial. Routine early treatment to induce ductal closure is not beneficial, but the potential criteria for, timing of, methods for and benefits of later ductal closure have not been determined. Management strategies for infants awaiting spontaneous closure or meeting criteria for treatment may be based on pathophysiological considerations but require evaluation in clinical trials. Better diagnostic tools allowing the identification of infants who might benefit from ductal closure, supplemented by data from clinical trials confirming realization of that potential, are urgently needed.
authors: Division of Neonatal and Developmental Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, 750 Welch Road, Palo Alto, CA 94305, USA. benitzwe@stanford.edu
authors: W E
authors: WE
authors: Benitz
mesh_terms: D004374:Ductus Arteriosus, Patent / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011654:Pulmonary Edema / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D012075:Remission, Spontaneous