Echocardiography
Studies have shown that echocardiographic evaluation is superior to clinical diagnosis of PDA-shunting in very pre-term infants. Hence, access to echocardiography is important.Neonatologist are able to learn echocardiography well enough to be first-line examiners.
However, close collaboration with pediatric cardiologists is important, to discuss the findings or to ask for a 2nd opinion.
There are some important aspects of echocardiography, the first being that every infants need a complete investigation including all structures of the heart and connecting vessels. It is not sufficient to learn only how to "see" an open duct.
There is only one way to learn echocardiography - you need to practise the real thing! A helping hand from an experienced examiner is of great value in the beginning of your training. I could also recommend the good multimedia CD-roms Practical Echocardiography for the Neonatologist produced by Nick Evans and Girvan Malcolm. Attending a course could also stimulate your own efforts, as reading the book Echocardiography for neonatologists edited by Jonathan Skinner.
PDA.se will collect echocardiographic video-clips and pictures of patent ducts. Please note that this function is still under construction.
You reach the Echocardiographic library here!