Innovations In Managing Patent Ductus Arteriosus

accreditation and certification

Occurring frequently in preterm babies, patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) affects as many as 30% of babies weighing less than 1500 g at birth. The result can be life-threatening cardiac and pulmonary problems that drive the need for treatment. Some studies suggest that if left untreated, PDA can lead to serious complications in later life.

Clinicians have several options available in the management of PDA. These options include surgical and medical approaches. Intravenous cyclooxygenase inhibitor therapy has been a cornerstone of medical therapy, especially when used early. Intravenous indomethacin has been associated with some safety considerations. A newer pharmacologic option, intravenous ibuprofen lysine, has been approved by the FDA. This treatment may offer similar efficacy and an enhanced safety profile.

In this on-demand program, the expert faculty will review key epidemiologic and clinical issues involved with PDA; discuss the benefits and risks of surgical and medical therapies; compare drug therapies including indomethacin and intravenous ibuprofen; describe the role of prostaglandin inhibitors; and discuss pharmacologic options and pharmacoeconomic issues.

Intended Audience
This activity was developed for neonatologists, pharmacists, nurses, nurse practitioners and other clinicians treating patients with patent ductus arteriosus.

Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to:
Review key epidemiologic, pathophysiologic, and clinical issues involving PDA
Examine various PDA treatment options
Evaluate clinical pharmacology, experience and considerations involved with
the pharmacologic options used in treating PDA
Discuss the role of IV cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitor therapy in PDA

Accreditation and Certification
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint sponsorship of the Annenberg Center for Health Sciences at Eisenhower and Akita Biomedical Consulting. The Annenberg Center is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The Annenberg Center designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credittm. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

The Annenberg Center for Health Sciences at Eisenhower is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education. This program has been developed according to the ACPE Criteria for Quality and is assigned ACPE Universal Program #797-999-07-006-H04. This program is designated for up to 1 contact hour (0.1 CEU) of continuing pharmacy education credit.

Annenberg Center for Health Sciences is approved as a provider of nurse practitioner continuing education by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. Provider #040207. The Annenberg Center designates this program for 1 contact hour of continuing education.

Annenberg Center for Health Sciences is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.
A maximum of 1 contact hour may be earned for successful completion of this activity.

Provider is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider #13664, for 1 contact hour.

There is no charge for this activity. Statements of Credit will be provided by mail following activity participation, and upon completion and return of the evaluation form to the Annenberg Center for Health Sciences. Please allow 4-6 weeks for the delivery of your statement.

Disclosure
It is the policy of the Annenberg Center to ensure fair balance, independence, objectivity, and scientific rigor in all programming. All faculty participating in sponsored programs are expected to identify and reference off-label product use and disclose any significant relationship with those supporting the activity or any others whose products or services are discussed. Full disclosure will be made in the syllabus.

If you need reasonable, special accommodations or have questions about access to any of our activities, please contact Pam Davidson by phone at 800-321-3690, by fax at 760-773-4550, or by e-mail to . All requests must be received at least 14 days in advance of the intended activity start date.

This activity is supported by an independent educational grant from Ovation Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

This activity is an enduring material and consists of a Web page activity. Successful completion is achieved by reading and viewing the material, reflecting on its implications in your practice, and completing the assessment component.

The estimated time to complete the activity is 1 hour.

This activity was originally released in December 2007 and is eligible for credit through December 2008.