Objective: To investigate variations in current UK practice for follow up management of children undergoing common interventional cardiology procedures.

Method
Design and setting: A standardised questionnaire was e mailed to all UK paediatric interventional cardiology consultants in all the 13 recognised units.
Main outcome measures: Follow up care for device closure of ASD, PDA and VSD were studied, regarding timings and frequency of follow up appointments, time to discharge, use of aspirin and endocarditis prophylaxis.

Results: All thirteen centres responded with 28 questionnaires returned. 88% of all interventional consultants responded. There was enormous variation in practice. After ASD and VSD closures 1st follow up appointment time varied from 1 week to 12 weeks. After PDA closure follow up varied from none to annual visits until 16 years of age. Discharge from follow up after ASD closure varied from 1 year post-procedure to lifelong follow up. All respondents agreed to lifelong follow up post VSD device closure. Aspirin duration following ASD closure varied from 6 weeks to 1 year, and 3 months to lifelong after VSD closure. There was no agreement on endocarditis prophylaxis.

Conclusion: Due to the lack of evidence based practice there is wide variation in follow up management leading to large differences in resource and cost implications. There is frequent variation between individuals in the same units as well as between units. There is a need for consensus guideline.