Patent Ductus Arteriosus

Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is a condition where a temporary blood vessel near an unborn baby's heart, the ductus arteriosus, fails to close after birth. (The blood vessel normally closes after birth because it is no longer needed). The word "patent" means open.

Causes, Incidence, And Risk Factors of Patent Ductus Arteriosus:

Before a baby is born, blood flow normally bypasses its lungs because oxygen and nutrients are received from the placenta and the umbilical cord. After birth, when the infant begins to breathe, two structures in the heart -- the foramen ovale and the ductus arteriosus -- close in order to deliver fully oxygenated blood to the body.

If the ducts do not close at birth, some of the blood in the left side of the heart will go to the lungs instead of into general circulation. Patent ductus arteriosus can occur in both premature and full-term infants. Usually symptoms are mild, but they become more pronounced if not corrected by the age of 2. Risk factors of patent ductus arteriosus are prematurity and respiratory distress syndrome. The incidence is 1 in 2500-5000 infants.

Treatment of Patent Ductus Arteriosus

In premature infants, an attempt is made to close the patent ductus by fluid restriction and prostaglandin inhibitors (e.g., indomethacin). Surgical ligation (tying) of the patent ductus is undertaken if these steps do not close the ductus.

In full-term infants, surgical ligation of the patent ductus is recommended if heart failure develops. If the infant doesn't have symptoms, the surgery is postponed until 6 months to 3 years of age, unless problems develop.

Other treatments for patent ductus arteriosus include closing the ductus with plugs or coils. These are deployed through catheters placed in arteries in the groin. Intravascular coils are often used for the treating small PDAs.

Learn more about patent ductus arteriosus at the Brenner Children’s Hospital web site.

Patent Ductus Arteriosus