A congenital defect in which the ductus arteriosus fails to close.
A congenital condition in which the ductus arteriosus does not close, allowing blood into the circulation without having passed through the lungs.
The ductus arteriosus remains open after birth, allowing oxygenated blood back into the lungs through the foramen oval; characterized by thrill, fremitus, and signs of congestive heart failure.
Persistence, after birth, of a communication between the main pulmonary artery and the aorta. This condition in preterm infants has been treated successfully with drugs, such as indomethacin, that inhibit prostaglandin synthesis.
A congenital anomaly characterized by the persistence of the fetal temporary blood vessel connecting the left pulmonary artery to the aorta, which fails to close after birth.
A cardiac anomaly characterized by the failure of the ductus arteriosus (a passage connecting the pulmonary artery and the aorta in the fetus) to seal after birth.
During fetal development, blood propelled by the right heart travels through the ductus arteriosus, bypassing the lungs. Ordinarily, the ductus arteriosus closes shortly after birth, redirecting blood from the right ventricle (lower chamber) of the heart to the lungs. However, in certain infants, this closure might not occur as intended, leading to a patent ductus arteriosus. In this condition, a portion of the blood normally pumped by the left heart, which should circulate throughout the body, is rerouted through the ductus to the lungs. Consequently, the heart must exert more effort than usual to adequately supply blood to the body.
Patent ductus arteriosus typically remains asymptomatic, unless a substantial volume of blood is redirected. In such instances, the infant might struggle to gain weight, experience breathlessness during physical activity, and be susceptible to frequent chest infections. Over time, this can lead to the development of heart failure.
The diagnosis is established by detecting a heart murmur, interpreting chest X-rays, and conducting an ECG and echocardiography. Closure of the duct can be achieved through the administration of indomethacin or surgical intervention.