The ductus arteriosus is an opening between the 2 large blood vessels leading out of the heart to the body and lungs (the
aorta and the pulmonary artery). The ductus is present in all children before birth and normally closes shortly after birth.
This passageway allows blood to bypass the lungs since babies receive oxygen from their mothers through the placenta and don’t
use their lungs to breathe before birth. The blood can then go straight through the baby's system.
If the ductus arteriosus remains open after birth, it is called patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). This passage allows the oxygen-rich
blood to flow from the aorta back through the lungs. When the opening is large, babies can experience congestive heart failure.
They will have a murmur, and may develop chest infections more frequently than other babies. This defect is more common among
premature or low-weight babies, and occurs in about 1 in 2,500 infants.
| Patent Ductus Arteriosus |
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| An opening between two major arteries that stays open after birth results in oxygen-rich blood flowing from the aorta into
the pulmonary vessels. This means that more blood than necessary is reaching the lungs.
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How is patent ductus arteriosus treated?
Treatment is provided if the ductus arteriosus doesn’t close on its own. In premature babies, drugs like indomethacin can
be given to close the passageway. In older children, cardiac catheterization, or rarely surgical closure, can be used to close
the hole. This is done using coils or other closure devices. The treatment depends on the severity of the symptoms.
For some children, having this condition can actually be a good thing. If PDA exists along with another defect, it may be
the only way for blood to flow to the lungs or the body. If this is the case, it may be kept open on purpose until the main
defect is corrected. Prostaglandin is the drug used to keep the ductus open.
What is the long-term outlook for children with patent ductus arteriosus?
In the vast majority of cases, children who have a PDA repaired can be considered “cured.” In terms of complications, there
is a very low risk of the patent ductus returning. In the rare cases in which someone is diagnosed and treated for PDA in
adulthood, the risks are slightly higher.
