The ductus arteriosus connects the pulmonary artery and the descending aorta; it is described as persistent if it remains open 1 month after the estimated delivery date, if it remains patent blood flows from the aorta to the pulmonary artery(left to right shunt)
Commonin preterm neonates due to a defect in the constriction of the duct following birth
Usually asymptomatic
Large ducts may be symptoms of heart failure and pulmonary hypertension
Continuous machinery murmur beneath the left clavicle
ECG: usually normal
Chest X-Ray: usuallynormal but large ducts may have increased pulmonary
vasculature
Echo: Assessfor structural abnormality and confirm defect
Treatment:
Conservative Management: May closes pontaneously
Medical: Treat symptoms of heartfailure, Indomethacin – a prostaglandin
inhibitor to assistin closure in infancy
Surgical: Ligation may be required if medical management fails
Heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, bacterial endocarditis, Eisenmenger
Syndrome
Good prognosis once the PDAhas closed, however if untreated then
development of Eisenmenger Syndrome is a lifethreatening complication