Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is when the ductus arteriosus remains open after birth.
The ductus arteriosus is an opening between the two large blood vessels leading out of the heart to the body and lungs (the aorta and the pulmonary artery). Before birth, all babies have this opening. Babies receive oxygen from their mothers through the placenta and do not use their lungs to breathe before birth. The ductus arteriosus allows blood to bypass the lungs and go straight through the baby's system.
The ductus arteriosus normally closes shortly after birth. If it remains open after birth, it is called patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). This passage allows 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. It occurs in about one in 2,500 babies.
How is patent ductus arteriosus treated?
Treatment is provided if the ductus arteriosus does not 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.