Patent ductus arteriosus



Patent ductus arteriosus





Description



  • Heart condition in which the lumen of the ductus (fetal blood vessel connecting the pulmonary artery to the descending aorta) remains open after birth (see Anatomy of patent ductus arteriosus)


  • Good prognosis if shunt is small or surgical repair is effective; otherwise, may advance to intractable heart failure, which may be fatal


  • Twice as common in females as in males


  • Also called PDA


Pathophysiology



  • The lumen of the ductus remains open after birth and creates a left-to-right shunt of blood from the aorta to the pulmonary artery, resulting in recirculation of arterial blood through the lungs.


  • PDA is prevalent in premature neonates; it probably results from abnormalities in oxygenation or the relaxant action of prostaglandin E, which prevents ductal spasm and contracture necessary for closure.


Causes



  • Associated with other congenital defects, such as coarctation of the aorta, pulmonary and aortic stenoses, and ventricular septal defect


  • Prematurity


  • Rubella syndrome


Assessment findings

Jul 20, 2016 | Posted by in NURSING | Comments Off on Patent ductus arteriosus

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