“May all be happy, may all be healed, may all be at peace and may no one ever suffer."
Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is a heart condition that occurs when a small blood vessel called the ductus arteriosus, which is normally present in the fetus and closes shortly after birth, remains open. This opening allows oxygen-rich blood to mix with oxygen-poor blood, which can strain the heart and lungs and lead to complications.
Symptoms of PDA may include a rapid or heavy breathing rate, difficulty feeding or gaining weight, and a pounding or racing heart rate. In some cases, there may be no symptoms at all.
PDA can be diagnosed through physical examination, imaging tests such as echocardiography or X-rays, and other diagnostic tests such as electrocardiograms or cardiac catheterization.
Treatment for PDA may involve medications such as indomethacin or ibuprofen to help close the opening, or surgical or minimally invasive procedures to close the opening using a device or sutures. In some cases, PDA may close on its own without treatment.
Complications of PDA can include heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, and endocarditis, which is an infection of the heart lining. Regular follow-up care and monitoring by a healthcare provider is important to manage symptoms and prevent complications for people with PDA.