What is the patent ductus arteriosus?

patent ductus arteriosus is a congenital heart state in which ductus, small opening or path between pulmonary and aortic valves present in all unborn children remains open or patent . In most cases, Ductus is closed within one day after birth. In the patent ductus arteriosus, however, Ductus remains open, causing blood mixing between two valves. Blood flows from left to right and creates blood overflow into the lungs through the lung valves. This may result in higher than normal lung pressure and can lead to high pulmonary pressure that can only be solved by lung transplant. In addition, the aortic valve sends not only oxygenated but also unoxened blood into the body, which over time can lead to poor growth and club clubing.

In most cases, the patent ductus arteriosus is so small that these effects are not significant. The card often the latter will regularly evaluate the newborn with the ductus arteriosus patent to see if Ductus closes himself. Doctors determine that ductus is still patented by hearing a heart murmur with a stethoscope.

If the newborn prosper, then the initial pediatric visits will continue to control this murmur. However, if a newborn shows poor growth, difficulty breathing or cyanosis, parents are referred to a pediatric cardiologist for complete diagnosis, usually through an echocardiogram. Most children with ductus arteriosus never need medical intervention because Ductus will eventually close.

patent ductus arteriosus, like most heart defects, is relatively unusual, with one remarkable exception. Premature infants have a high risk for this condition. In children with very low births, 30% patented ductus arteriosus may have.

Due to the non -routine in premature children, the effects are much more serious and often require timely repair. Any type of chIrurgical procedure performed in an early child has greater risks for bleeding, stroke and respiratory failure than operations performed in children with well -developed anatomy. However, the patent repairs do not pose a high risk and most are successful.

In older children, the repair of catheterization is generally chosen because it is considered to be minimally invasive and does not require overall anesthesia. The repair of catheterization inserts a small catheter into one of the main arteries, usually on the thigh. After reaching the ductus, the coil device is released on the upper part of the catheter. It successfully blocks Ductus and inhibits further blood exchange between lung and aortic arteries.

Spring coils technology has an excellent success. Most children who undergo this operation for their peers. Cardiologists may follow the child for some time to repair so that the ductus is completely closed. Propylaxis of antibiotics can also recommend before dental procedures. In general, however, there are no limitation of activity with a repaired patent ductus arteriosus and can be expected to live a normal and healthy life.