A 29-year-old member asked:
When do you worry about a patent ductus arteriosus?
2 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in
Dr. Ed Friedlanderanswered
Pathology 46 years experience
Seldom: In a child whose ductus has not closed, the decision to try to induce closure with medication, or to ligate, is made by the physicians. An older child's patent ductus missed in infancy may be picked up as a murmur; it is not subtle, and usually needs treatment to prevent damage to the lungs and to enable junior to keep up in sports.
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1 comment
Dr. Ed Friedlander commented
Pathology 46 years experience
Provided original answer
To clarify -- there's almost never a need to "worry" this will be a long-term threat to health. There's much that can't be put into 400 words, and I agree with my colleague's suggestion that this be fixed by school age at the latest
Sep 11, 2012
Dr. James Fergusonanswered
Pediatrics 48 years experience
Fixed by school age: Pda's may require medicine closure or surgery in a frail premi . The energy drain from the excessive heart work may prevent progress in the nicu. In stable infants they are often watched. If they are missed or picked up in middle childhood, elective closure is often advised & can often be done through a catheter.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
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Similar questions
A 32-year-old member asked:
What are the symptoms of patent ductus arteriosus?
1 doctor answer • 7 doctors weighed in
Dr. Marco Paliottaanswered
Thoracic Surgery 32 years experience
Several symptoms. : A (p)persistent (d)ductus (a) allows blood to be shunted from the aorta to the pulmonary artery therefore causing more blood to go to the lungs. If the PDA is large, the increased blood flow to the lungs will determine a faster rate and work of breathing, the heart will enlarge and failure to thrive (grow appropriately). A PDA can and should be closed by a cardiologist or surgeon.
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Dr. Matthias Peuster commented
Pediatrics - Cardiology 11 years experience
Should be closed depending on the size of the ductus.
Dec 16, 2012
A 46-year-old member asked:
What are the tests for patent ductus arteriosus?
2 doctor answers • 15 doctors weighed in
Dr. Sarah Cuevaanswered
Pediatrics 23 years experience
Echocardiogram: An ultrasound of the heart, called an echocardiogram, can detect patent ductus arteriosus. This would generally be done by a cardiologist.
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A 33-year-old member asked:
What?Causes ?The patent ductus arteriosus?
2 doctor answers • 7 doctors weighed in
Dr. Joshua Murphyanswered
Pediatric Cardiology 21 years experience
Causes the PDA: The PDA is a critical vessel that allows the blood to bypass the lungs and get to the placenta while babys are still inside, in mom's uterus. The lungs are full of amniotic fluid and don't do any gas exchange (o2 delivery and co2 release)
eveyone is born with a pda, it persists... Open (patent) most commonly in premature babies.
There is no absolute answer as to why it stays open in some people.
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A 36-year-old member asked:
How do?You ?Treat patent ductus arteriosus?
3 doctor answers • 14 doctors weighed in
Dr. Joshua Murphyanswered
Pediatric Cardiology 21 years experience
PDA Age Dependent?: Pda closure (age dependent)
1. Premature infants (medical therapy vs surgical ligation by a pediatric cardiothoracic surgeon)
2. Babies to adults:
cath lab closure, using a coil or device.
Many different types and sizes of coils are available, delivered from a small catheter which is inserted in the femoral artery or vein.
Another option for large pdas is an aga PDA device or vascular plug.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 29-year-old member asked:
What is a patent ductus arteriosus?
2 doctor answers • 8 doctors weighed in
Dr. Joshua Murphyanswered
Pediatric Cardiology 21 years experience
Ductus Arteriosus: A ductus arteriosus is a vessel that allows babies to survive while in utero... It allows blood to bypass the lungs which are full of amniotic fluid and get to the placenta where gas exchange occurs.
A patent ductus arteriosus is simply a vessel that has not closed (patent) once born the lungs relax and the pressures fall. As such, extra blood goes to the lungs, inefficient work for the heart.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Nov 29, 2012
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