patent ductus arteriosus
Also written as: PDA — patent ductus arteriosus
Persistent connection between aorta and pulmonary artery after birth, may require surgical closure.
Full Definition
A congenital heart defect where the ductus arteriosus, a normal fetal blood vessel connecting the aorta and pulmonary artery, fails to close after birth. In fetal circulation, this vessel allows blood to bypass the lungs, but should close within days of birth as pulmonary circulation becomes established. A patent ductus allows left-to-right shunting of blood, potentially leading to pulmonary overcirculation and left heart volume overload. Treatment options include pharmacologic closure with NSAIDs in neonates or surgical ligation for larger or persistent ducts.
Usage
Usage note: Commonly abbreviated as PDA; specify shunt direction and hemodynamic significance.
In Context
- "The premature infant underwent PDA ligation due to failed medical closure." — neonatal surgery note
- "Echocardiography confirmed a moderate patent ductus arteriosus with left-to-right shunt." — diagnostic report