Patent Ductus Arteriosus
Also written as: PDA — Patent Ductus Arteriosus
Persistence of the fetal ductus arteriosus after birth, creating abnormal communication between aorta and pulmonary artery.
Full Definition
Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) is a congenital heart defect characterized by the persistence of the ductus arteriosus, a fetal blood vessel that normally closes within days after birth. This results in abnormal communication between the descending aorta and left pulmonary artery, causing left-to-right shunting of blood. PDA is particularly common in premature infants and may be associated with other congenital anomalies. Clinical presentation includes continuous 'machinery' murmur, congestive heart failure, and failure to thrive in severe cases. Treatment options include pharmacological closure with indomethacin or ibuprofen in neonates, or surgical ligation. Surgical approaches include traditional open thoracotomy or video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for ductus division.
Usage
Usage note: PDA is the standard abbreviation in clinical documentation.
In Context
- "Echocardiography confirmed a moderate-sized patent ductus arteriosus with left-to-right shunting." — Cardiology consultation
- "Thoracoscopic ligation was performed for the hemodynamically significant PDA." — Operative report