Patent Ductus Arteriosus

Description

Ductus arteriosus is a communication between main pulmonary artery and aorta in fetus allowing blood to flow from main pulmonary artery  to aorta. Persistence of this ductus defect after birth is called Patent ductus arteriosus. It produces left to right shunt.It is commonly seen in infants who are hypoxic at birth with high incidence in premature infants as they are more likely to be hypoxic and can be responsible for cardiopulmonary deterioration leading to ventilatory and ionotropic support. PDA can be closed surgically by ligation or interventionally by device closure.