TEXAS PEDIATRIC SURGICAL ASSOCIATES
Surgeons for Infants, Children, and Adolescents
(832) 325-7234

PATENT DUCTUS ARTERIOSUS (PDA)

What is the ductus arteriosus?

The ductus arteriosus is a wide muscular blood vessel joining the pulmonary artery (main artery to the lungs) to the aorta (main artery to the body). This connection allows blood to be diverted from the lungs into the aorta during fetal development since the baby does not breathe until after delivery. The ductus arteriosus normally closes after birth. If it fails to close, PDA (patent or open ductus arteriosus) occurs and blood continues to flow from the aorta to the pulmonary artery. The effects of this altered circulation are :

  • increased work of breathing
  • increased workload on the heart
  • fluid in the lung
  • right heart enlargement
  • increased lung workload

normal heart

heart with patent ductus arteriosus
Diagram of the normal heart: blood flows from the left ventricle, into the aorta, and then out to the rest of the body. Diagram of a heart with a PDA (patent ductus arteriosus): blood flows from the left ventricle, into the aorta, and then into the pulmonary artery (instead of going to the body where it is needed).

How is a PDA (patent ductus arteriosus) treated?

In small or premature babies, medicine may be used first to try to close the ductus arteriosus. In some cases medicine does not work or cannot be used and the ductus arteriosus must be closed surgically. Surgical correction includes closure of the PDA through a left thoracotomy incision (left underarm). The ductus is closed with a clip or is tied shut. In older children, medical treatment does not work. The ductus can be closed surgically or, in some children, a device placed through the artery into the ductus can be used.

En Espaņol

The information above, although based on a thorough knowledge and careful review of current medical literature, is the opinion of the doctors at Texas Pediatric Surgical Associates and is presented to inform you about surgical conditions. It is not meant to contradict any information you may receive from your personal physician and should not be used to make decisions about surgical treatment. If you have any questions about the information above or your child's care, please contact our doctors at any time by calling (832) 325-7234.

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