A PDA, or patent ductus arteriosus, is a connection (called the ductus arteriosus) between the aorta and the pulmonary artery that doesn't close off after the baby is born. In utero, the baby depends on the ductus to get oxygen from the mother, since the lungs are not working (the baby doesn't breathe in utero). When the baby is born, there are hormonal changes in the baby that normally close off the ductus, since the baby is now breathing and no longer needs it. If the ductus remains open, it may cause an excessive amount of blood to go to the lungs. Depending on the size of the PDA and the condition on the lungs, the baby may have no symptoms, or be in severe heart failure. Patent ductus arteriosus is often closed in the cardiac catheterization laboratory by the insertion of specially designed coils. These coils sit in the PDA and expand to the point where they block all the blood flow.
Patent ductus arteriosus is the sixth most common congenital heart defect, occurring in 5 to10 percent of all children with congenital heart disease. Patent ductus arteriosus occurs twice as often in girls as in boys.
Patent ductus arteriosus is the sixth most common congenital heart defect, occurring in 5 to10 percent of all children with congenital heart disease. Patent ductus arteriosus occurs twice as often in girls as in boys.