Patent Ductus Arteriosus

Overview

Mayo Clinic pediatric specialists have years of experience in treating children who have congenital heart defects such as patent ductus arteriosus. A team of medical experts coordinates a child's care, and ensures that all of the child's needs are met. The team includes experts in cardiology, heart surgery and pediatric radiology. Children who have had successful PDA closure should live long and healthy lives.

Diagnosis of PDA

Because of the turbulent blood flow from the high-pressure aorta to the low-pressure pulmonary artery, a patent ductus arteriosus causes a characteristic heart murmur that is heard during a physical exam. The condition of the heart and circulation are further evaluated using one or more of these diagnostic tests: echocardiogram, chest X-ray, electrocardiogram and cardiac catheterization. Read more about patent ductus arteriosus diagnosis.

Treatment Options

A small patent ductus arteriosus may close spontaneously as a child grows. A larger PDA that causes symptoms requires medical management and possibly surgical repair. There are two reasons to close a PDA. One, a large PDA pushes extra blood to the lungs, which may result in enlargement of the heart and, over time, heart failure. Second, treatment minimizes the risk of developing endocarditis, an infection in the heart. There are three treatment options: surgery, a transcatheter procedure and treatment with medication. Read more about patent ductus arteriosus treatment options.

About Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA)

The ductus arteriosus is a passageway between two major blood vessels: the pulmonary artery and the aorta. The pulmonary artery carries oxygen-poor (blue) blood from the heart's right side to the lungs, where it picks up a fresh supply of oxygen. The aorta carries the oxygen-rich blood from the heart's left side to the rest of the body. In some cases, this passageway remains open ("patent") after birth.