Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is a common congenital birth defect in which the temporary blood vessel, called ductus arteriosus, fails to close soon after birth. When the dustus arteriosus remains open after birth, the oxygen –rich blood from the aorta merges with oxygen-poor blood in the pulmonary artery causing complications such as pulmonary hypertension (increase in blood pressure in the lungs)
Symptoms
- Sweating with crying or eating
- Rapid and heavy breathing
- Rapid heart rate
- Fatigue
- Poor growth
- Little interest in feeding
Diagnosis
- Physical examination
- Echocardiogram
- ECG
- Chest X-ray
Treatment
- Medications
- Open-heart surgery
- Catheter procedures
