Patent Ductus Arteriosus PDA Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment

What Is Patent Ductus Arteriosus PDA?

Patent ductus arteriosus PDA is a congenital heart defect wherein the ductus arteriosus fails to close after birth.

This persistent opening between two major blood vessels leading from the heart, ductus arteriosus is a normal part of a baby’s circulatory system before birth that usually closes shortly after birth.

However, if it doesn’t, it is termed as a heart defect.

Causes Of Patent Ductus Arteriosus PDA:

There is no clear cause for PDA. However, it is speculated that environment and genetics may play a role.

The following factors increase the likelihood of developing PDA:

Premature birth.
Family history and other genetic conditions.
Rubella infection during pregnancy
Being born at a high altitude

Symptoms Of Patent Ductus Arteriosus PDA:

Some common symptoms of PDA include the following:

tachycardia (a heart rate exceeding the normal resting rate)
respiratory problems
dyspnea (shortness of breath)
continuous machine-like heart murmur
cardiomegaly (enlarged heart, reflecting ventricular dilation and volume overload)
left subclavicular thrill
bounding pulse
widened pulse pressure
poor growth
Differential cyanosis, i.e. cyanosis of the lower extremities but not of the upper body.