Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA): Pathophysiology & Consequences
PDA = failure of the fetal ductus arteriosus (aorta ↔ pulmonary artery shunt) to close after birth.
Results in left-to-right shunt → pulmonary overcirculation → heart failure, poor growth, recurrent respiratory infections, pulmonary vascular disease (Eisenmenger if untreated).
Management
- Preterm: IV indomethacin/ibuprofen (prostaglandin inhibition).
- Term/older: Transcatheter device closure or surgical ligation.
Early closure prevents irreversible pulmonary hypertension.
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