Patent ductus arteriosus

Overview

The ductus arteriosus is a passage between two major blood vessels, the artery that carries oxygen-poor blood from your heart to your lungs (pulmonary artery) and the artery that carries oxygen-rich blood from your heart to your body (aorta). The ductus arteriosus is present in everyone during fetal development before birth. The ductus arteriosus usually closes one or two days after birth, but sometimes it remains open (patent) after birth. If the ductus arteriosus remains open, it's called a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA).

If the ductus arteriosus is patent, blood flows from the aorta into the pulmonary artery and goes to the lungs. A small PDA may cause no harm, but if there is a large enough connection between the aorta and the pulmonary artery, the pressure in the pulmonary artery may increase and the heart may dilate and work harder.

Why choose Mayo Clinic for patent ductus arteriosus

• Experience. Mayo Clinic doctors trained in heart conditions (cardiologists), doctors trained in treating children with heart conditions (pediatric cardiologists), doctors trained in heart surgery (cardiovascular surgeons) and others have experience evaluating and treating children and adults with patent ductus arteriosus and other congenital heart diseases.
• Team approach. Mayo Clinic doctors work together to give you or your child coordinated care.
• Diagnostic tests. Mayo Clinic doctors diagnose patent ductus arteriosus and other congenital heart diseases using several tests, including echocardiogram, electrocardiogram, cardiac catheterization and others.
• Treatment expertise. Mayo Clinic doctors have expertise treating patent ductus arteriosus with many options. Doctors often use a less invasive catheter procedure to treat a PDA. Doctors may use surgery, medication or other options to treat a PDA.
• Congenital heart disease treatment. Mayo Clinic cardiologists and others have experience treating congenital heart diseases, including patent ductus arteriosus. Staff in the Center for Congenital Heart Disease at Mayo Clinic in Minnesota treats children and adults with congenital heart disease. Children needing hospitalization receive care at Mayo Eugenio Litta Children's Hospital at Mayo Clinic in Minnesota.
• Research. Mayo Clinic doctors study potential diagnostic tests and treatments for patent ductus arteriosus and other congenital heart diseases and conduct clinical trials.

Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., is ranked among the Best Hospitals for heart and heart surgery by U.S. News & World Report. Mayo Clinic also ranks among the Best Children's Hospitals for heart and heart surgery.

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At Mayo Clinic, we assemble a team of specialists who take the time to listen and thoroughly understand your health issues and concerns. We tailor the care you receive to your personal health care needs. You can trust our specialists to collaborate and offer you the best possible outcomes, safety and service.

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Read more about diagnosis and treatment of patent ductus arteriosus.

Related book: Mayo Clinic Healthy Heart for Life! book provides an easy-to-follow plan to prevent and conquer heart disease.