Which is more serious, patent ductus arteriosus or ventricular septal defect?

Written by Di Zhi Yong

Cardiology

Updated on September 21, 2024

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Both of these diseases are types of congenital heart disease, and if there are issues with either of them, the situation can be quite severe. There isn't a distinction between which disease is severe and which is not.

If the arterial duct remains open or does not close, surgery is still required for this condition. Patients with ventricular septal defect primarily display changes related to ischemia and hypoxia, and they may also experience recurrent respiratory infections, which are quite serious. Surgery is generally the best treatment. Early surgical intervention can achieve a complete cure, but it is also advisable for the patient to have regular echocardiographic check-ups at the hospital.

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Written by Di Zhi Yong

Cardiology

42sec

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Is a 4mm patent ductus arteriosus considered large?

Patent ductus arteriosus is a type of congenital heart disease. Generally, patients around the age of six months to one year may not necessarily have their ductus arteriosus close. If it does not close by around one year of age, it is considered a congenital heart disease, and it is recommended to seek early surgical treatment at a hospital. Surgery is needed if the condition exceeds approximately 4mm in size. If the patient currently shows no symptoms, it is possible to initially observe the condition. However, if symptoms persist, accompanied by palpitations, chest tightness, difficulty breathing, especially if respiratory infections recur, treatment is necessary.

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Written by Di Zhi Yong

Cardiology

35sec

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Does patent ductus arteriosus cause easy sweating?

The arterial duct is prone to sweating. During this period, it is best to advise patients to monitor changes in blood pressure, heart rate, and pulse. Sometimes there may be incidences of rapid heart rate, as this is a type of congenital heart disease. If a patient is prone to respiratory infections, especially pneumonia, this condition can lead to a decrease in resistance. For such patients with weak constitution, they are more likely to sweat. In terms of treatment, early surgical intervention is advised to alleviate the sweating, and preparations should be made early on.

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Written by Tang Li

Cardiology

1min 46sec

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What are the symptoms of patent ductus arteriosus?

Patients with patent ductus arteriosus may exhibit several clinical manifestations based on the amount of shunting. 1. Small shunt volume: The internal diameter of the patent ductus arteriosus is small, and the patient may exhibit no subjective symptoms. The prominent sign is a continuous machinery murmur heard at the left sternal border at the second intercostal space and below the left clavicle, accompanied by a thrill; pulse pressure may slightly increase. 2. Moderate shunt: Patients commonly experience fatigue, palpitations, shortness of breath, and chest discomfort after exertion. The heart murmur is similar in character to the above but louder, accompanied by a thrill, and widely transmitted. At times, diastolic and mild systolic murmurs caused by left ventricular enlargement, relative mitral valve insufficiency, and stenosis can be heard at the apex, with a positive vascular sign. 3. Large shunt volume: This condition in a patent ductus arteriosus often accompanies secondary severe pulmonary hypertension, leading to a right-to-left shunt. The typical murmur's diastolic component may diminish or disappear, followed by the disappearance of the systolic murmur, and only a diastolic murmur due to pulmonic valve insufficiency can be heard. Patients often exhibit cyanosis and severe clinical symptoms.

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Written by Xie Zhi Hong

Cardiology

1min 16sec

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Is patent ductus arteriosus related to pregnancy?

The ductus arteriosus is a vital conduit in the fetus during intrauterine life, connecting the blood from the placenta to the pulmonary artery and the aorta, enabling the placental blood to reach the aorta and supply blood to the entire body of the fetus. Usually, if the fetus is viable, there should be no issues, so the non-closure of the ductus arteriosus is not related to the pregnancy period. After the birth of the fetus, as the lungs expand and heart function changes, the ductus arteriosus will automatically begin to close. In the vast majority of infants, the ductus arteriosus will likely close after three months of birth. If it has not completely closed within one year, it is considered that the child has patent ductus arteriosus. Therefore, in most cases, patent ductus arteriosus is not related to the pregnancy period. There might be a small fraction of cases where it could be due to poor development during the pregnancy, preventing the timely closure of the ductus arteriosus; however, in most cases, it is unrelated to the pregnancy period.

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Written by Di Zhi Yong

Cardiology

39sec

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Does a patent ductus arteriosus easily lead to bronchitis?

Patent ductus arteriosus can lead to bronchitis, as this condition can cause recurrent respiratory infections, particularly bronchitis and bronchopneumonia. This is a type of congenital heart disease, and it is recommended that patients undergo regular echocardiography, especially cardiac ultrasound. If the closure of the patent ductus arteriosus is delayed, early surgical treatment is required. This condition can sometimes affect the growth and development of children, and it mainly causes repeated respiratory infections, including bronchitis, particularly issues with pulmonary inflammation, which require early management.