Can a patent ductus arteriosus heal by itself?

Written by Xie Zhi Hong
Cardiology
Updated on September 16, 2024
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The ductus arteriosus is a duct that fetal blood must pass through as it is transported from the placenta to the aorta. This duct connects between the main pulmonary artery and the aorta of the fetus and generally closes on its own after birth. Most patients can close it spontaneously within three months, but the likelihood of closure diminishes if it surpasses one year. Therefore, for patent ductus arteriosus, some people can heal on their own, while others, especially children over one year old, cannot heal by themselves and are advised to undergo surgery as soon as possible. This is because the patent ductus arteriosus can cause a condition similar to an arteriovenous fistula, increasing the workload on the heart, leading to cardiac hypertrophy and eventual heart failure.

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Written by Di Zhi Yong
Cardiology
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Which is more serious, patent ductus arteriosus or ventricular septal defect?

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 Tang Li
Cardiology
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How to treat patent ductus arteriosus?

The arterial duct connects the main pulmonary artery to the descending aorta, serving as the primary channel for blood circulation during the fetal period. After birth, it generally becomes obstructed within a few months due to disuse; if it remains open after one year, it is referred to as patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). The length and diameter of an unclosed arterial duct vary, affecting hemodynamics differently, and consequently, prognoses differ. An unclosed arterial duct can easily induce infectious endocarditis; thus, even if the shunt is small, it is advisable to seek early interventional or surgical treatment. The surgery has a high safety success rate and can be performed at any age. However, surgery is contraindicated for patients who have developed secondary pulmonary artery obstruction and exhibit right-to-left shunting.

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Written by Di Zhi Yong
Cardiology
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Is surgery necessary for an unclosed arterial duct?

Patent ductus arteriosus is a type of congenital heart disease. Currently, surgical treatment is recommended for patients because it involves minimally invasive techniques. Additionally, post-surgery recovery is quick, and there are fewer complications. Particularly for this disease, medication is often not very effective and does not achieve the therapeutic goal. Surgical treatment can completely resolve the patient's issues, thereby reducing the frequency of recurrence and not affecting the child's growth and development. In the meantime, it is still vital to actively prevent respiratory infections.

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Written by Xie Zhi Hong
Cardiology
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Can you get pregnant with patent ductus arteriosus?

Patent ductus arteriosus refers to a congenital channel between the aorta and the pulmonary artery that fails to close. This can lead to a mixing of blood between the veins and arteries, thus deteriorating heart function. Generally, individuals with this condition can become pregnant after treatment. Patent ductus arteriosus is a congenital heart defect that does not have hereditary properties and does not prevent one from having children. However, it is advised for individuals with this condition to undergo surgical treatment before attempting to conceive and bear children. If the ductus arteriosus remains untreated, the increased heart load during late pregnancy can cause symptoms such as difficulty breathing and respiratory distress. It is recommended that these individuals undergo minimally invasive surgical treatment or conventional surgical treatment before planning for pregnancy, as this will be more appropriate.

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Written by Tang Li
Cardiology
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Why does patent ductus arteriosus cause a decrease in diastolic pressure?

In patients with patent ductus arteriosus, since the aortic pressure is significantly higher than the pulmonary artery pressure throughout the cardiac cycle, there is continuous blood flow from the aorta into the pulmonary artery through the open duct, causing a left-to-right shunt. This increases the blood volume in the pulmonary circulation, causing dilatation of the pulmonary artery and its branches. The blood flow returning to the left heart system also increases, thereby increasing the load on the left heart and causing the left heart to enlarge. Due to the diastolic diversion of blood from the aorta to the pulmonary artery, the peripheral arterial diastolic pressure decreases and the pulse pressure increases.