Is a patent ductus arteriosus funnel type severe?

Written by Xie Zhi Hong
Cardiology
Updated on September 18, 2024
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The arterial duct is a pathway through which blood from the maternal placenta is delivered to the fetus. This pathway usually closes at birth, and in most cases, it successfully closes within three months. If it remains open after one year, it can be diagnosed as a patent ductus arteriosus. The shapes of the arterial duct include funnel-shaped, tubular, and window-type. Regardless of the type, if it does not cause serious cardiac complications, it can be addressed with interventional treatments or surgical procedures, making it a relatively non-severe condition. However, if the patent ductus arteriosus remains open for a long time, leading to severe pulmonary arterial hypertension and even left-to-right shunts causing serious cardiac dysfunction, it is considered severe. Therefore, the shape of the patent ductus arteriosus does not have diagnostic significance regarding the severity of the condition. Rather, the severity is assessed based on the patient's symptoms, evaluation of cardiac function through echocardiography, and the condition of pulmonary artery pressure. In the early stages, most cases of patent ductus arteriosus are not very serious and can be resolved through treatment.

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Written by Xie Zhi Hong
Cardiology
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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
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Is it easy to get pneumonia if the arterial duct is not closed?

Because patent ductus arteriosus is a type of congenital disease, particularly congenital heart disease, it is recommended that patients visit a hospital for a cardiac ultrasound. This can help clarify the diagnosis and thus determine the treatment plan. A simple patent ductus arteriosus can sometimes close on its own. For those that do not close or are underdeveloped, surgical treatment can be used to alleviate the current condition. This is important because the disease can easily lead to pneumonia, especially recurrent respiratory infections. Sometimes, there may be developmental anomalies, particularly affecting the growth and changes in the child's height and weight. In these cases, early surgical treatment is still recommended.

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Written by Xie Zhi Hong
Cardiology
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Can you have children if you have a patent ductus arteriosus?

The ductus arteriosus refers to a channel in the fetus that, before birth, allows blood from the maternal placenta to enter the fetus's aorta through the ductus arteriosus and then circulates the blood throughout the body. This channel closes after birth, and in the vast majority of people, it closes within a year. If it remains open until reproductive age, surgery is required because an open ductus arteriosus can lead to deteriorating heart function and, in severe cases, can cause heart failure. Therefore, women with an open ductus arteriosus can have children after treatment. An open ductus arteriosus is not a hereditary disease, and regardless of whether it is present in males or females, it is not genetic and they can have children.

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Written by Di Zhi Yong
Cardiology
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Is an 8mm patent ductus arteriosus severe?

Since patent ductus arteriosus is a congenital heart disease, it is recommended that patients have regular echocardiographic re-examinations. For the majority, this condition can close on its own. However, if it does not close, surgical treatment is necessary. Currently, the patient's patent ductus arteriosus has reached about 8 millimeters, which is quite severe. It is advised to seek early surgical treatment at a hospital to alleviate the symptoms. Presently, there are no medications available to treat this disease, and surgical treatment is the primary approach. Early surgical intervention at a hospital is advisable.

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Written by Xie Zhi Hong
Cardiology
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Will patent ductus arteriosus show signs of peripheral vascular disease?

Peripheral vascular signs refer to a medical sign characterized by enhanced pulsation of the peripheral arteries and capillaries due to increased pulse pressure. Patients with a patent ductus arteriosus can experience increased pulse pressure, leading to rapid rises and falls in pressure within the peripheral vessels, thereby causing a series of peripheral vascular signs. When a patent ductus arteriosus is combined with peripheral vascular signs, indicating a substantial shunt, it is advisable for such individuals to undergo surgery as soon as possible. Delaying surgery may lead to a right-to-left shunt, resulting in Eisenmenger's syndrome, and the loss of the opportunity for surgical intervention.