This is a blood vessel between the aorta and the pulmonary artery that is normally open before birth but usually closes soon after birth. When it stays open after birth, it is called a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA).
Types of Patent Ductus Arteriosus
PDA can be classified based on its shape using the Krichenko classification, which is determined through cardiac catheterization. It can also be categorized by size, depending on the degree of shunting and clinical significance.
Symptoms of Patent Ductus Arteriosus
A small PDA often causes no symptoms other than a heart murmur, but in rare cases, it can lead to an infection in the heart called endocarditis. A large PDA can cause heart failure, frequent respiratory infections, and poor growth. Over time, it may also lead to pulmonary hypertension.