Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA)

James M. Meza, MD, Nicholas D. Andersen, MD, Robert D.B. Jaquiss, MD

Key Points

  • PDA results from the persistence of the ductus arteriosus, a fetal vessel connecting the pulmonary artery to the aorta, with variable anatomy depending on aortic arch configuration.
  • PDA is common in preterm infants, occurring in up to 33% of very low birth weight neonates, and is associated with increased risk of complications in this population.
  • Echocardiography is the primary tool for diagnosing PDA and assessing its hemodynamic significance, especially in premature infants.
  • Treatment options include pharmacologic (NSAIDs), catheter-based, and surgical closure, with catheter-based approaches now preferred in most children.
  • The most notable surgical risk is injury to the recurrent laryngeal nerve
  • Long-term outcomes after PDA closure are generally excellent.

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