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What happens if PDA is left untreated?

A small patent ductus arteriosus often doesn't cause problems and might never need treatment. However, a large patent ductus arteriosus left untreated can allow poorly oxygenated blood to flow in the wrong direction, weakening the heart muscle and causing heart failure and other complications.

mayoclinic.org - Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic

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Overview

Patent ductus arteriosus Open pop-up dialog box Close Patent ductus arteriosus Patent ductus arteriosus Patent ductus arterious, shown in the heart on the right, is an abnormal opening between the aorta and the pulmonary artery. A normal heart is shown on the left. Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is a persistent opening between the two major blood vessels leading from the heart. The opening (ductus arteriosus) is a normal part of a baby's circulatory system in the womb that usually closes shortly after birth. If it remains open, it's called a patent ductus arteriosus. A small patent ductus arteriosus often doesn't cause problems and might never need treatment. However, a large patent ductus arteriosus left untreated can allow poorly oxygenated blood to flow in the wrong direction, weakening the heart muscle and causing heart failure and other complications. Treatment options for a patent ductus arteriosus include monitoring, medications, and closure by cardiac catheterization or surgery.

Symptoms

Patent ductus arteriosus symptoms vary with the size of the defect and whether the baby is full term or premature. A small PDA might cause no signs or symptoms and go undetected for some time — even until adulthood. A large PDA can cause signs of heart failure soon after birth. Your baby's doctor might first suspect a heart defect during a regular checkup after hearing a heart murmur while listening to your baby's heart through a stethoscope.

A large PDA found during infancy or childhood might cause:

Poor eating, which leads to poor growth

Sweating with crying or eating

Persistent fast breathing or breathlessness

Easy tiring

Rapid heart rate

When to see a doctor

Tires easily when eating or playing

Isn't gaining weight

Becomes breathless when eating or crying

Always breathes rapidly or is short of breath

Causes

Congenital heart defects arise from problems early in the heart's development — but there's often no clear cause. Genetic factors might play a role. Before birth, an opening that connects two major blood vessels leading from the heart — the aorta and pulmonary artery — is necessary for a baby's blood circulation. The connection diverts blood from a baby's lungs while they develop, and the baby receives oxygen from the mother's circulation. After birth, the ductus arteriosus normally closes within two or three days. In premature infants, the opening often takes longer to close. If the connection remains open, it's referred to as a patent ductus arteriosus. The abnormal opening causes too much blood to flow to the baby's lungs and heart. Untreated, the blood pressure in the baby's lungs might increase (pulmonary hypertension) and the baby's heart might enlarge and weaken.

Risk factors

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Risk factors for having a patent ductus arteriosus include:

Premature birth. A patent ductus arteriosus occurs more commonly in babies who are born too early than in babies who are born full term. A patent ductus arteriosus occurs more commonly in babies who are born too early than in babies who are born full term. Family history and other genetic conditions. A family history of heart defects and other genetic conditions, such as Down syndrome, increase the risk of having a PDA . A family history of heart defects and other genetic conditions, such as Down syndrome, increase the risk of having a . Rubella infection during pregnancy. If you contract German measles (rubella) during pregnancy, your baby's risk of heart defects increases. The rubella virus crosses the placenta and spreads through the baby's circulatory system, damaging blood vessels and organs, including the heart. If you contract German measles (rubella) during pregnancy, your baby's risk of heart defects increases. The rubella virus crosses the placenta and spreads through the baby's circulatory system, damaging blood vessels and organs, including the heart. Being born at a high altitude. Babies born above 8,200 feet (2,499 meters) have a greater risk of a PDA than babies born at lower altitudes. Babies born above 8,200 feet (2,499 meters) have a greater risk of a than babies born at lower altitudes. Being female. PDA is twice as common in girls.

Complications

A small patent ductus arteriosus might not cause complications. Larger, untreated defects could cause: High blood pressure in the lungs. Too much blood circulating through the heart's main arteries through a patent ductus arteriosus can lead to pulmonary hypertension, which can cause permanent lung damage. A large patent ductus arteriosus can lead to Eisenmenger syndrome, an irreversible type of pulmonary hypertension. Too much blood circulating through the heart's main arteries through a patent ductus arteriosus can lead to pulmonary hypertension, which can cause permanent lung damage. A large patent ductus arteriosus can lead to Eisenmenger syndrome, an irreversible type of pulmonary hypertension. Heart failure. A patent ductus arteriosus can eventually cause the heart to enlarge and weaken, leading to heart failure, a chronic condition in which the heart can't pump effectively. A patent ductus arteriosus can eventually cause the heart to enlarge and weaken, leading to heart failure, a chronic condition in which the heart can't pump effectively. Heart infection (endocarditis). People who have structural heart problems, such as a patent ductus arteriosus, are at a higher risk of an inflammation of the heart's inner lining than are people who have healthy hearts.

Patent ductus arteriosus and pregnancy

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Most women who have a small patent ductus arteriosus can tolerate pregnancy without problems. However, having a larger defect or complications — such as heart failure, arrhythmias or pulmonary hypertension — can increase the risk of complications during pregnancy. If you have Eisenmenger syndrome, pregnancy should be avoided as it can be life-threatening. If you have a heart defect, repaired or not, discuss family planning with your doctor. In some cases, preconception consultations with doctors who specialize in congenital cardiology, genetics and high-risk obstetric care are needed. Some heart medications can cause serious problems for a developing baby, and it might be necessary to stop or adjust the medications before you become pregnant.

Prevention

There's no sure way to prevent having a baby with a patent ductus arteriosus. However, it's important to do everything possible to have a healthy pregnancy. Here are some of the basics: Seek early prenatal care, even before you're pregnant. Quitting smoking, reducing stress, stopping birth control — these are all things to talk to your doctor about before you get pregnant. Also discuss medications you're taking. Quitting smoking, reducing stress, stopping birth control — these are all things to talk to your doctor about before you get pregnant. Also discuss medications you're taking. Eat a healthy diet. Include a vitamin supplement that contains folic acid. Include a vitamin supplement that contains folic acid. Exercise regularly. Work with your doctor to develop an exercise plan that's right for you. Work with your doctor to develop an exercise plan that's right for you. Avoid risks. These include harmful substances such as alcohol, cigarettes and illegal drugs. Also avoid hot tubs and saunas. These include harmful substances such as alcohol, cigarettes and illegal drugs. Also avoid hot tubs and saunas. Avoid infections. Update your vaccinations before becoming pregnant. Certain types of infections can be harmful to a developing baby. Update your vaccinations before becoming pregnant. Certain types of infections can be harmful to a developing baby. Keep diabetes under control. If you have diabetes, work with your doctor to manage the condition before and during pregnancy. If you have a family history of heart defects or other genetic disorders, consider talking with a genetic counselor before becoming pregnant.

mayoclinic.org - Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic

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