Will patent ductus arteriosus increase with age?

Written by Di Zhi Yong
Cardiology
Updated on September 01, 2024
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Patent ductus arteriosus is a type of congenital heart disease, primarily treated through surgery. Early surgical intervention can completely cure this disease. However, as age increases, the symptoms of this disease can become more severe. Based on the patient's condition, it is recommended to undergo early surgical treatment at a hospital to alleviate the patient's suffering. As age increases, various organic diseases may emerge, which can sometimes affect a child's growth and development. During this period, it is advised that the patient regularly revisits the hospital for echocardiography checks and to also be cautious in preventing upper respiratory infections.

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Written by Cai Li E
Cardiology
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Can you run with a patent ductus arteriosus?

Patients with patent ductus arteriosus should avoid running. The condition can cause a left-to-right shunt, increasing pulmonary circulation and the volume of blood returning to the left heart system, which in turn leads to increased left heart workload and potential left heart dysfunction. In adults with patent ductus arteriosus, the clinical symptoms vary depending on the size of the shunt. Those with very small shunts may exhibit no subjective symptoms clinically. Patients with moderate shunts often experience symptoms such as fatigue, palpitations after activity, shortness of breath, and chest tightness. Those with large shunts, often accompanied by severe secondary pulmonary hypertension, may experience a right-to-left shunt, leading to cyanosis and very severe clinical symptoms.

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

Firstly, patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is not a hereditary disease, so both males and females with PDA can reproduce. However, if the individual is female, it is advisable to treat PDA before pregnancy, as pregnancy can increase the load on the heart. Patients with PDA often have poorer cardiac function. If they are asymptomatic, their compensatory abilities may be reduced. Therefore, for safety, it is recommended that patients with PDA consider conception after minimally invasive interventional treatment or surgical treatment, which is safer. The majority of PDAs can be treated with minimally invasive procedures, so the trauma is relatively minor, and there is no need for excessive worry.

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Written by Cai Li E
Cardiology
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Will patent ductus arteriosus cause left heart failure?

Patent ductus arteriosus can lead to left heart failure. This occurs because of a left-to-right shunt, which increases blood flow to the pulmonary circulation, thereby increasing the workload on the left heart and leading to its enlargement and consequently, left heart failure. In cases of patent ductus arteriosus where the shunt is small, there may be no symptoms. With moderate shunting, common symptoms include fatigue, palpitations after exertion, and breathlessness with chest tightness. A prominent sign is a continuous machinery-like murmur heard at the second intercostal space along the left sternal border and below the left clavicle, often accompanied by a palpable thrill that can be widely transmitted. In severe cases with large shunting, there is often associated severe secondary pulmonary hypertension, leading to a right-to-left shunt, often manifesting as cyanosis and severe clinical symptoms. Once diagnosed, patent ductus arteriosus must be treated.

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Written by Di Zhi Yong
Cardiology
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The reasons for ventricular enlargement due to patent ductus arteriosus

Patent ductus arteriosus can lead to enlargement of the anterior heart, as it can cause enlargement of the left atrium, left ventricle, or anterior ventricle, potentially leading to heart failure, especially altering heart function. If a patient has a patent ductus arteriosus, I personally recommend getting an ECG at a hospital early and then determining a treatment plan. Currently, surgical treatment is advised to improve the condition of reduced heart function. During this time, it is still important to actively and regularly monitor changes in the patient’s blood pressure, heart rate, and pulse. If the heart rate is too fast or blood pressure is elevated, regular hospital visits are necessary for management.

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Written by Tang Li
Cardiology
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What are the symptoms of patent ductus arteriosus?

Patients with patent ductus arteriosus may exhibit several clinical manifestations based on the amount of shunting. 1. Small shunt volume: The internal diameter of the patent ductus arteriosus is small, and the patient may exhibit no subjective symptoms. The prominent sign is a continuous machinery murmur heard at the left sternal border at the second intercostal space and below the left clavicle, accompanied by a thrill; pulse pressure may slightly increase. 2. Moderate shunt: Patients commonly experience fatigue, palpitations, shortness of breath, and chest discomfort after exertion. The heart murmur is similar in character to the above but louder, accompanied by a thrill, and widely transmitted. At times, diastolic and mild systolic murmurs caused by left ventricular enlargement, relative mitral valve insufficiency, and stenosis can be heard at the apex, with a positive vascular sign. 3. Large shunt volume: This condition in a patent ductus arteriosus often accompanies secondary severe pulmonary hypertension, leading to a right-to-left shunt. The typical murmur's diastolic component may diminish or disappear, followed by the disappearance of the systolic murmur, and only a diastolic murmur due to pulmonic valve insufficiency can be heard. Patients often exhibit cyanosis and severe clinical symptoms.