Which is more serious, patent ductus arteriosus or ventricular septal defect?

Written by Di Zhi Yong

Cardiology

Updated on September 21, 2024

00:00

00:00

Both of these diseases are types of congenital heart disease, and if there are issues with either of them, the situation can be quite severe. There isn't a distinction between which disease is severe and which is not.

If the arterial duct remains open or does not close, surgery is still required for this condition. Patients with ventricular septal defect primarily display changes related to ischemia and hypoxia, and they may also experience recurrent respiratory infections, which are quite serious. Surgery is generally the best treatment. Early surgical intervention can achieve a complete cure, but it is also advisable for the patient to have regular echocardiographic check-ups at the hospital.

Other Voices

home-news-image

Written by Xie Zhi Hong

Cardiology

1min 37sec

home-news-image

Why does patent ductus arteriosus cause differential cyanosis?

The arterial duct refers to a blood vessel connecting the main pulmonary artery and the aorta, which is normally present during fetal development. It allows blood from the mother's placenta to seep into the pulmonary artery and then enter the aorta to supply the entire body's vasculature. After the birth of an infant, this blood vessel naturally closes, typically within 3 months, and most people will have it closed by 1 year. If it has not closed after 1 year, it is referred to as patent ductus arteriosus. Because the arterial duct can connect the aorta and the main pulmonary artery, blood from the systemic circulation in the aorta may directly return to the pulmonary artery at this time. If the pulmonary artery blood flow significantly increases, it can lead to pulmonary arterial hypertension and might also cause right ventricular hypertrophy. Increased cardiac workload can lead to right-sided heart failure and may also cause left-sided heart failure. When severe left-sided heart failure occurs, a right-to-left shunt can develop, which allows pulmonary artery blood to directly enter the aorta, causing venous blood to be delivered directly into the systemic circulation. At this point, differential cyanosis occurs, characterized by bluish discoloration of the upper limbs and mild blueness in the lower limbs.

home-news-image

Written by Xie Zhi Hong

Cardiology

1min 1sec

home-news-image

Can you get pregnant with patent ductus arteriosus?

Patent ductus arteriosus refers to a congenital channel between the aorta and the pulmonary artery that fails to close. This can lead to a mixing of blood between the veins and arteries, thus deteriorating heart function. Generally, individuals with this condition can become pregnant after treatment. Patent ductus arteriosus is a congenital heart defect that does not have hereditary properties and does not prevent one from having children. However, it is advised for individuals with this condition to undergo surgical treatment before attempting to conceive and bear children. If the ductus arteriosus remains untreated, the increased heart load during late pregnancy can cause symptoms such as difficulty breathing and respiratory distress. It is recommended that these individuals undergo minimally invasive surgical treatment or conventional surgical treatment before planning for pregnancy, as this will be more appropriate.

home-news-image

Written by Xie Zhi Hong

Cardiology

1min 16sec

home-news-image

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.

home-news-image

Written by Xie Zhi Hong

Cardiology

1min 4sec

home-news-image

Can patent ductus arteriosus be treated with medication?

The ductus arteriosus is a blood vessel connecting the pulmonary artery to the aorta in the fetal heart, primarily used during the embryonic stage to supply blood from the mother to the heart, thus providing sufficient oxygenated blood for fetal development and growth. Generally, the ductus arteriosus should close automatically within three months after birth. If it remains open for over a year, it may indicate a congenital heart defect known as patent ductus arteriosus. Previously, high doses of aspirin were used to treat this condition, but this treatment was not very effective. Patients with patent ductus arteriosus should instead consider minimally invasive interventional treatments to seal the duct, or surgical ligation can be performed. However, surgical ligation may cause significant trauma or scarring to the patient. The majority of cases with patent ductus arteriosus can be treated using minimally invasive methods.

home-news-image

Written by Xie Zhi Hong

Cardiology

1min 11sec

home-news-image

Can a patent ductus arteriosus cause cyanosis of the lips?

Patent ductus arteriosus generally refers to a condition in infants where the tubular passage between the aorta and pulmonary artery fails to fully close within the first year after birth. This results in altered blood flow within the heart, leading to the occurrence of patent ductus arteriosus. This blood flow disorder can increase the burden on the heart, causing recurrent episodes of breathlessness and breathing difficulties, and in severe cases, can lead to serious heart failure. If left untreated until the late stages, right-to-left shunting may occur, causing a serious mixing of arterial and venous blood. This leads to venous blood being ejected directly outside the body, causing a bluish-purple discoloration in the patient. Such conditions indicate a particularly severe heart disease. However, the majority of cases of patent ductus arteriosus can be addressed through minimally invasive interventional treatments. It is a simple congenital heart disease that should be treated promptly.