Is an 8mm patent ductus arteriosus severe?

Written by Di Zhi Yong

Cardiology

Updated on December 18, 2024

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Since patent ductus arteriosus is a congenital heart disease, it is recommended that patients have regular echocardiographic re-examinations. For the majority, this condition can close on its own. However, if it does not close, surgical treatment is necessary.

Currently, the patient's patent ductus arteriosus has reached about 8 millimeters, which is quite severe. It is advised to seek early surgical treatment at a hospital to alleviate the symptoms. Presently, there are no medications available to treat this disease, and surgical treatment is the primary approach. Early surgical intervention at a hospital is advisable.

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Written by Tang Li

Cardiology

53sec

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Why does patent ductus arteriosus cause a decrease in diastolic pressure?

In patients with patent ductus arteriosus, since the aortic pressure is significantly higher than the pulmonary artery pressure throughout the cardiac cycle, there is continuous blood flow from the aorta into the pulmonary artery through the open duct, causing a left-to-right shunt. This increases the blood volume in the pulmonary circulation, causing dilatation of the pulmonary artery and its branches. The blood flow returning to the left heart system also increases, thereby increasing the load on the left heart and causing the left heart to enlarge. Due to the diastolic diversion of blood from the aorta to the pulmonary artery, the peripheral arterial diastolic pressure decreases and the pulse pressure increases.

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Written by Xie Zhi Hong

Cardiology

1min

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What will happen if patent ductus arteriosus is not treated with surgery?

Patients with patent ductus arteriosus are characterized by a congenital connection between the pulmonary artery and the aortic arch. This is a remnant passageway that was used during embryonic development to supply blood within the umbilical vessels, ensuring the development of the infant. Normally, this ductus arteriosus may close on its own within a few months. If it does not close after one year from birth, it is considered a patent ductus arteriosus. This condition can lead to increased workload on the heart. Because it allows blood pumped into the aorta to return to the right ventricle, over time, this can increase the burden on the left ventricle as well as the right ventricle. This may lead to heart failure and, in severe cases, trigger Eisenmenger's syndrome. If this condition reaches such a state, the patient loses the opportunity for surgery, resulting in a shortened lifespan.

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Written by Xie Zhi Hong

Cardiology

54sec

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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 Tang Li

Cardiology

1min 46sec

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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.

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Written by Xie Zhi Hong

Cardiology

1min 37sec

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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.