Is a 5mm patent ductus arteriosus serious?

Written by Di Zhi Yong

Cardiology

Updated on May 17, 2025

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Patent ductus arteriosus is a type of congenital heart defect. Typically, the ductus arteriosus is expected to close on its own, but if it remains open over time and is larger than about five centimeters, it is crucial to seek surgical treatment at a hospital promptly. Currently, there are no particularly effective medications to improve this condition since it is a congenital heart disease. Early surgical intervention is recommended. This condition is considered serious, and during this period, it is important to actively prevent upper respiratory infections, as they can repeatedly lead to pulmonary inflammation.

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Written by Xie Zhi Hong

Cardiology

56sec

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Can a patent ductus arteriosus heal by itself?

The ductus arteriosus is a duct that fetal blood must pass through as it is transported from the placenta to the aorta. This duct connects between the main pulmonary artery and the aorta of the fetus and generally closes on its own after birth. Most patients can close it spontaneously within three months, but the likelihood of closure diminishes if it surpasses one year. Therefore, for patent ductus arteriosus, some people can heal on their own, while others, especially children over one year old, cannot heal by themselves and are advised to undergo surgery as soon as possible. This is because the patent ductus arteriosus can cause a condition similar to an arteriovenous fistula, increasing the workload on the heart, leading to cardiac hypertrophy and eventual heart failure.

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Written by Di Zhi Yong

Cardiology

38sec

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Can you swim with patent ductus arteriosus?

If the patient has a history of patent ductus arteriosus, it is recommended that they avoid vigorous exercise, as this can increase the heart's oxygen consumption, leading to symptoms such as palpitations, chest tightness, and difficulty breathing. If it is solely this condition, sometimes palpitations may occur, leading to changes in cardiac function. It is advised not to swim. While appropriate exercise can be beneficial, swimming requires better cardiopulmonary function. It is recommended that patients undergo early surgical treatment to improve their current condition.

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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 Fan Yan Fu

Cardiology

1min 4sec

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Does patent ductus arteriosus require open chest surgery?

Now, many cases of patent ductus arteriosus do not require open-chest surgery, as they can be treated minimally invasively by cardiologists through what is called interventional treatment. The ductus arteriosus is actually a vessel between the aorta and the pulmonary artery during the embryonic stage, which usually closes shortly after birth. If it does not close, it results in a congenital heart disease. In the past, before the widespread use of interventional treatments, open-chest surgery was required to ligate the vessel. With the broad implementation of interventional treatments, cardiologists can now treat this condition minimally invasively. This is mainly done by delivering a spring coil through a catheter to the ductus arteriosus which then blocks the vessel, allowing it to gradually close and thus achieve the therapeutic goal. Alternatively, a gelatin sponge can be delivered to the ductus arteriosus through a catheter to block and eventually close the vessel, achieving the desired treatment outcome.

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Written by Chen Tian Hua

Cardiology

47sec

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Does patent ductus arteriosus affect appetite?

When patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) progresses to a certain extent, it can affect appetite. If the patent ductus arteriosus causes pulmonary arterial hypertension, leading to right heart failure, it results in congestion of the gastrointestinal tract and the liver. This significantly impacts the digestive and absorption functions of the gastrointestinal tract, causing reduced appetite in the patient. Some patients may also experience nausea, vomiting, and abdominal distension. For patients with patent ductus arteriosus, if there are indications for surgery, timely surgical treatment should be carried out to correct the anatomical abnormalities and prevent the progressive worsening of the patent ductus arteriosus, which could lead to adverse outcomes.