Will patent ductus arteriosus show signs of peripheral vascular disease?

Written by Xie Zhi Hong
Cardiology
Updated on December 15, 2024
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Peripheral vascular signs refer to a medical sign characterized by enhanced pulsation of the peripheral arteries and capillaries due to increased pulse pressure. Patients with a patent ductus arteriosus can experience increased pulse pressure, leading to rapid rises and falls in pressure within the peripheral vessels, thereby causing a series of peripheral vascular signs. When a patent ductus arteriosus is combined with peripheral vascular signs, indicating a substantial shunt, it is advisable for such individuals to undergo surgery as soon as possible. Delaying surgery may lead to a right-to-left shunt, resulting in Eisenmenger's syndrome, and the loss of the opportunity for surgical intervention.

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Written by Fan Yan Fu
Cardiology
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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 Xie Zhi Hong
Cardiology
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Can you drink alcohol with a patent ductus arteriosus?

Under normal circumstances, the ductus arteriosus in newborns gradually closes, and in most infants, the ductus arteriosus is completely closed within three months. However, for some people, even after one year of birth, the ductus arteriosus may not necessarily be diagnosed as congenital patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), a heart condition. Patients with this condition often experience pathological cardiac phenomena such as left-to-right shunts or right-to-left shunts. Due to these potential issues, the cardiac workload can worsen, leading to cardiac dysfunction and eventually heart failure. Drinking alcohol can potentially increase the patient's blood pressure and heart rate, adding more strain to the heart and exacerbating the condition. Therefore, it is advised that such patients avoid alcohol until after surgical treatment has been completed and their condition has stabilized. There are two methods of surgical treatment: most cases can be completely cured with interventional therapy, while a minority may require surgical ligation.

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Written by Tang Li
Cardiology
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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 Di Zhi Yong
Cardiology
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Is a 4mm patent ductus arteriosus considered large?

Patent ductus arteriosus is a type of congenital heart disease. Generally, patients around the age of six months to one year may not necessarily have their ductus arteriosus close. If it does not close by around one year of age, it is considered a congenital heart disease, and it is recommended to seek early surgical treatment at a hospital. Surgery is needed if the condition exceeds approximately 4mm in size. If the patient currently shows no symptoms, it is possible to initially observe the condition. However, if symptoms persist, accompanied by palpitations, chest tightness, difficulty breathing, especially if respiratory infections recur, treatment is necessary.

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Written by Di Zhi Yong
Cardiology
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Is an 8mm patent ductus arteriosus severe?

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.