Patent Ductus Arteriosus Flashcards
What type of condition is Patent Ductus Arteriosus?
Congenital heart defect
What is patent ductus arteriosus?
The ductus arteriosus fails to close after birth
How is Patent Ductus Arteriosus normally classified?
Acyanotic
What can occur if Patent Ductus Arteriosus isn’t corrected?
Cyanosis later in life
What is the ductus arteriosus?
a foetal shunt between the pulmonary artery and the aorta
It allows blood to bypass the largely inactive pulmonary circulation in the foetus
When does the ductus arteriosus stop functioning?
First 1-3 days since birth
When does the ductus arteriosus close?
Within the first 2-3 weeks of life.
What are the risk factors for Patent Ductus Arteriosus?
Prematurity
Maternal infection
Which maternal infection is associated with patent ductus arteriosus?
Rubella- in the first trimester
What are the features of patent ductus arteriosus?
- left subclavicular thrill
- continuous crescendo- decrescendo ‘machinery’ murmur
- large volume, bounding, collapsing pulse
- wide pulse pressure
- heaving apex beat
What type of thrill do you get with Patent Ductus Arteriosus?
Left subclavicular thrill
How is the murmur described in someone with patent ductus arteriosus?
Continuous crescendo- decrescendo ‘machinery’ murmur
How is the pulse described in someone with Patent Ductus Arteriosus?
large volume, bounding, collapsing pulse
wide pulse pressure
How is the apex beat described in someone with patent ductus arteriosus?
Heaving apex beat
What symptoms can present in a child with patent ductus arteriosus?
- Shortness of breath
- Difficulty feeding
- Poor weight gain
- Lower respiratory tract infections
