PATENT DUCTUS ARTERIOSUS

PATHOPHYSIOLOGY

Non-modifiable Factors: Modifiable Factors:

 Genetics: run in families and  Rubella infection
sometimes occur with other genetic  Poorly controlled diabetes
problems, such as Down syndrome.  Drug or alcohol use or exposure to
 Age: premature infants chemicals or radiation
 Gender: female  Presence of other congenital heart
defects.

damage to the fetus’ circulatory system

which includes blood vessels and the
heart

ductus arteriosus that connects the aorta

and the pulmonary artery fails to close at
birth

shunting of oxygenated blood from the high pressure aorta

to the low pressure pulmonary artery

increased volume of blood passing through the lungs

increased volume of blood returning to the left atrium

shunted blood passes to the left ventricle

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 blood goes out to the aorta bulging of the aorta
and pulmonary artery
proximal to the PDA
occurs as a result of
blood shunts back to the increased blood
pulmonary artery volume and turbulent
. flow

continuous repetition of the cycle

backflow of blood to the
right ventricle
compensation of the
cardiac muscle
of shunting pressure difference
between the aorta
and pulmonary artery
(greatest during
continuous increase of blood
systole), and
volume circulating in the lungs
consequently
continuous flow
through the PDA
pulmonary congestion

production of a
right tachy-cardia characteristic
ventricular or other increased pressure at the lungs continuous
hyper-trophy arrythmia machine-like
murmur

pulmonary hypertension pressure in the

loss of ability to efficiently pulmonary artery
pump blood to the equals or even
pulmonary artery and the exceeds that of the
lungs aorta
decreased oxygenated
blood
right-sided heart failure either the diastolic
portion of the murmur
or the complete
increase oxygen demand murmur may
disappear due to flow
reversal (reverse
shunting PDA)
easy fatigability compensation by
increasing ventilation

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 blood then bypasses
poor eating persistent fast the lungs
breathing or
breathlessness

poor growth decreased functioning of the

immune system to resist infection no oxygenation of the
and of the respiratory system to blood
expel offending microorganisms

cyanosis
frequent respiratory
infections

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