Patent Ductus Arteriosus

Clinical Presentation 1. Symptoms – Murmur, hyperactive precordium, bounding pulses, widened pulse pressure, hypotension, worsening respiratory status 2. Risk factors a. Gestational age – 70%–80% of neonates born before 28 weeks’ gestation will have a PDA. b. Lack of antenatal corticosteroids c. RDS 3. Complications a. “Ductal steal” results in a left-to-right shunt of blood that reduces blood flow to some major organs (e.g., poor kidney perfusion can result in elevated serum creatinine/acute kidney injury) and increases pulmonary blood flow excessively. b. Hypotension, pulmonary hemorrhage, NEC, IVH, pulmonary edema, prolonged need for mechanical ventilation, BPD, and heart failure are associated