children s health issues
Patent Ductus Arteriosus
Treatment of Patent Ductus Arteriosus
Medication to help close the ductus Sometimes a plug or other specialized device inserted through a catheter, or surgery Indomethacinoribuprofencan be given to close a patent ductus arteriosus. These medications are most effective if given within the first 10 days after birth and are more effective in premature newborns than in full-term ones. Several doses may be given. If the PDA does not close after several doses, catheter intervention or surgery may be done if there are signs that the PDA is harming the lungs and heart. Even the smallest of premature infants with a patent ductus arteriosus are often able to have their PDA closed by a catheter approach. In full-term newborns and infants who do not have symptoms, doctors may allow time for the PDA to close on its own before they suggest treatment. If the ductus arteriosus is still open by the time infants are 1 or 2 years of age, it is extremely unlikely to close on its own. At that time, doctors usually recommend a procedure to close the PDA to eliminate the risk of Infective Endocarditis . In most cases, doctors close the patent ductus arteriosus by inserting a small device or coil during Cardiac catheterization . During this procedure, the closure device is attached to the end of a long, thin tube (catheter). The catheter is inserted into the large vein in the groin. The catheter is carefully pushed up through the blood vessel until it reaches the heart and then advanced a little further until the tip with the device is in the ductus. Once the device is in the proper location, it is expanded to close the ductus. Occasionally, particularly when the ductus is unusually large, doctors do surgery to close the ductus. Children need to take antibiotics before visits to the dentist and before certain surgeries (such as on the respiratory tract), during the first 6 months after closure of the ductus. Sometimes antibiotics are needed for a longer time if surgery is unable to completely close the ductus. These antibiotics are used to prevent a serious heart infection called Infective Endocarditis . 