pediatrics
Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA)
Diagnosis of PDA
Chest x-ray and ECG Echocardiography Diagnosis is suggested by clinical examination, supported by chest x-ray and ECG, and established by 2-dimensional echocardiography with color flow and Doppler studies. Chest x-ray and ECG are typically normal if the patent ductus arteriosus is small. If the shunt is significant, chest x-ray shows prominence of the left atrium, left ventricle, and ascending aorta and increased pulmonary vascular markings; ECG may show left ventricular hypertrophy. Echocardiography provides important information about the hemodynamic significance of a PDA by assessing a number of parameters, including the Size of the PDA (often compared to the left pulmonary artery size) Flow velocity in the PDA Presence of left heart enlargement Presence of diastolic reversal of flow in the descending aorta Presence of diastolic antegrade flow in the left pulmonary artery Cardiac catheterization is not necessary unless used for therapy. 