Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is a congenital heart defect in which abnormal blood flow occurs between two of the major arteries connected to the heart. Ductus arteriosus (part of fetal blood circulation) which normally closes after birth, may remain open (patent) in some babies and require surgical closure.
PROCEDURE
It is done under general anaesthesia. The closure may involve open surgery where a small cut is given between the ribs to reach the heart and close the PDA with stitches or clips.
The other option is of transcatheter device closure. A catheter is inserted through a large vessel in the groin and guided upto the heart. A small metal coil or other blocking device is then passed up through the catheter and placed in the PDA to block blood flow through the vessel. This method is also employed in adult patients.
DURATION
The procedure takes 2 – 4 hours. Hospital stay is of 2-7 days depending on the type of surgery.
RECOVERY
The patient would be able to resume normal activity within 1-3 weeks.
RISKS
There could be hoarseness, paralyzed diaphragm, infection, bleeding, vascular occlusion, inappropriate deployment of the device, migration of the device, and incomplete closure of the ductus, etc.