Patent Ductus Ateriosus (PDA)
What is repair of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA)?
The
ductus arteriosus is a blood vessel that connects the aorta
and the pulmonary artery in the fetus. That blood vessel is
supposed to close when the baby is born. If it does not close,
the congenital heart defect is called a patent ductus arteriosus.
Cardiac surgery may be required to correct the problem.
For some cases of PDA, Coil Embolization (performed in the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory) may be the appropriate treatment option.
Preparing for the procedure
Prior to surgery, this heart defect will be diagnosed with an EKG, a chest- x-ray and echocardiogram. In addition, blood tests will be conducted to be sure that there is no infection and no problem with clotting, and that normal electrolyte levels are in the blood. A blood test to determine the blood type and compatibility will be performed so that blood will be available for the surgery.
During the procedure
The
child will be placed under general anesthesia, and intravenous
lines will be put in. The left chest is entered through an
incision between the ribs. The ductus is visualized and either
tied off or divided. A chest tube for drainage is rarely needed.
The chest is then closed, and the child is allowed to awaken
from anesthesia.
After the procedure
The child will need a day or two to recover from general anesthesia and from the surgery. The main goals during this time will be a return to normal activity -- to drink, to eat, to get up and walk around and to control any pain from surgery.
Click here for recovery guidelines after discharge for congenital heart defect repair at the Inova Heart Center.
- Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) Repair
- Ventricular Septal Defect
- Tetralogy of Fallot Repair
- Arterial Switch for TGA
- Atrioventricular Canal Surgery
- Bidirectional Glenn
- Fontan
- Heart Valve Repair and Replacement
- Ross Procedure for AVR
- Patent Ductus Arteniosus
- Coarctation of the Aorta Repair
- Systemic to Pulmonary Shunt
- Pediatric Recovery
