 |
 |
The ductus arteriosus is a shunt which directs blood away from the pulmonary trunk during fetal life. At birth, the ductus arteriosus clamps down to form the ligamentum arteriosum and normal systemic blood flow is established. When the ductus fails to close (due to continued prostaglandin synthesis in the endothelium), a patent (still open) duct persists.
The current treatment for patent ductus arteriosus is the administration of a prostaglandin inhibitor, such as ibuprofen. In some cases where other cardiac anomalies exists, prostaglandins are administered to maintain the patency of the ductus until corrective surgery is performed.
The pathologic specimen shown below is of a patent ductus. The pictures are identical, with the one on the right having been coloured to show detail.
| |
|
Back to Arterial system
development 
Return to Anomalies