Patent ductus arteriosus

Updated: 2017-06-13

Overview

Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is an opening between two blood vessels leading from the heart. A small PDA often doesn't cause problems, but a large one can cause heart failure and other complications.

Symptoms

A small PDA may cause no symptoms, but a large one may cause poor eating, failure to thrive, or breathlessness.

Treatments

Treatments include monitoring, medications, including NSAIDs, and surgery.