Cardiovascular · UKMLA & AKT

Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA)

A free high-yield preview for the UKMLA Applied Knowledge Test. Below are the key points to recognise patent ductus arteriosus (pda) — the full SA Note notes add investigations, management, complications and 10 practice questions.

Key high-yield points

  • PDA = failure of the ductus arteriosus to close after birth → left-to-right shunt (acyanotic defect)
  • Kept open in utero by prostaglandin E2 (PGE2); NSAIDs (indomethacin, ibuprofen) inhibit PGE2 → promote closure
  • Prostaglandin analogues (e.g. alprostadil) keep the ductus open - used in duct-dependent congenital heart defects
  • Much more common in prematurity - 70% of infants <1 kg have PDA at day 7

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Related UKMLA topics

Ventricular septal defect (VSD)Atrial septal defect (ASD)Tetralogy of FallotCoarctation of the aortaTransposition of the great arteriesAtrioventricular septal defect (AVSD)