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Grown-up Congenital Heart Disease (GUCH): Difference between revisions
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Grown-up Congenital Heart Disease (GUCH) (view source)
Revision as of 14:16, 25 January 2012
, 25 January 2012→Introduction
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=== Case report === | === Case report === | ||
=== Introduction === | === Introduction === | ||
[[File:6. PDA.jpg|thumb| | [[File:6. PDA.jpg|thumb|left|Figure 6. Schematic cross-section of the heart showing a patent ductus arteriosus.]] | ||
The ductus arteriosus (DA) is a fetal vascular connection between the main pulmonary artery and the descending aorta that diverts blood away from the pulmonary bed ( | The ductus arteriosus (DA) is a fetal vascular connection between the main pulmonary artery and the descending aorta that diverts blood away from the pulmonary bed (Figure 6). After birth, the DA undergoes active constriction and eventual obliteration. A patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) occurs when the ductus fails to completely close postnatally. | ||
The incidence of PDA has increased dramatically over the last two decades. This is due to the improved survival rate of premature infants, because the incidence of PDA significantly increases in infants born before 30 weeks gestation. | The incidence of PDA has increased dramatically over the last two decades. This is due to the improved survival rate of premature infants, because the incidence of PDA significantly increases in infants born before 30 weeks gestation. | ||