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Patent ductus arteriosus

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.

Last Updated: June 13th, 2017

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