A Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) is a congenital defect where the ductus arteriosus (fetal vascular connection) remains patent after birth.
This allows blood to flow from the aorta into the main pulmonary artery.
If left untreated, this allows severe fluid overload to the left side of the heart.
This causes severe left atrial and left ventricular dilation, eventually resulting in left-sided
Affected patients will typically progress into congestive heart failure by 1 year of age and most patients will die by 3 years of age.
It is important to monitor these patients for the development of congestive heart failure as medications are required to control this condition and maximize life expectancy and quality of life. Fortunately, with surgical correction, the life expectancy of patients with this condition is generally normal (unless advanced myocardial insult has happened before diagnosis).
he surgical procedure typically recommended is a transvenous occlusion, but the size of your pet may impact surgical options.
This is a minimally invasive surgery that is performed through a small incision in the rear limb.
The catheter is passed across the PDA from the femoral artery and a device (coil, plug, or occluder) is placed within the PDA.
This allows a blot clot to form that is eventually replaced with fibrous tissue, resulting in a permanent occlusion.
