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Patent ductus arteriosus

Case contributed by Henry Knipe
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Progressive shortness of breath.

Patient Data

Age: 30 years
Gender: Female
x-ray

Marked cardiomegaly with dilatation of the main pulmonary artery. Bilateral pulmonary plethora. 

ct

Patent ductus arteriosus measuring ~16 mm. Ascending aorta is dilated with dilatation of the aortic arch also noted, with the aortic diameter returning to normal limits at the proximal descending thoracic aorta.

Marked cardiomegaly mainly from left atrial and left ventricular dilatation. Mild right ventricular wall thickening is present, suggestive of hypertrophy. Marked dilatation of main pulmonary artery. 

x-ray

PDA closure device noted, appears to be appropriately positioned. Marked enlargement of the pulmonary arterial contour with bilateral pulmonary plethora. Enlarged cardiac contour is stable.

Case Discussion

Patent ductus arteriosus is a type congenital heart disease where there is persistent patency of the ductus arteriosus, which is a fetal structure connecting the aorta and pulmonary artery, and normally closes 48 hours after birth. 

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