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Summary

Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) heart surgery is performed to treat a condition called Patent ductus arteriosus. Ductus arteriosus is a blood vessel between the pulmonary artery (a blood vessel that carries oxygen-poor blood to the lung from the heart) and aorta (carries oxygen-rich blood to the entire body from the heart) in a foetus (unborn baby). Generally, this duct closes after birth, however, in case it does not, the condition is called PDA. Smaller PDAs don't cause symptoms but larger ones lead to breathing difficulties and trouble feeding. PDA can continue into adulthood if it does not close on its own.

Various approaches, including medicine and catheterization, are used to treat PDA in newborns. Surgery is more commonly recommended in older infants and children when no other methods work.

You will be asked to fast before a PDA surgery. The procedure will be done under general anaesthesia. Once the surgery is done, the recovery may include medications to reduce infection and restriction on certain activities until you heal completely.

  1. What is patent ductus arteriosus heart surgery?
  2. Why is patent ductus arteriosus heart surgery recommended?
  3. Who can and cannot get patent ductus arteriosus heart surgery?
  4. What preparations are needed before patent ductus arteriosus heart surgery?
  5. How is patent ductus arteriosus heart surgery done?
  6. How to care for yourself after patent ductus arteriosus heart surgery?
  7. What are the possible complications/risks of patent ductus arteriosus heart surgery?
  8. When to follow up with your doctor after a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) heart surgery?
Doctors for Patent Ductus Arteriosus Heart Surgery

Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) heart surgery is required to close a birth defect called PDA inside the heart.

While in the womb a baby's lungs are occupied with fluid, so they receive oxygen directly from the placenta (that develops in the mother’s uterus during pregnancy) instead of lungs. To prevent the supply of blood to the lungs, a blood vessel called ductus arteriosus connects the two arteries - aorta (supplies oxygen-rich blood from the heart to different parts of the body) and pulmonary artery (carries deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs for purification) in a foetus. After birth, once the baby starts crying and breathing, air will replace the fluid inside their lungs. The ductus arteriosus will naturally close and allow the supply of blood to the lungs. However, if it fails to close, it can result in PDA. The condition leads to mixing of the oxygenated and deoxygenated blood and, as a result, excess blood will flow through the pulmonary artery to the lungs. This can cause an increase in blood pressure inside the pulmonary artery (pulmonary hypertension) and may lead to permanent damage to the heart.

Healthcare providers close PDA using different approaches such as:

  • Medicinal: Your doctor may prescribe medicines like indomethacin to close PDAs. The medication will tighten the PDA and close it. However, this is usually used in premature babies (babies born before completing nine months inside the womb, i.e., 37 weeks)
  • Non-medicinal: 
    • Catheterisation procedure: This method uses a catheter (tube) to insert a device that closes the blood vessel. 
    • Surgery: This approach is needed if a baby develops a health problem because of PDA or the catheterisation is unsuccessful.
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This surgery is indicated if a PDA has not closed in a newborn in a few days after birth and medical treatment has failed. A small PDA may not show any symptoms. However, in a large PDA, the baby may have the following symptoms:

  • Getting tired easily
  • Sweating while feeding 
  • Poor growth 
  • Fast breathing 
  • Shortness of breath 
  • Forceful and strong pulse
  • Not feeding properly

The condition is rarely found in adults, and is usually seen in case of small to moderate size PDA. It is often a coincidental finding in adults when screening for other problems. However. this surgery can be recommended in adults to reduce the risks of:

The contraindications of PDA heart surgery include:

  • Valve (tricuspid and aortic) atresia (when one of the valves in the heart do not form properly)
  • Pulmonary artery hypoplasia (incomplete or malformation of the pulmonary artery)
  • Transposition of the great arteries (a condition in which the aorta and pulmonary artery are switched in position) 
  • Mitral valve atresia (improper development of the mitral valve of heart) along with hypoplastic left ventricle (improper development of the lower left side of the heart) 
  • Uncontrolled sepsis

The surgery may not be performed if a baby is less than six months of age and shows no health issues from PDA.

The following preparations are required before this surgery:

  • Doctors first check for a heart murmur in the baby using a stethoscope to diagnose a PDA. He/she will order the following diagnostic tests if a heart murmur is heard:
  • Tell the doctor if the child is taking any medicines (over-the-counter or prescription), minerals, vitamins, and supplements.
  • The child may have to be in a fasting condition before the surgery. Your doctor will tell you if water is allowed and how much.
  • Adults should stop smoking before a PDA surgery to ensure a quicker recovery. Also, you will have to discontinue blood thinners for a few weeks before the surgery and arrange for a ride to and from the hospital.
  • You will have to sign an approval/consent form if you agree to the procedure.
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After the admission procedure is completed, an intravenous (IV) line will be started in the patient's arm or hand to supply medicines and fluids during the procedure. General anaesthesia (a sleep-inducing medicine) will also be administered through the IV. The surgical area will be cleaned (and shaved if necessary).

The surgery can be performed in the following ways:

  • Open surgery: In the operation theatre, the surgeon will perform the following steps:
    • You or the child will lie on their right side with their arm over their head.
    • The surgeon will make an incision over the skin on the left side of your chest.and separate your ribs to access your heart.
    • He/she will move aside your lung and open the muscles around the heart called pericardium to access PDA. 
    • Once PDA is identified, the surgeon will seal it or tie it using a ligature (cord or wire) and metal clip. 
    • Next, he/she will insert a chest tube in your chest to remove excess air and fluid. 
    • Finally, the surgeon will close the muscles and skin in the area using absorbable stitches.
  • Video-assisted thoracic surgical repair: In this approach, a small incision is made in the chest, and the PDA is sealed by visualising inside the chest through a thoracoscope (a device with a camera).
  • Catheter-based procedure: This procedure involves the following steps:
    • The surgeon will insert a straw-sized tube called a sheath inside the blood vessel of your groin after making a small incision in the area. 
    • Using this sheath, he/she will insert a catheter (tube) inside the blood vessel to your heart. 
    • The surgeon will then insert a small metal coil or blocking device through the catheter. 
    • This procedure is guided using an X-ray scan called fluoroscopy. 
    • Once the device is placed at the PDA site, he/she will remove the catheter and sheath and cover the incision with a bandage.

The surgery lasts for about 30 minutes. You (or your child) will rest in the recovery room after the surgery. The healthcare provider may prescribe painkillers to reduce pain after the surgery. The chest tube will be removed 24 hours following the procedure. Patients are usually discharged the same day after a catheter-based procedure, in an open procedure, however, a few days of hospital stay is needed.

The following care is needed after the surgery:

  • Medications: 
    • Antibiotics will be given to reduce the risk of infection for at least six months after the surgery.
    • Diuretic medicines will be given for a week.
  • Activities: 
    • Restrict physical activities for a few days after the surgery.    
    • Avoid lifting heavy objects.
    • Do not let your child lift their arms above the head for a few weeks.
    • Avoid lifting or pulling the child by his/her arms after the surgery.
    • Avoid playing contact sports like football.
    • Ensure to avoid activities that may cause falling on the chest or a blow to the chest.

When to see the doctor?

Visit or call the doctor if you or the child have the following symptoms:

  • Shortness of breath 
  • Prolonged pauses in breathing 
  • Blue or pale discolouration of skin 
  • inability to gain weight 
  • Fever 
  • Chest pain 
  • Swelling, redness, or bleeding from the catheter site 
  • Puffy eyes or face

PDA heart surgery is known to carry the following risks:

  • Bleeding 
  • Infection 
  • Kidney damage 
  • Heart attack 
  • Pneumothorax
  • Stroke 
  • Incomplete closure of the blood vessel
  • Paralysis of vocal cords
  • Rupture of the blood vessel 
  • Migration of the device
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Your follow-up will be scheduled two to three weeks after the surgery where the surgeon will check the closure of the PDA using ECG.

Disclaimer: The above information is provided purely from an educational point of view and is in no way a substitute for medical advice by a qualified doctor.

Dr. Farhan Shikoh

Dr. Farhan Shikoh

Cardiology
11 Years of Experience

Dr. Amit Singh

Dr. Amit Singh

Cardiology
10 Years of Experience

Dr. Shekar M G

Dr. Shekar M G

Cardiology
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Dr. Janardhana Reddy D

Dr. Janardhana Reddy D

Cardiology
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References

  1. The Leeds Teaching Hospitals [Internet]. NHS Foundation Trust. National Health Service. UK; Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) in newborn infants
  2. Nemours Children’s Health System [Internet]. Jacksonville (FL): The Nemours Foundation; c2017; Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA)
  3. American Heart Association [Internet]. Texas. US; Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA)
  4. UCSF Department of Surgery [Internet]. University of California San Francisco. California. US; Patent Ductus Arteriosus
  5. Birmingham Children's Hospital [Internet]. NHS Foundation Trust. National Health Service. UK; Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) in premature babies
  6. Cleveland Clinic [Internet]. Ohio. US; Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA)
  7. Kumar S, KariyappaT. Surgical management of patent ductus arteriosus. Congenit Heart Dis. 2019 Feb 27;14(1):57–59
  8. Ohlsson A, Walia R, Shah S. Ibuprofen for the treatment of patent ductus arteriosus in preterm and/or low birth weight infants. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2008 Jan 23. CD003481. PMID: 18254020.
  9. Neumayer L, Ghalyaie N. Principles of preoperative and operative surgery. In: Townsend CM Jr, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery: The Biological Basis of Modern Surgical Practice. 20th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2017:chap 10.
  10. Smith SF, Duell DJ, Martin BC, Aebersold M, Gonzalez L. Perioperative care. In: Smith SF, Duell DJ, Martin BC, Gonzalez L, Aebersold M, eds. Clinical Nursing Skills: Basic to Advanced Skills. 9th ed. New York, NY: Pearson; 2016:chap 26.
  11. Newborn Services Clinical Guidelines [Internet]. Auckland District Health Board. New Zealand; Patent Ductus Arteriosus
  12. National Health Service [Internet]. UK; Before surgery
  13. Johns Hopkins Medicine [Internet]. The Johns Hopkins University, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, and Johns Hopkins Health System; Preparing for Surgery: The Operating Room
  14. Kennedy AP Jr, Snyder CL, Ashcraft KW, Manning PB. Comparison of muscle-sparing thoracotomy and thoracoscopic ligation for the treatment of patent ductus arteriosus. J Pediatr Surg. 1998 Feb. 33(2):259-61. PMID: 9498397.
  15. Valentík P, Omeje I, Poruban R, Sagát M, Nosál M. Surgical closure of patent ductus arteriosus in pre-term babies. Images Paediatr Cardiol. 2007 Apr;9(2):27–36. PMID: 22368671.
  16. Kaemmerer H, Meisner H, Hess J, Perloff JK. Surgical treatment of patent ductus arteriosus: a new historical perspective. Am J Cardiol. 2004 Nov 1. 94(9):1153-4. PMID: 15536652.
  17. Tefft RG. The impact of an early Ibuprofen treatment protocol on the incidence of surgical ligation of the ductus arteriosus. Am J Perinatol. 2010 Jan. 27(1):83-90. PMID: 19784912.
  18. Jaillard S, Larrue B, Rakza T, Magnenant E, Warembourg H, Storme L. Consequences of delayed surgical closure of patent ductus arteriosus in very premature infants. Ann Thorac Surg. 2006 Jan. 81(1):231-4. PMID: 16368371.
  19. Heuchan AM, Hunter L, Young D. Outcomes following the surgical ligation of the patent ductus arteriosus in premature infants in Scotland. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed. 2012 Jan. 97(1):F39-44. PMID: 21852255.
  20. Fernando R, Koranne K, Loyalka P, Kar B, Gregoric I. Patent ductus arteriosus closure using an Amplatzer(™) ventricular septal defect closure device. Exp Clin Cardiol. 2013 Winter. 18(1):e50-4. PMID: 24294051.
  21. Tefera E, Teodori M. Pulmonary artery aneurysm with patent arterial duct: resection of aneurysm and ductal division. World J PediatrCongenit Heart Surg. 2013 Oct 1. 4(4):427-9. PMID: 24327639.
  22. Tschuppert S, Doell C, Arlettaz-Mieth R, et al. The effect of ductal diameter on surgical and medical closure of patent ductus arteriosus in preterm neonates: size matters. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2008 Jan. 135(1):78-82. PMID: 18179922.
  23. Choi BM, Lee KH, Eun BL, et al. Utility of rapid B-type natriuretic peptide assay for diagnosis of symptomatic patent ductus arteriosus in preterm infants. Pediatrics. 2005 Mar. 115(3):e255-61. PMID: 15687418.
  24. Chen LY, Cai P, Cheng ZD, et al. Comparison of transvenous versus transthoracic catheter-based device closure of patent ductus arteriosus with amplatzer duct occluder. J Invasive Cardiol. 2013 Oct. 25(10):502-6. PMID: 24088423.
  25. Arnaoutakis DJ, Lillehei CW, Menard MT. Special techniques in pediatric vascular surgery. In: Sidawy AN, Perler BA, eds. Rutherford’s Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 186
  26. Bernstein D. General principles of treatment of congenital heart disease. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 461.
  27. Beerman LB, Kreutzer J, Allada V. Cardiology. In: Zitelli BJ, McIntire SC, Nowalk AJ, eds. Zitelli and Davis’ Atlas of Pediatric Physical Diagnosis. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 5.

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