Arterial Duct in Health and Disease

Abstract

Summary: Publications on the arterial duct are legion. But they are dispersed in several spe cialty and subspecialty journals, and it is therefore often very difficult for busy ciinicians to access them instantiy or obtain a baianced overview of advances in that area of paediatric prac tice. This review article attempts to remedy that situation. It is a synopsis of some topical issues related to the arterial duct, including its role in foetai circulation, the consequences of its persis teni patency after birth, and management of persistent ductus arteriosus in neonates and older children, including advances in endovascular PDA closure. The conciuding section focuses on attempts ai prolonging ductal patency in neonates whose immediate and short term survivai depends on the PDA.