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Updated: Apr 28, 2026
Echocardiographic Evaluation of Atrial Communications before Transcatheter Closure
Published on: February 8, 2022
Echocardiography for patent ductus arteriosus including closure in adults
1Cardiology Division, CMOB 308, Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, Panorama City, California.
Insights
Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), a common congenital heart defect, may persist into adulthood if not closed naturally or surgically. Echocardiography is crucial for diagnosis and guiding interventions for PDA management.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Medical Diagnostics
Background:
- Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) accounts for 5-10% of congenital heart defects (CHDs).
- While most PDAs close spontaneously within 48 hours of birth, some persist into adulthood.
- Persistent PDA can lead to significant long-term health issues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the prevalence and significance of PDA as a common CHD.
- To emphasize the diagnostic and interventional role of echocardiography in PDA management.
- To underscore the importance of echocardiography in long-term follow-up of PDA sequelae.
Main Methods:
- Diagnosis is primarily confirmed using echocardiography.
- Echocardiography guides both catheter-based interventions and surgical procedures.
- Echocardiography is utilized for ongoing monitoring of residual effects and complications.
Main Results:
- PDA is a frequent congenital heart lesion, representing a substantial portion of CHDs.
- A subset of patients requires intervention for persistent PDA beyond the neonatal period.
- Echocardiography proves effective in diagnosing PDA and assessing its impact.
Conclusions:
- Patent ductus arteriosus is a significant and common congenital heart defect.
- Echocardiography is indispensable for the diagnosis, treatment guidance, and long-term surveillance of PDA.
- Timely diagnosis and management are essential for patients with persistent PDA.
Abstract:
Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) represents at least 5-10% of all congenital heart defects (CHDs) making it a very important commonly diagnosed lesion. Although spontaneous closure of the PDA occurs within 24 to 48 hours after birth in the majority, those children who do not have natural or surgical closure may have a persistent PDA into adulthood. The diagnosis is most often confirmed by echocardiography that also guides catheter-based interventions and surgeries. Echocardiography continues to be the most important tool in long-term follow-up of residua and sequelae.
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