[Report of a case of an atypical huge patent ductus arteriosus]

An atypical huge patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) associated with extreme pulmonary hypertension in a 6-month old female infant was reported. The left 3rd intercostal thoracotomy revealed huge PDA which has an appearance of pulmonary-ductus-descending aorta-trunk (PDDT) on the left side. The right side of the ductus continued to the aortic arch without demarcation between the ductus and the aorta. The median sternotomy clarified the ascending aorta, normal aortic arch, and main pulmonary artery. However, the top of the main pulmonary artery seemed to be fused with the aortic arch. The diagnosis of distal type of aortopulmonary window with wide communication was made and the total circulatory arrest with deep hypothermia and the intracavitary patching for separation of systemic and pulmonary blood flow seemed to be required for the complete repair. Total repair was decided to be postponed one week later and the chest was closed. The patient died of multi-organ failure originating from acute respiratory failure 23 days after exploratory thoracotomy without being repaired. Postmortem examination revealed a huge PDA freely communicating with the ascending aorta and the aortic arch. This is a report of an atypical huge PDA rarely seen and the conventional division or ligation is unfeasible. The circulatory arrest with deep hypothermia and intracavitary patching are obligatory for the surgical repair.