What is patent ductus arteriosus (PDA)?

A PDA is a birth defect involving the main blood vessels arising from the heart. The ductus arteriosus is a fetal communication between the aorta and pulmonary artery which should normally close at birth. Failure of closure is called a PDA. The PDA causes extra blood to circulate through the lungs, and overloads the heart’s pumping ability.

What are the symptoms of a PDA?

Most dogs with a PDA show no symptoms, but a PDA produces a characteristic murmur that can be detected when listening to the chest with a stethoscope. An ultrasound of the heart (echocardiogram) performed by a cardiologist is required for diagnosis. If left untreated, the PDA overloads the heart’s pumping ability. This can cause fluid to back-up into the lungs and cause trouble breathing. This fluid is called congestive heart failure (CHF).

What are the treatment options and prognosis?

If a PDA is not corrected, most patients progress to CHF and prognosis is poor. Fortunately, there are excellent treatment options. Once treated, most dogs have excellent prognosis for normal life-span.

Treatment options include surgical correction with open-chest surgery, or minimally invasive closure using catheters in blood vessels in the leg. The best treatment is case-dependent, and your cardiologist can help discuss the options that best suit your pet’s needs.