Document Detail


Patent ductus arteriosus: patho-physiology, hemodynamic effects and clinical complications.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  21892883     Owner:  NLM     Status:  Publisher    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
During fetal life, patent arterial duct diverts placental oxygenated blood from the pulmonary artery into the aorta by-passing lungs. After birth, decrease of prostacyclins and prostaglandins concentration usually causes arterial duct closure. This process may be delayed, or may even completely fail in preterm infants with arterial duct still remaining patent. If that happens, blood flow by-pass of the systemic circulation through the arterial duct results in pulmonary overflow and systemic hypoperfusion. When pulmonary flow is 50% higher than systemic flow, a hemodynamic "paradox" results, with an increase of left ventricular output without a subsequent increase of systemic output. Cardiac overload support neuro-humoral effects (activation of sympathetic nervous system and renin-angiotensin system) that finally promote heart failure. Moreover, increased pulmonary blood flow can cause vascular congestion and pulmonary edema. However, the most dangerous effect is cerebral under-perfusion due to diastolic reverse-flow and resulting in cerebral hypoxia. At last, blood flow decreases through the abdominal aorta, reducing perfusion of liver, gut and kidneys and may cause hepatic failure, renal insufficiency and necrotizing enterocolitis. Conclusions Large patent arterial duct may cause life-threatening multi-organ effects. In pre-term infant early diagnosis and timely effective treatment are cornerstones in the prevention of cerebral damage and long-term multi-organ failure.
Authors:
Giovanbattista Capozzi; Giuseppe Santoro
Related Documents :
3828553 - Measurement of total respiratory impedance via the endotracheal tube; a model study.
9675673 - Effects of disturbed flow on endothelial cells.
2652963 - Influence of regional anesthesia, local anesthetics, and sympathicomimetics on the path...
Publication Detail:
Type:  JOURNAL ARTICLE     Date:  2011-9-6
Journal Detail:
Title:  The journal of maternal-fetal & neonatal medicine : the official journal of the European Association of Perinatal Medicine, the Federation of Asia and Oceania Perinatal Societies, the International Society of Perinatal Obstetricians     Volume:  -     ISSN:  1476-4954     ISO Abbreviation:  -     Publication Date:  2011 Sep 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2011-9-6     Completed Date:  -     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  101136916     Medline TA:  J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med     Country:  -    
Other Details:
Languages:  ENG     Pagination:  -     Citation Subset:  -    
Affiliation:
Paediatric Cardiology Unit, Second University of Naples, Monaldi Hospital , Naples , Italy.
Export Citation:
APA/MLA Format     Download EndNote     Download BibTex
MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


Previous Document:  Maternal omega-3 fatty acid supplementation protects against lipopolysaccharide-induced white matter...
Next Document:  Tangible words are recognized faster: The grounding of meaning in sensory and perceptual systems.