Patent Ductus Arteriosus — To Close or Not to Close?

The ductus arteriosus is an essential fetal cardiac conduit that allows for the diversion of blood from the pulmonary artery to the aorta for systemic circulation in utero. At term birth, separation from the placenta and expansion of the lungs leads to reduced pulmonary-artery pressure and increased oxygen saturation, which are key contributors to closure of the duct.1 However, in premature infants, birth itself is often not sufficient to close the duct, leading to patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), the most common cardiac condition in newborn infants.1 The probability of PDA is inversely proportional to gestational age at birth, with infants . . .