Can a patent ductus arteriosus ever be a GOOD thing?
Yes. Some babies have heart defects that require the patent ductus arteriosus to remain open for them to survive. In some heart defects, such as pulmonary atresia (an underdeveloped or blocked pulmonary valve), the patent ductus arteriosus supplies the only adequate source of blood flow to the lungs so that oxygen can be delivered to the blood. In these patients, the ductus arteriosus supplies blood to the lungs from the aorta. In other anomalies, such as underdeveloped or severely narrowed aorta (like that seen in hypoplastic left heart syndrome), the patent ductus arteriosus is crucial to allow adequate blood flow to the body. In these patents, the ductus arteriosus supplies blood to the body from the pulmonary artery. This medication is given intravenously (IV) and requires the baby to be closely monitored in the intensive care unit. Keeping the patent ductus arteriosus open using this medication allows stabilization of the newborn until more definitive treatment, usually surgical,
