The document discusses the Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA), which is a persistent opening between the pulmonary artery and the aorta that usually closes shortly after birth. It provides details on the epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical features, diagnostic measures, and management of PDA. PDA is more common in preterm infants and left untreated can cause complications like pulmonary hypertension, congestive heart failure, and infections. Treatment involves the use of medications like indomethacin or ibuprofen to close the opening or surgical ligation if medications fail. Nursing care focuses on relieving respiratory distress, improving cardiac output and oxygenation, adequate nutrition, and preventing infections.

1. Patent Ductus Arteriosus
PDA is a communication between the
pulmonary artery and aorta
JERIN.T.S, 3RD YEAR BSC
NURSING, KRSMCON

2. Epidemiology
PDA is reported in 12-15% of the
infants
Preterm infants PDA is more which is
directly related to their weight and
gestational age
Almost 1/3rd
of infants with gestational
age of 34 weeks or less manifest clinical
evidence of PDA
Female:male :: 2:1
JERIN.T.S, 3RD YEAR BSC
NURSING, KRSMCON

3. Fetal circulation
JERIN.T.S, 3RD YEAR BSC
NURSING, KRSMCON

4. Etiology
 Complex interaction between
mechanical, neural, hormonal,
and chemical factors result in
functional and usually complete
closure of PDA
But……….
JERIN.T.S, 3RD YEAR BSC NURSING,
KRSMCON MANGALORE. PH:
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5. When a term infant is found to have PDA,
the wall of the ductus is deficient in both
the mucoid endothelial layer and the
muscular media.
In premature infants patency is due to
hypoxia and immaturity
Maternal rubella infection
Patients who live at high altitude
Systolic and diastolic overloading of the
pulmonary artery
prostaglandins
JERIN.T.S, 3RD YEAR BSC
NURSING, KRSMCON

6. Pathophysiology
Blood flow from increased pressure in aorta
↓
↓ Pressure in pulmonary artery
↓
Left to right shunt
It is not a direct shunt,
from left ventricle→ aorta→ pulmonary
artery→ right ventricle
JERIN.T.S, 3RD YEAR BSC
NURSING, KRSMCON

7. Blood from aorta
↓
Pulmonary artery
↓
Additional blood recirculates through lungs
↓
Recirculates through left atrium→ left ventricle
↓
↑sed
work load on left side of the heart(left atrium enlarges)
↓
↑sed
pulmonary vascular congestion and resistance
JERIN.T.S, 3RD YEAR BSC
NURSING, KRSMCON

8. Clinical features
1. Small PDA –asymptomatic
2. Large PDA
a) Murmur: machinery/ pan systolic, apical
diastolic murmur
a) Wide pulse pressure: reflected by bounding
peripheral pulses due to systemic leak from
aorta to pulmonary artery
JERIN.T.S, 3RD YEAR BSC
NURSING, KRSMCON

9. c) Growth retardation
d) Exertional dyspnoea
e) Left ventricular failure and CCF
f) Precordial pain and hoarsness of voice
g) Tachypnoea
h) Tachycardia and palpitations
i) Lower respiratory tract infection
j) Prominent neck vessels
k) left subclavicular thrill (dialatation of
ascending aorta)
JERIN.T.S, 3RD YEAR BSC
NURSING, KRSMCON

10. Diagnostic measures
Roentgenography: cardiac enlargement,
prominent ascending aorta, plethoric
pulmonary vasculature
Electrocardiograhy: shows deep Q waves
with tall T waves, ST segment changes.
2D Echocardiography done with color
doppler confirms the diagnosis
Cardiac catheterization
JERIN.T.S, 3RD YEAR BSC
NURSING, KRSMCON

11. Management
Medical:
Fluid restriction
Indomethacin ( PG synthesis inhibitor)
0.2mg/kg IV Q12 hrs for 3 doses
Repeat Indomethacin if treatment fails or
ductus reopens
IV Ibuprofen 10mg/kg bolus then
5mg/kg× 2days
Surgical ligation if still fails
JERIN.T.S, 3RD YEAR BSC
NURSING, KRSMCON

12. Full term infants, children, and
adolescents
• PDA often asymptomatic, treatment is
electively scheduled after 1 year of age
• Surgical: closure of ligation posterolateral
thoracotomy
VATS: video assisted thoracoscopic surgery
Therapeutic catheterization with an
“umbrella” device or coil procedure in
anatomically favourable small ductus
JERIN.T.S, 3RD YEAR BSC
NURSING, KRSMCON

13. Different devices used for the
closure
Double umbrella devices
Adjusted buttoned device
Gianturco coils
Risk of operation increases after the age of
15yrs because aortic wall around the
aortic attachment of the PDA becomes
more friable in adult life so risk of tear is
more during operation
JERIN.T.S, 3RD YEAR BSC
NURSING, KRSMCON

14. Complication
Pulmonary hypertension
Congestive cardiac failure
Infective endarteritis
Aneurismal dilatation of the pulmonary Artery
Calcification of the ductus
Non infective thrombosis
Pulmonary or systemic emboli
Paradoxical emboli
JERIN.T.S, 3RD YEAR BSC
NURSING, KRSMCON

15. Complications Resulting from
surgery
1) Injury to the
a) Laryngeal nerve (hoarsness)
b) Left phrenic nerve (paralysis of the left
hemidiaphragm)
c) Thoracic duct ( Chylothorax)
2) Recanalization (reopening) is very rare
JERIN.T.S, 3RD YEAR BSC
NURSING, KRSMCON

16. Prevention
Immunization against rubella
Reduce the preterm births
Prompt treatment of preterm infant with
surfactant
Use of high oscillation ventilators for lung
diseases
Early recognition of PDA
Repeated infusions are used with caution
JERIN.T.S, 3RD YEAR BSC
NURSING, KRSMCON

17. Nursing care of the child with heart
disease
1. Nursing assessment:
A) Nursing history & to become familiar with
the child & family
B) Childs growth & development
C) Level of exercise tolerance
D) Observe for chest deformities &
precordial bulge
E) Palpate for pulse in all extremities &
neck JERIN.T.S, 3RD YEAR BSC
NURSING, KRSMCON

18. F) Observe for skin & mucous membrane for
color & temperature changes:
Skin: color vary form pink, dusky, mottled,
blue. Ear lobes are good indicators of O2
saturation
Mucous membrane: Lips & tongue indicate
color change because they are vascular
areas
Extremities: for coolness, any change of
temperaturefrom upper to lower limbs,
varience in pulse of 4 extremities, &
odema
Cyanosis: central or peripheral, duration,
continuous or intermittentJERIN.T.S, 3RD YEAR BSC
NURSING, KRSMCON

19. G) Observe for clubbing specially after 1 yr
of age
H) Auscultate the child’s heart:
• count apical pulse for 1 full minute
• determine rhythm n its changes
• familiarise with murmur & type
I) Record vital signs,apical pulse, BP,
RESP
J) Look for & record any other congenital
defects.
JERIN.T.S, 3RD YEAR BSC
NURSING, KRSMCON

20. Nursing interventions
A. Relieving respiratory distress:
1. Determine the degree of resp distress:
a) infants: >60b/min indicates difficulty
b) Young children: >40b/min
c) Observe for regularity of respiration
d) Observe for retractions
e) Observe for any response to change in
positioning
f) Observe for nasal flaring , grunting
g) Observe for color change, irritability, anxiety
JERIN.T.S, 3RD YEAR BSC
NURSING, KRSMCON

21. ,2. Raise the head end, position the child at
45o
angle to decrease pressure of the
viscera on the diaphragm & increase
lung volume:
a) infant: prone or propped on knees
b) children: arm chair fashion fowlers
position
3. Tilt the infants or childs head back slightly
so as to keep the airway straight
4. Suction the nose & throat if the child is
unable to cough up the secretions
JERIN.T.S, 3RD YEAR BSC
NURSING, KRSMCON

22. 5. Feed slowly, allowing frequent rest
periods:
a.Rapid respiration & frequent coughing
predispose the child to aspiration
b. Child requires gavage feeding
c. Observe for abdominal distention, which
may increase respiratory difficulty. If
present insert NG tube
6. Provide O2
if indicated
JERIN.T.S, 3RD YEAR BSC
NURSING, KRSMCON

23. 7. Administer diuretics as ordered
a. Monitor effectiveness
b. I/O chart, Weigh Diapers
c. Specific gravity of urine
d. Weigh daily same time same scale
e. Restrict fluids if indicated
f. Monitor S. Electrolytes n replace as
necessary
JERIN.T.S, 3RD YEAR BSC
NURSING, KRSMCON

24. B. Improve cardiac output
I. Organize nursing care so that child gets
enough rest
II. Avoid unnecessary activities like frequent
bath, changing cloths
III. Prevent excessive crying:
• Anticipate the need
• Hold the infant
• Feed when hungry
• Keep the infant Comfortable
JERIN.T.S, 3RD YEAR BSC
NURSING, KRSMCON

25. IV. Explain to child/parents the need for
rest
V. Provide diversional activities
VI. Thermoregulation
VII. Prevent constipation
VIII. Administer medications ordered
JERIN.T.S, 3RD YEAR BSC
NURSING, KRSMCON

26. C. Improve oxygenation & activity
tolerance
• Provide a safe, effective O2 environment
• Explain the use of O2
• Observe child response to O2
• Observe for child response while weaned
from O2
JERIN.T.S, 3RD YEAR BSC
NURSING, KRSMCON

27. D. Provide adequate nutrition
1. Feed slowly, frequently in a semierrect position
2. Provide food easy to chew & swallow
3. Don’t prolong feeding time
4. Provide high caloric, high iron & K+ & low Na+
5. Determine child likes & dislikes
6. Strict I/O chart
7. Monitor daily weight
JERIN.T.S, 3RD YEAR BSC
NURSING, KRSMCON

28. E. Preventing infection
1. Prevent exposure to communicable
diseases
2. Check child immunization status
3. Practice asepsis
4. Report signs of infection
5. Be certain about prophylactice antibiotics
JERIN.T.S, 3RD YEAR BSC
NURSING, KRSMCON

29. F. Reducing fear
1. Explain the cardiac problem to child &
parents
• Discuss with them & be truthful
2. Prepare the child for diagnostic &
Therapeutic procedures
3. Prepare the child & parents for corrective
surgery
4. Refer them to appropriate resources.S
JERIN.T.S, 3RD YEAR BSC
NURSING, KRSMCON
MANGALORE. PH: