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Maintenance of the ductus arteriosus

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

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In some cyanotic heart disease it is necessary to maintain the duct to prolong survival. Patency of the ductus is encouraged by low oxygen partial pressure and high concentrations of prostaglandins E1 and E2.

Therapy includes:

  • prostaglandin E1 or E2 therapy - i.v. infusion or by mouth. Under extreme circumstances an intraosseous route may be used.

  • avoidance of oxygen supplementation - this is contraversial; some authorities maintain that oxygen therapy will not close a duct in cyanotic heart disease

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