12/12/2020
Ductus Arteriosus is a Fetal Blood Vessel to Bypass the Lungs
Ductus arteriosus is the connection in the fetal heart that allows blood to flow from the pulmonary artery to the systemic aorta. This happens because the lungs are not functioning during fetal life. The ductus arteriosus thus bypasses the pulmonary circulation. At birth, when the pulmonary circulation is established the ductus arteriosus should close completely. If the ductus arteriosus persists even after the birth, blood regurgitates from the aorta to the pulmonary artery where the pressure is relatively lower. This reduces the volume of blood entering the systemic circulation and increases the volume of blood in the pulmonary circulation. This condition leads to pulmonary congestion and eventually cardiac failure.
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