Infective endarteritis in patent ductus arteriosus (PDA)

Infective endarteritis in patent ductus arteriosus (PDA)

Infective endarteritis is less likely in a very small PDA as well as a large PDA. In both these situations, a high velocity jet causing endothelial damage is unlikely. It is more likely in moderate sized PDAs and small PDAs. Hence there is no role for closing very small PDA without continuous murmur. In PDA infective endarteritis, the vegetations occur either at the pulmonary end of the ductus or in the wall of the pulmonary artery opposite the ductus, where the jet strikes. Hence embolic abscesses are more likely to occur in the lung, that is septic pulmonary embolism, than in the systemic circulation. Those who developed PDA endarteritis definitely need closure of the ductus at a later date after complete resolution of endarteritis.