he ductus arteriosus (DA) is a structure that allows blood pumped from the right side of the heart to bypass the lungs while the fetus is developing in utero. Normally, the DA closes shortly after birth and becomes the ligamentum arteriosum. When the DA fails to close (remains open, or patent) after birth, it is known as patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). This acyanotic congenital heart defect causes abnormal blood flow from the left to the right side of the heart and can lead to heart failure and failure to thrive in neonates.

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