Cardiac CTA with 3D Reconstruction for Diagnosing Bilateral Patent Ductus Arteriosi: A Case Series

摘要

A ductus arteriosus is a normal prenatal vascular connection between the descending aorta or brachiocephalic artery and the pulmonary artery. The ductus arteriosus arises from the distal sixth aortic arch at six-gestational weeks and contributes to 60% of fetal cardiac output throughout the pregnancy.1 The continuity of intrauterine life is partially dependent on the ductus arteriosus shunting blood from the right ventricular outflow tract to bypass the pulmonary arteries when the lungs are not yet participating in gas exchange. It commonly closes a few days after birth due to a decrease in the concentration of prostaglandins.