Blood carries oxygen throughout the body. However, babies don’t oxygenate their blood supplies — their mothers do. Because of this, blood doesn’t pass through the baby’s lungs before birth. Instead, it bypasses the lungs thanks to the ductus arteriosus, an artery that connects the heart’s aorta and the lung’s main artery (pulmonary artery). A few days after a baby is born and breathes air, this artery closes. When it doesn’t, extra blood enters the arteries of the baby’s lungs. This condition is known as patent ductus arteriosus (PDA).
When PDA is present, the child’s heart and lungs are stressed by handling too much blood.
In infants, medicine, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, often works to close the artery. Otherwise, cardiac catheterization or open heart surgery may help. When children with PDA enter adulthood, they should continue seeing a cardiologist, such as one available at the Adult Congenital Heart Program, part of UK Gill Heart & Vascular Institute. Experts at the Adult Congenital Heart Program, based in Lexington, provide ongoing management that helps identify complications early.
The effects of PDA depend on the size of the hole. Small, untreated PDAs might not cause any symptoms for adults, but larger PDAs can lead to symptoms that include:
- Feeling out of breath easily
- Heart murmur
- High blood pressure in the lungs (pulmonary hypertension)
Once the PDA is closed, most people go on to enjoy a normal, healthy life. Some even live their entire lives with small PDAs and never get the hole closed.
In rare cases, a small PDA gets diagnosed in adults. Treatment is necessary when this high blood flow to the lungs increases the risk of pulmonary hypertension. Left untreated long term, pulmonary hypertension may cause worsening symptoms, such as:
- Chest pain
- Dizziness and fainting
- Dry or bloody cough
- Fatigue and weakness
- Hoarseness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Shortness of breath
- Swelling in the feet, abdomen or legs
- Wheezing while breathing
The cause of PDA is usually unknown. Though PDA can affect anyone, the risk for this congenital heart defect is highest for:
- Babies who do not get enough oxygen at birth (respiratory distress syndrome)
- Children born with Down syndrome (trisomy 21) or other genetic disorders
- Females
- Premature infants
Children with congenital heart disease become adults with congenital heart disease (CHD). Ninety percent of children born with CHD have a normal life expectancy due to improved surgical interventions and better medical management. At all ages, close monitoring and expert care for CHD patients are essential. Despite this, studies indicate that 2 out of 3 young adults with CHD don’t transition from pediatric to adult CHD care. Not getting continued cardiac care can lead to a variety of health problems and poor outcomes.
To guide teens and their families through the transition, UK Gill Heart & Vascular Institute team members talk about the transition early and often. Starting at age 15, teens with CHD begin transition education. One Wednesday every month, a special transition clinic staffed by adult congenital heart disease providers, is held to meet with teens and their families to discuss important topics, including:
- Abilities and limitations experienced as an adult with CHD
- Lifelong need for proper CHD monitoring and treatment
- What adult CHD care may involve over the years
Additionally, once you transition to adult care with the Adult Congenital Heart Program at UK Gill Heart & Vascular Institute, we work hard to enable you to keep your appointments and testing on track. We also work hard to empower you with knowledge and assist you in being your best advocate to live your best life. If you miss an appointment, we will call to reschedule.
During your first visit to the UK Gill Heart & Vascular Institute’s Adult Congenital Heart Program, you’ll meet our clinic nurse, social worker and other members of your care team. You’ll also undergo imaging exams, which may include an echocardiogram or a cardiac MRI.
Once imaging is complete, you will meet with an adult congenital cardiologist and other team members for up to one hour. You’ll discuss the results of your echocardiogram and your health history and symptoms. You will also get in-depth education about your diagnosis, how it may affect you moving forward and possible treatment options. The meeting is also a great opportunity to ask any questions about living with CHD.
When coming to your appointment:
- Bring a list of any medications or supplements you take and surgeries you’ve undergone.
- Dress comfortably.
- Have your insurance information on hand. UK HealthCare accepts most insurers, and financial assistance is available.
- You may want a family member or friend with you to take notes or help ask questions.
Where we are located
The UK Gill Heart & Vascular Institute is located at 800 Rose St. in Pavilion G, on the first floor of UK Albert B. Chandler Hospital. We will mail you a map and directions when your appointment is scheduled.
Patient drop-off
Patients can be dropped off in front of the main entrance to Albert B. Chandler Hospital at 1000 S. Limestone. If you are dropped off at the main entrance, you’ll enter the revolving doors on the ground floor of the hospital. Take the main stairs just to the left (or elevator across the atrium) to the first floor of Pavilion A.
After climbing the stairs or taking the elevator, turn left. You’ll pass the Kentucky Wall and Kentucky Children’s Hospital on your right. Continue to the end of the hall until it comes to a T shape. Turn left and the Gill clinic entrance is across from an open area housing the organ donor wall.
Parking
It is easiest to park in the UK HealthCare Parking Garage, across from the hospital at 110 Transcript Ave.
There are two paths from this garage to the Gill clinic:
- You may take the free shuttle from Level A of the parking garage. You’ll exit the shuttle at the Pavilion A/ Pavilion G stop in front of the main entrance to the hospital. After climbing the stairs or taking the elevator, turn left. You’ll pass the Kentucky Wall and Kentucky Children’s Hospital on your right. Continue to the end of the hall until it comes to a T shape. Turn left and the Gill clinic entrance is across from an open area housing the organ donor wall.
- From Level C of the parking garage you may walk or take a golf cart across the pedway to the first floor of Pavilion A. Turn left past the help desk and walk away from the dining hall. You’ll pass the Kentucky Wall and Kentucky Children’s Hospital on your right. Continue to the end of the hall until it comes to a T shape. Turn left and the Gill clinic entrance is across from an open area housing the organ donor wall.
If you need help finding your way, information desks are located inside the main entrances to Pavilion A, both on the ground floor and at the end of the pedway on the first floor. You may also call the information desk at 859-323-5816.
Clinical trials provide access to novel treatments for those in the adult CHD program at UK Gill Heart & Vascular Institute. Through our Cardiology Clinical Research Center, patients benefit from advances in valve replacement and other therapies before they become standard treatment. Your care team will notify you if you qualify for an ongoing clinical trial.
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