Some types of congenital heart disease may be referred to as duct-dependent, referring to the ductus arteriosus.
Clinical features:
(1) presence of severe cardiac malformations
(2) patency of the ductus arteriosus is required to maintain an adequate circulation
Cardiac malformations that may be duct-dependent:
(1) cyanotic heart disease (pulmonary atresia or stenosis, tricuspid atresia, severe tetralogy of Fallot, transposition of the great arteries)
(2) left heart obstructive lesions (hypoplastic left heart, coarctation of the aorta, interrupted aortic arch)
If the ductus closes, then cyanosis worsens and circulation deteriorates, with lactic acid and multi-organ failure.
The patency of the ductus arteriosus is maintained by infusion of prostaglandin E1. A stent can also be placed.
