The ductus arteriosus is a short blood vessel that connects the main blood vessel supplying the lungs to the aorta, the main blood vessel that leaves the heart. Its function in the unborn baby is to allow blood to bypass the lungs, because oxygen for the blood comes from the mother and not from breathing air. In full-term babies, the ductus arteriosus closes shortly after birth, but it frequently stays open in premature babies. When this happens, excess blood flows into the lungs and can cause breathing difficulties and sometimes heart failure. Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is often treated with a medication called indomethacin or ibuprofen, which is successful in closing the ductus arteriosus in more than 80% of infants requiring these medications. However, if medical therapy fails, then surgery may be required to close the ductus.
**Right after surgery, enjoying his drug induced sleep!**
**Henry's war wound from surgery, on his left side**
**The happy daddy post surgery!**
2 comments:
He is just such a cutie! I remember when Bobby and Maya were only in diapers and in their little isolettes!
Get better soon sweetie!!!
Post a Comment