A Ductus Arteriosus That Fails to Close After Birth

Question

A ductus arteriosus that fails to close after birth
A) allows blood to shunt from the left ventricle to the right ventricle.
B) causes immediate and severe cyanosis.
C) is called a right-to-left shunt.
D) allows blood to shunt from the aorta to the pulmonary artery.

Accepted Answer

A ductus arteriosus that fails to close after birth allows blood to shunt from the aorta to the pulmonary artery, resulting in increased pulmonary blood flow and potentially causing heart failure if left untreated. This condition is called patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). It does not cause immediate and severe cyanosis, as seen in some other congenital heart defects, and it is not a right-to-left shunt.