Patent ductus arteriosus chest x ray


 * Associate Editor-In-Chief: Priyamvada Singh, M.B.B.S. [mailto:psingh@perfuse.org],, Assistant Editor-In-Chief: Kristin Feeney, B.S. [mailto:kfeeney@perfuse.org]

Overview
The findings on chest Xray depends on the degree of shunting between left and right system

Chest X Ray
The findings on chest Xray depends on the degree of shunting between left and right system

Small PDA
 * Normal heart size and vascularity.

Medium-sized PDA:
 * Occasionally, the ductus can be seen as a separate convexity between the aortic knob and the pulmonary artery segments.
 * Cardiomegaly related to left atrium and left ventricular volume overloads.
 * Increase in the pulmonary vascular markings.
 * The ascending aorta may be prominent due to increased flow.

Large-sized PDA:
 * Similar to a PDA complicated by pulmonary vascular disease.
 * Left ventricular overload regresses by adolescence and the heart size may revert to normal.
 * The apex may be tilted upward reflecting right ventricular hypertrophy.
 * The pulmonary trunk and its branches are markedly dilated and may show central calcification, but in the outer third there is an abrupt decrease in vascularity.