Ligation in adult persistent ductus arteriosus.

Seventy one patients with a persistent ductus arteriosus were operated upon at the Cardiovascular Unit in Gülhane Military Medical Academy. The mean age of these cases was 24 years. Twenty five patients (35%) were asymptomatic. The average pulmonary artery systolic pressure was 50 +/- 22 mmHg. In the majority of the cases the ductus was ligated (91.5%), but 6 of the cases were treated by division (8.5%). Early and late complications or mortality were not encountered. In this study 71 cases are reviewed: the preoperative cardiac catheterization and the operative findings are studied in relation to the surgical procedures used. Ligation is a simple, quick and effective surgical treatment for persistent ductus arteriosus in adults.