The ductus arteriosus: physiology, regulation, and functional and congenital anomalies.

Over the last three decades, knowledge about fundamental and clinical aspects of the ductus arteriosus has substantially improved, leading to considerable progress in the management of various cardiac diseases involving the ductus. The identification of the mechanisms regulating ductal patency led to design pharmacological drugs to achieve medical closure of PDA in premature infants, or inversely to maintain patency in neonates with duct-dependent congenital heart diseases. Concurrently, widespread availability of echocardiography has improved the detection of congenital PDA, resulting in earlier treatment. Closure of PDA, by either surgery or transcatheter techniques, can now be achieved safely, resulting in a decrease in the incidence of severe complications of PDA.