Patent ductus arteriosus may close on its own given more time. This is more likely to happen in babies who were born too early. If your baby’s ductus is small and not causing problems, your doctor may suggest waiting to see if it closes in your child’s first year or two.
If the ductus is large, is likely to cause problems or is already causing problems with your baby’s blood flow or breathing, your doctor will suggest taking steps to close it.
Patent Ductus Arteriosus Treatment Options
Medicine
In premature babies, medicines may make the ductus tighten and close. Doctors use indomethacin or ibuprofen to do this.
Catheterization
In full-term babies, the ductus arteriosus can usually be closed in the cardiac catheterization laboratory. A small device that can block the ductus is threaded through a blood vessel in your baby’s leg, up to their heart.
Surgery
Some children need surgery to close the ductus. Your child might need surgery if catheterization does not work for them, they need treatment soon and are too small to have catheterization, or they need surgery anyway for other heart problems.