Congenital Abnormalities

Patent Ductus Arteriosus

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This is an example of patent ductus arteriosus heard at the pulmonic position.

Before birth, the two major arteries—the aorta and the pulmonary artery—are connected by a blood vessel called the ductus arteriosus.

Shortly after birth the patent ductus closes and turns into a ligament. However, in certain abnormal circumstances the patent ductus remains open allowing blood to flow from the aorta into the pulmonary artery causing a strain on the right ventricle.

The first heart sound is normal. The second heart sound is obscured by a continuous crescendo-decrescendo murmur which runs from the beginning of systole to the end of diastole peaking at the second heart sound.

In the anatomy tab you can see an enlarged left atrium and left ventricle and turbulent blood flow from the aorta to the pulmonary artery through the patent ductus.

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The recommended auscultation position for the stethoscope is the Pulmonic position. For this sound, use stethoscope's Diaphragm.

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The recommended patient position is Supine

Phonocardiogram

This waveform plots sound amplitude on the vertical axis against time on the horizontal axis.

Heart Animation

Lessons

Coarctation of the Aorta
Patent Ductus Arteriosus
Atrial Septal Defect
Ventricular Septal Defect
Tetralogy of Fallot
Ebstein's Anomaly

Practice Drill

Listening Tips
A synopsis of important sound features and timing for this abnormality.
Systole: Crescendo-decrescendo murmur, peaking late systole.
S2: Obscured.
Diastole: Crescendo-decrescendo murmur continuing from systole.

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