Successful patent ductus arteriosus device closure in a patient with massive pulmonary embolism

J Cardiol Cases. 2014 Jun 9;10(2):62-65. doi: 10.1016/j.jccase.2014.05.001. eCollection 2014 Aug.

Abstract

Patent ductus arteriosus, an essential vasculature structure during fetal life that becomes abnormal after 3 months of age, may be silent. However, the incidence of silent patent ductus arteriosus is as high as 1 in 500 patients. Existence of patent ductus arteriosus leads to left-to-right shunt. The development of pulmonary embolism in left-to-right shunt is rare. We present a case of a 33-year-old male patient who was incidentally diagnosed to have large patent ductus arteriosus along with the left-to-right shunt while being treated for pulmonary embolism. The patient was treated electively with device closure of patent ductus arteriosus. <Learning objective: Pulmonary embolism in left-to-right shunt (although there is a large patent ductus arteriosus) cannot be overlooked. Device closure of large patent ductus arteriosus is possible in patients with massive pulmonary embolism.>.

Keywords: Left-to-right shunt; Patent ductus arteriosus; Pulmonary embolism.

Publication types

  • Case Reports