PATENT DUCTUS ARTERIOSUS

WordNet Dictionary
	Definition:		[n]  a ductus arteriosus that failed to close at birth; may require surgical correction
	See Also:		ductus arteriosus
Medical Dictionary
	Definition:		A heart defect in which a fetal structure remains open, causing excess blood flow through the lungs.
Biology Dictionary
	Definition:		Ductus arteriosus is important in fetal circulation because it diverts most of the relatively unsaturated blood from the right ventricle to the trunk and lower body and enables the fetal head to receive better oxygenated blood. However, in post-partum circulation, patent ductus arteriosus functions as a right to left shunt, thus reduces the oxygen saturation of the arterial blood.
	Synonyms:		PDA