Patent Ductus Arteriosus

Patent Ductus Arteriosus

Signs and Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment

Diagnosis

To diagnose patent ductus arteriosis (PDA), your doctor will conduct a thorough medical exam. Most children with PDA have a distinctive heart murmur, which can be easily detected by a doctor. Tests may be performed to make a definite diagnosis and rule out other conditions that cause heart murmurs. These may include:

• Chest X-ray to see the heart's size
• Echocardiogram, a test that uses sound waves to create a moving picture of the heart.
• Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG), a test that records the electrical activity of the heart.

Reviewed by health care specialists at UCSF Children's Hospital.
Last updated May 8, 2007