closure of the ductus arteriosus occurs during the remainder of the pregnancy.
when does closure of the ductus arteriosus occur?
remainder of the pregnancy
section::::clinical significance.:patent ductus arteriosus.





























section::::clinical significance.:patent ductus arteriosus.:consequences.





























failure of the ductus arteriosus to close after birth results in a condition called patent ductus arteriosus, which results in the abnormal flow of blood from the aorta to the pulmonary artery: a left-to-right shunt. if left uncorrected, this usually leads to pulmonary hypertension followed by right ventricular heart failure, as well as possible cardiac arrhythmias.





























section::::clinical significance.:patent ductus arteriosus.:role of prostaglandins.
ductus arteriosus
the "e" series of prostaglandins are responsible for maintaining the openness of the ductus arteriosus (by dilation of vascular smooth muscle) throughout the fetal period. prostaglandin e2 (pge), produced by both the placenta and the da itself, is the most potent of the e prostaglandins, but prostaglandin e1 (pge) also has a role in keeping the da open. pge and pge keep the ductus arteriosus open via involvement of specific pge-sensitive receptors (such as ep4 and ep2). ep4 is the major receptor associated with pge-induced dilation of the da and can be found across the da in smooth muscle cells.
ductus arteriosus