Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) is a Zoloft heart condition in which a newborn’s ductus arteriosus, the blood vessel between the aorta and pulmonary artery, fails to close normally soon after birth. PDA leads to abnormal blood flow between the aorta and pulmonary artery. Patent Ductus Arteriosus can result in serious cardiovascular problems and even death.
Before birth, the aorta and pulmonary artery are connected by a blood vessel called the ductus arteriosus. The pulmonary artery supplies blood to the lungs. The aorta supplies blood to the body. The ductus arteriosus allows blood from the pulmonary artery to bypass the lungs and flow directly to the aorta. It is essential for fetal circulation.
Shortly after birth, when a baby’s lungs fill with air, the ductus arteriosus no longer is needed. It normally will close shortly after birth, usually within a couple days. The closure of the blood vessel allows a newborn to breathe air outside the womb.
Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) after Zoloft in pregnancy? You may have a right to file a Zoloft lawsuit to recover compensation for Zoloftn PDA side effects. Our national Zoloft injury and wrongful death law firm helps families across the U.S. file claims for Zoloft heart defect side effects damages. Time limits apply. Act now. Get a free, no-obligation consultation. Submit the Zoloft attorney contact form on this page or call us toll-free. 800-845-6913
The medical term “patent” means open. Patent Ductus Arteriosus describes the condition that occurs when the ductus arteriosus remains open after birth. PDA allows oxygen-poor blood from the pulmonary artery to mix with oxygen-rich blood from the aorta. If the patent ductus doesn’t close, a newborn risks suffering heart failure, pulmonary artery hypertension, and an infection of the inner lining of the heart called infective endocarditis. These heart problems can result in a baby’s death. For a newborn to survive and thrive, it is critical that Patent Ductus Arteriosus is diagnosed quickly and proper medical care and treatment is provided without delay.
Patent Ductus Arteriosus also is common in newborns with other Zoloft heart defects:
- Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS)
- Transposition of the Great Vessels (TGV)
- Pulmonary Stenosis (PS)
PDA occurs more frequently in girls than boys and is more common in premature infants than those born full-term.
Symptoms and Diagnosis of PDA
Some babies born with a small PDA may not have symptoms and appear normal. In some cases, a small PDA may not be diagnosed until later in childhood. However, a newborn with a larger PDA may develop PDA symptoms. Patent Ductus Arteriosus symptoms include the following:
- Fast, pounding heart (Tachycardia)
- Rapid, difficult breathing (Tachypnea)
- Shortness of breath (Dyspnea)
- Poor feeding habits, not eating
- Sweaty or clammy skin while feeding
- Being unusually tired, sleepy, lethargic or inactive
- Poor growth
The symptoms of Patent Ductus Arteriosus may resemble other infant heart problems and newborn medical conditions. Babies with PDA symptoms are referred to a pediatric cardiologist for diagnosis. Infants with a PDA may have a characteristic heart murmur that can be heard on physical examination using a stethoscope. In addition to physical examination, other tests are needed to confirm a PDA diagnosis. These diagnostic tests include a chest X-ray and echocardiogram (echo).
Treatment for PDA
The goal of PDA treatment with otherwise normal or close to normal circulation is to close the Patent Ductus Arteriosus. If your baby has certain other heart problems, such as Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS), the PDA may save your babies life. In such HLHS cases, the goal of PDA treatment may be to keep the ductus arteriosus open.
In premature babies, a PDA often will close on its own within the first 2 years of life. In full-term newborns, a PDA that doesn’t close within the first few weeks after birth rarely will close on its own without medical or surgical intervention.
Medical treatments to close a PDA include IV administration of medicines such as indomethacin or a special form of the medication ibuprofen. Often used for premature infants, this treatment works by stimulating the muscles inside the PDA to constrict and close the opening in the ductus arteriosus. Other medication that may be prescribed include digoxin, a medication to strengthen the heart muscle, and diuretics (water pills).
If medications are not indicated or do not successfully close the PDA, a medical procedure or surgery may be required. Transcatheter coil closure of the Patent Ductus Arteriosus is the least invasive medical procedure. The procedure involves passing a tiny metal coil through a thin tube to the site of the PDA to block blood flow through the vessel. It was developed for the closure of a PDA without surgery. Premature newborns usually are too small to for this procedure.
When transcatheter coil closure cannot be performed or is unsuccessful, the PDA may need to be repaired surgically. The surgical procedure is called a PDA ligation. This surgery involves closure of the PDA with stitches or clips and is performed under general anesthesia.
Prognosis for Babies with Patent Ductus Arteriosus
The long-term outlook for a child born with a Patent Ductus Arteriosus depends on the size of the opening, the gestational age of the child at birth, and the other medical problems from which the baby suffers. Most children born full-term with a PDA will live healthy lives so long as their PDA is diagnosed quickly and treated properly. Newborns with a small Patent Ductus Arteriosus may never develop PDA symptoms. If babies with a moderate or large PDA do not receive proper treatment, serious heart problems and even death may result.
Zoloft PDA Lawsuit Claims : Patent Ductus Arteriosus Settlement
Concerned parents and across the United States are choosing to file compensation claims for Zoloft Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) damages. Zoloft lawsuits claims for PDA damages allege that drug company Pfizer failed to warn of the PDA side effects risks linked to use of the SSRI antidepressant drug Zoloft during pregnancy.
If you or a loved on took Zoloft while pregnant and your baby suffered Patent Ductus Arteriosus, you may have a right to file a Zoloft lawsuit claim for substantial financial compensation and be entitled to a Zoloft PDA settlement.
Contact us now for a free, no-obligation consultation with an experienced Zoloft lawsuit attorney. Let us answer all of your Zoloft PDA heart defect lawsuit questions and help you recover the compensation you and your family deserve. Use the Zoloft attorney contact request form on this page or call us toll-free. 800-845-6913