在子宫内,动脉导管未闭是作为一个管道来沟通肺内的静脉血的。胎儿的肺脏充满液体,肺血流经动脉导管通往胎盘,以完成氧的交换。正常胎儿出生后,动脉导管收缩,在几天之内便关闭不通了。但是,早产儿(尤其是体重低于5磅的)的动脉导管往往不能自行关闭。在某些类型的先天性心脏病,动脉导管的存在是有利的。举例来说,新生儿具有右 In the uterus, patent ductus arteriosus is used as a conduit to communicate venous blood in the lungs. Fetal lungs filled with fluid, pulmonary blood flow through the ductus leading to the placenta in order to complete the exchange of oxygen. Normal fetal birth, the ductus contractions within a few days will be closed nowhere. However, premature infants, especially those weighing less than 5 pounds, often can not close themselves. In some types of congenital heart disease, the presence of an arterial catheter is advantageous. For example, a newborn has right