Atypical Patent Ductus Arteriosus in Infancy

Summary A brief account is given of atypical patent ductus arteriosus in infancy. It is presumed that there must be many cases that are never diagnosed or treated, and that are not recognized even post mortem. Thorough cardiological investigation should be undertaken in all acyanotic infants where there is the least suspicion of atypical patent ductus arteriosus. With the aid of phonocardiography it can be demonstrated that a continuous murmur is commoner among infants with atypical patent ductus than was formerly believed. The operative risks are probably very much smaller than is generally supposed.