Patent Ductus Arteriosus Ligation

Also known as: PDA ligation, PDA surgery.

What is PDA ligation?

Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is a heart defect that’s present at birth. When the condition is present, a vein that normally closes at birth (the ductus arteriosus) stays open. The result is that oxygen-rich blood that should be circulating into the body instead goes back to the lungs. PDA ligation is a procedure to repair this problem.

What happens during the procedure?

PDA ligation may be performed with a catheter (a long, thin tube), or through a small incision ini the left chest. The PDA is with a metal coil delivered by the catheter or with a small metal clip.

Is any special preparation needed?

PDA ligation is done under general anesthesia. The child may need to restrict food and drink intake for a period of time before the procedure. Certain medications may also need to be discontinued temporarily.

What are the risk factors?

The risks are much lower than they are for an open-heart surgery. Infection, bleeding, temporary dysfunction of a nerve affecting the vocal cords or incomplete closure of the PDA are possibilities.

What to expect?

PDA ligation is performed by Nicklaus Children’s Hospital’s team of top-notch pediatric heart surgeons and interventional cardiologists using the latest cutting edge techniques.

Reviewed by: Robert L Hannan, MD

This page was last updated on: 3/4/2026 10:37:12 AM