Patent Ductus Arteriosus Closure: How Long Is the Hospital Stay?

Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) is a congenital heart condition that was once primarily treated through open surgery. However, with the advancement of medical technology, minimally invasive procedures have become the preferred method for treating PDA. These modern techniques significantly reduce hospital stays and offer high success rates.

Understanding the Minimally Invasive Procedure

Instead of undergoing traditional open-heart surgery, patients today can opt for a catheter-based intervention. During this procedure, a small device known as a closure device or occluder is inserted through a blood vessel in the leg and guided to the heart to seal the abnormal opening. This method is not only less invasive but also minimizes recovery time and discomfort.

Typical Hospital Stay Duration

Most patients undergoing PDA closure are required to stay in the hospital for about a week. However, if all necessary pre-admission tests have been completed prior to hospitalization, some patients may be discharged as early as 3 to 4 days post-procedure. This makes the overall hospital stay much shorter compared to the past.

Historical Comparison and Advantages

In the past, PDA treatment often required surgical ligation, which involved a longer hospital stay of up to two weeks or even 20 days. With the development of interventional cardiology, this has been drastically reduced. Today, most eligible patients are encouraged to choose the minimally invasive approach, commonly referred to as transcatheter closure or device occlusion.

Why Choose Interventional Closure?

Interventional closure offers numerous benefits over traditional surgery, including reduced pain, faster recovery, and fewer complications. It also eliminates the need for a large incision, allowing patients to return to their normal activities much sooner. Given these advantages, it's no surprise that this method has become the standard of care for many PDA cases.