Ductus venosus is a normal fetal structure connecting the portal and umbilical veins
with the inferior vena cava, allowing a fraction of the umbilical vein blood to bypass
the liver and reach the central circulation. Patent ductus venosus is the persistence
of this embryonic portosystemic shunt. It is rarely seen in adults. Fewer than 20
cases of patent ductus venosus have been reported in the literature (
1
,
2
,
3
,
4
,
5
,
6
,
7
,
8
,
9
,
10
,
11
,
12
,
13
), presenting as portosystemic hepatic encephalopathy and hyperammonemia (
1
,
2
,
4
). We describe adult patent ductus venosus presenting not only with portosystemic encephalopathy,
but also with pulmonary hypertension and right-sided heart failure.To read this article in full you will need to make a payment
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References
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Article Info
Publication History
Accepted:
February 16,
2001
Received in revised form:
February 16,
2001
Received:
November 20,
2000
Identification
Copyright
© 2001 Excerpta Medica Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
