Patent ductus arteriosus at low and high altitudes: anatomical and haemodynamic features and their implications for transcatheter closure

Background : Living at high altitude increases the prevalence of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) and may affect its morphology. Aim : To compare the anatomical and haemodynamic features of isolated PDA in patients living at low and high altitudes (1,500–4,200 metres above sea level — m.a.s.l.). Methods : We studied retrospectively data from 1,404 consecutive patients — 708 living in lowland areas (group L) and 696 in highland areas (group H), in whom transcatheter closure of PDA was attempted. The mean age of the patients in group L was 9.9 ± 13.5 years and in group H it was 8.2 ± 19.7 years. Results : The diameter of PDA in group L was 2.3 ± 1.3 mm and 4.1 ± 1.2 mm in group H (p Conclusions : In catheterised patients with PDA living at high altitude, larger ductal diameter, anatomic type A and higher pulmonary artery pressure were more frequently observed. This finding has important implications for future strategy regarding transcatheter closure in populations living at different altitudes. Kardiol Pol 2011; 69, 5: 431–436