Patent ductus arteriosus in the elderly.
Patent ductus arteriosus presenting in an elderly patient is unusual. This report describes the oldest patient (72 years) to undergo successful surgical interruption of a patent ductus arteriosus with a unique clinical presentation of typical angina pectoris with normal coronary anatomy. A possible pathophysiologic mechanism for this previously unreported presenting symptom is proposed. The natural history of patent ductus arteriosus and the role of surgery in the elderly patient are discussed.
Zarich
S
S
Department of Medicine, New England Deaconess Hospital, Boston.
Leonardi
H
H
Pippin
J
J
Tuthill
J
J
Lewis
S
S
D000368:Aged; D000787:Angina Pectoris / Q000209:etiology; D004374:Ductus Arteriosus, Patent / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans