Medical treatment of the ductus arteriosus

Prostaglandin administered by aortic infusion prevents ductus closure when this is desirable--as in term infants with pulmonary atresia or critical pulmonic stenosis--raising arterial oxygen tension to levels compatible with life. On the other hand, in prematures with persistent patency of the ductus, administering indomethacin inhibits prostaglandin sysnthesis, inducing closure, and can obviate surgery.