The ductus arteriosus (DA) is a vascular channel between the aorta and the pulmonary artery (PA). It diverts blood away from the lungs and directs it to systemic circulation during pregnancy.1 Therefore, its opening is necessary for the life of the fetus, but after birthing its closure is necessary. During pregnancy, the DA and the placenta produce vasodilators that keep the DA open, but, in term infants, as they are born, the number of contractile factors increases, the sensitivity of DA to prostaglandins decreases, and sensitivity to oxygen increases which causes ductal constriction. In contrast, in premature infants, DA sensitivity to vasodilators increases, although this sensitivity decreases with increasing neonatal age. Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is a major life-threatening problem in premature and low birth weight infants. In 60% to 70% of preterm and low birth weight infants, the DA remains open.
The choice of treatment depends on factors like PDA size, patient age, health status, and symptomatology. The types of treatment for Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) include medical treatment involving medications to encourage closure, catheter-based intervention using minimally invasive procedures to block the ductus arteriosus, and surgical closure through a small chest incision.
Regarding the medical treatment, non-specific cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitors (indomethacin, ibuprofen). These drugs work by inhibiting cyclooxygenase and stopping the synthesis of prostaglandins E2, F2a, I2, and thromboxane A2. This is followed by vascular smooth muscle constriction, local ischemia, angiogenesis, DA intima regeneration, wall fibrosis, and DA closure. Ibuprofen and indomethacin are standard treatments for PDA closure, but due to possible side effects in the gastrointestinal tract, kidney, chronic lung disease, thrombocytopenia, and hyperbilirubinemia, it is preferable to use acetaminophen/paracetamol with fewer side effects.
In addition, PDA closure may be associated with complications such as chronic lung disease, heart disease, neurodevelopmental disorder, and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).1 Therefore, it is desirable to prescribe drugs with no contraindications and fewer side effects to close PDA. The effect of acetaminophen/paracetamol on PDA closure was first reported in 2011,6 and extensive studies on its effects have been performed since then.6,7,8 Due to its properties such as safety, availability, low price, lack of side effects related to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and the fact that this drug has been used as an anti-inflammatory and analgesic treatment in infants for many years, acetaminophen will gradually replace NSAIDs for PDA medical closure.
Surgery for PDA closure is performed when treatment with COX inhibitors is contraindicated or unsuccessful.
Rectal administration of paracetamol involves inserting a suppository into the rectum for absorption into the bloodstream, offering the advantages of being less invasive and suitable for limited vascular access, while potentially causing slower and variable absorption; intravenous (IV) paracetamol, delivered directly into the bloodstream through a vein, ensures accurate dosing, rapid absorption, and consistent drug delivery, but requires established intravenous access and vigilant monitoring for potential adverse effects, with both methods having potential systemic side effects and varying efficacy in promoting PDA closure.
