Patent ductis arteriosus and chest pain

[Maison's Mom]

My 6 year old daughter has a Patent ductis arteriosus.  Recently she has had 3 episodes of chest pain in the middle slightly to the right.  She has expressed that she has also had these pains in school but not told teachers.  To the best of my knowledge, it is not after any extreme exercise but is also not at complete rest.  Is chest pain a symptom of PDA?  She does have decreased stamina but not extreme.  She is still able to play and keep up with her friends and siblings.  She has an appointment on March 25 at Childrens in Omaha but I am curious...should I push it up?  Should I be worried?  I am not looking for a concete answer so much as the questions to ask and possible reasons for this.  

Thank you for your time
Christian...aka Maison's Mom

[CCF-M.D.-MJM]

Hi Christian (Christina?),

Pain is not typical of PDAs.  It is probably worth call your cardiologit to let them know about the pain.  As an adult cardiologist, we don't see too many PDAs.  I do not know if a reason to worry for chest pain and a PDA and a quick literature search didn't turn up any concerns, but I would talk your cardiologist to make sure.  Sorry I can't be more helpful, this is not a problem that I am that familiar with.

Good luck

[SRELM]

Hello.  I just wanted to offer support.  I'm now 34, but had open-heart PDA surgery at 6 weeks old.  My youngest daughter was born with a very small PDA that closed by the time she was two.  I'm curious if/when a pediatric cardiologist is going to close your child's PDA?

[Maison's Mom]

They "found" her PDA at 3 years of age.  Previously, I was always told it was a murmur that would go away when she got older.  Her father had a murmur when he was younger.  We took her to Children's in Omaha and they said it was very small and they would evaluate it in 2 years.  The doctor said in some rare cases it actually closes itself when they are so small. Well, at her last physical the "murmur" was much more pronounced.  So, hopefully, they will close it this summer.  I am curious...why did they do open heart on your child.  All the research I have done reveals a catheter to be more common.

[SRELM]

Hello.  I was the one who had open-heart surgery, that was way back in 1970.  My daughter's PDA did close on its own, thankfully.  I know that at our daughter's first appointment (she was seen at the University of Florida, Pediatric Cardiology) we were told they wanted to wait and see as well, and thankfully at her next echo it was closed.

[Maison's Mom]

I was able to speak with my daughter's cardiologist Friday and they assured me that pain is not a typical symptom of PDA.  After lengthy discussion, we determined it is probably spasms in her chest wall.  Upon relaxation they subside.  She has also had a pretty big growth spurt so maybe growing pains.  ANyway, we still have an appointment and hopefully we can put this PDA to rest.  

Thank you for this wonderful site!!

[SRELM]

Please post and let us know how things go :)