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A 22-year-old university student presented to our hospital with a 7-year history of recurrent palpitation and easy fatigability, with occasional dry cough and no history of fever or weight loss. Examination revealed the presence of machinery murmur, and echocardiography revealed isolated patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). She had left thoracotomy and double ligation of the uncalcified PDA. Chest drain was inserted and she did well postoperatively, and she was discharged home on the 5th postoperative day. Postoperative echocardiography revealed no residual PDA.

Background: Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is quite a common acyanotic congenital heart disease (CHD). Its ligation in Sub-Saharan Africa is challenging due to lack of adequate cardiothoracic surgeons. We, therefore, present our experience and our challenges in our center with limited resources. Objectives: To determine the challenges and outcome of surgical ligation of PDA in our center. Methods: This was a retrospective review of all PDA ligations done from January 2012 to December 2017. Data were extracted from the operation theater register and patients files. Information such as age, sex, symptoms at presentation, intraoperative findings, and outcome of surgery were analyzed. Discordances between echocardiography and intraoperative finding of PDA were noticed in only two cases, and these were excluded from the study because PDA was not seen intraoperatively and they were referred for further evaluation. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 16 was used for data entry and analysis. Results: Twenty-five patients had PDA ligation during the study period; the subjects comprised 17 females and 8 males with a male-to-female ratio of 1:2. Two adult cases were recorded. Three cases had other associated CHD. All surgeries were carried out successfully and only a single case of complication was reported (4%, chylothorax). Conclusion: PDA ligation is relatively safe if properly done with successful outcome.

A 22-year-old university student presented to our hospital with a 7-year history of recurrent palpitation and easy fatigability, with occasional dry cough and no history of fever or weight loss. Examination revealed the presence of machinery murmur, and echocardiography revealed isolated patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). She had left thoracotomy and double ligation of the uncalcified PDA. Chest drain was inserted and she did well postoperatively, and she was discharged home on the 5th postoperative day. Postoperative echocardiography revealed no residual PDA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]