Poorly known incidence: it might be present in 8-9 % of term infants as a physiological variant of the process of closure of the ductus arteriosus in the neonatal period. This malformation can also be observed after the surgical closure or infection of the ductus arteriosus. Imaging reveals an ovoid mass closed at its pulmonary extremity but still communicating with the descending aorta via a thin lumen. Usual evolution (98 % of cases) is thrombosis of the aneurysm in a few weeks.

This malformation is generally asymptomatic, but can present with spontaneous rupture, infection, embolic complications,  compression of adjacent structures. The risk of complications increases after 2 months of age.

Surgical treatment is recommended in case of:

-        persistence of the malformation beyond 2-3 months of age

-        associated collagen disease (Marfan, Ehlers-Danlos: see these terms)

-        extension of the intraaneurysmal thrombus to adjacent vessels

-        embolic complications

-        functional impact of the compression of adjacent structures

Anesthetic implications: 

usually none, except in case of embolic or functional complications

Références : 

-        Xu E, Delpey J-G, Finel E, Pennanéach A.
Ductus arteriosus aneurysm: case report and review of literature.
Arch Pédiatr 2018; 25: 283-5

Updated: July 2018