What characteristic physical finding is associated with a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA)?

What characteristic physical finding is associated with a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA)?

• A. Wide pulse pressure with continuous machinery murmur
• B. Fixed split S2
• C. Mid-systolic click
• D. Opening snap and diastolic rumble

Answer: (A)

A patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is associated with a characteristic physical finding of a wide pulse pressure and a continuous machinery-like murmur. The ductus arteriosus is a vascular connection between the aorta and pulmonary artery that normally closes shortly after birth. When it remains patent, blood flow can be shunted from the aorta to the pulmonary artery, leading to volume overload in the pulmonary circulation. The wide pulse pressure is a result of the increased stroke volume and decreased systemic vascular resistance, which contributes to a disparity between systolic and diastolic pressures. This is often reflected in the murmur that is heard continuously throughout both systole and diastole, which has a unique "machinery" quality, indicative of the continuous flow through the ductus arteriosus. This combination of findings—wide pulse pressure and continuous murmur—is a classic sign you would expect when diagnosing a PDA. The other options present findings associated with different cardiac conditions. For example, a fixed split S2 is commonly seen in conditions such as atrial septal defect, while a mid-systolic click is associated with mitral valve prolapse, and an opening snap with diastolic rumble could indicate mitral stenosis. Thus

A patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is associated with a characteristic physical finding of a wide pulse pressure and a continuous machinery-like murmur. The ductus arteriosus is a vascular connection between the aorta and pulmonary artery that normally closes shortly after birth. When it remains patent, blood flow can be shunted from the aorta to the pulmonary artery, leading to volume overload in the pulmonary circulation.

The wide pulse pressure is a result of the increased stroke volume and decreased systemic vascular resistance, which contributes to a disparity between systolic and diastolic pressures. This is often reflected in the murmur that is heard continuously throughout both systole and diastole, which has a unique "machinery" quality, indicative of the continuous flow through the ductus arteriosus. This combination of findings—wide pulse pressure and continuous murmur—is a classic sign you would expect when diagnosing a PDA.

The other options present findings associated with different cardiac conditions. For example, a fixed split S2 is commonly seen in conditions such as atrial septal defect, while a mid-systolic click is associated with mitral valve prolapse, and an opening snap with diastolic rumble could indicate mitral stenosis. Thus