Spontaneous Closure of the Ductus Arteriosus in a Young Adult

ALTHOUGH functional closure of the ductus arteriosus is usually complete within the first two months of life1 , 2 occasional isolated cases of delayed closure at various ages have been reported. Some of the earlier cases probably do not represent spontaneous closure but may be attributed to thrombosis or embolization3 , 4 or to elimination of the flow gradient across the ductus by pulmonary hypertension5 , 6 or cardiac decompensation.7 Other reports that are acceptable as delayed ductal closure are based only on the disappearance of the characteristic Gibson8 murmur and the absence of complicating factors. None of these cases have been documented by physiologic studies . . .