Patent Ductus Arteriosus in Old Age

An unusual case of patient ductus arteriosus (PDA) in a 78-year-old man is presented. The patient was known to have PDA since the age of 30, but it had remained well compensated until shortly before death. He had undergone some difficult operations successfully, and had no specific pulmonary complaints. Death at age 78 was caused by arteriosclerotic heart disease following myocardial infarction. Autopsy revealed a smooth patent ductus arteriosus with no perforation. The survival of a PDA patient to such advanced age is a comparatively rare occurrence.