Does this make sense?

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Abacus1050

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According to a Qbank answer re: patent ductus arteriosus -

" during prenatal life, the pressure gradient causes bloodflow from the left pulmonary artery to the aorta. However, after birth the gradient reverses"

I was under the impression that because of the foramen ovale, the aortic pressure would still be higher even prenatally. What do you think?
 
"Fetal pulmonary arteries are hypertrophied from chronic vasoconstriction secondary to a low fetal PO2" I would imagine this vasoconstriction is the main mechanism which maintains the right to left shunting through the PDA.
 
Hernandez said:
"Fetal pulmonary arteries are hypertrophied from chronic vasoconstriction secondary to a low fetal PO2" I would imagine this vasoconstriction is the main mechanism which maintains the right to left shunting through the PDA.

Thanks for that response Hernandez
 
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