A congenital defect where the fetal blood vessel between the pulmonary artery and aorta does not close is known as?

The condition described in the question is known as patent ductus arteriosus. This congenital defect occurs when the ductus arteriosus, a blood vessel that normally closes shortly after birth, remains open (patent). The ductus arteriosus is a structure that connects the pulmonary artery to the aorta during fetal development, allowing blood to bypass the non-functioning fetal lungs. If it fails to close after birth, blood may continue to flow from the aorta to the pulmonary artery, leading to increased blood flow to the lungs, potential heart enlargement, and other complications.

Understanding patent ductus arteriosus is crucial for recognizing its potential effects on cardiovascular health and the management strategies required to address it, as it may necessitate medical intervention if it does not close on its own within the first few weeks after birth.