Evolution of Surgical Repair of Patent Ductus Arteriosus - A Historical Timeline

Congenital cardiac surgery is one of the most challenging and fascinating branches of modern medicine which continues to advance in areas and improving outcomes, post-operative and pre-operative care. Patent Ductus Arteriosus was the first congenital heart lesion to be successfully corrected surgically. The landmark surgery was performed by Dr. Robert E. Gross in 1938 and opened up the possibility of subsequent surgical correction of various other lesions, which were considered to be untreatable previously. The first successful surgical closure of persistent ductus arteriosus (PDA) was preceded by years of work and contributed by various surgeons, physicians, and anatomists, dating all the way back to the 1(st) century. They are all worthy of recognition and praise. This article covers the important events related to PDA lesions including its first identification, followed by its description in various texts and sources over the course of time, failed attempts at surgical correction, and disputes regarding credits. These contributions to the branch cannot be overstated and serves as an inspiration to cardiac surgeons all over the world and to students, interns, and newly graduated doctors as well, who would one day like to be part of this fascinating branch.