PDV in medical terms stands for Patent ductus venosus.
Understanding Patent Ductus Venosus
The Patent ductus venosus (PDV) is an extremely rare congenital condition. It is a type of portosystemic shunt where blood from the portal vein is diverted into the systemic circulation instead of going through the liver (1). In simpler terms, it's an abnormal connection that allows blood to bypass the liver.
Here's a breakdown:
- Congenital: This means the condition is present at birth.
- Portosystemic Shunt: This refers to an abnormal connection between the portal venous system (which carries blood from the intestines to the liver) and the systemic venous system (which carries blood back to the heart).
- Diversion of Portal Blood: Normally, blood from the digestive system goes to the liver for processing. In PDV, this blood bypasses the liver.
