In this thesis we have studied various aspects of physiological DA closure and PDA in animal models and humans. We were intrigued by the fact that the DA reacts completely different to the... Show moreIn this thesis we have studied various aspects of physiological DA closure and PDA in animal models and humans. We were intrigued by the fact that the DA reacts completely different to the postnatal change in environmental conditions than the adjacent vessels. Therefore we aimed to identify genes and molecular mechanisms, which give the DA a specific genetic signature and might explain some of its characteristic morphological features. As all current therapeutic approaches to the DA have major side effects we hope that knowledge of genes that maintain fetal ductal patency and promote closure of the DA will help to develop new therapeutic strategies. These strategies might be tailored to individual genomes in order to improve the present approach targeting the prostaglandin pathway, using implantable intravascular devices or surgery. Furthermore we studied PDA-patients and their extended families with the aim to identify patients in whom the PDA is a heritable structural anomaly either of the DA or a more general vasculopathy Show less
