Ductus venosus

The ductus venosus (also ductus venosus or ductus Arantii Arantii ) is a fetal short-circuit connection between the left hepatic portal vein and the inferior vena cava ( inferior vena cava in humans, in animals as " posterior vena cava ", caudal vena cava, called ). Before birth, about 50 % of umbilical venous blood bypassing the liver circulation are absorbed directly into the vena cava. The blood undergoes through the constriction of the ductus venosus acceleration, so that in comparison to the blood faster oxygen-richer blood hits the septum secundum of the hepatic veins and supplies the systemic circulation, bypassing the pulmonary circulation of this oval through the foramen in the first place.

The ductus venosus closes itself in many mammals before birth. In humans and in dogs, cats and ruminants but he is still open to the birth and normally closes in the first days of life. After sealing the ligamentum ulcers remains as verödeter rest.

Patent ductus venosus

If not this closure, it is called a patent ductus venosus. The portal vein then continues to flow bypassing the liver circulation directly into the vena cava ( portosystemic shunt or portocaval ). This allows the intestine absorbed pollutants directly into the systemic circulation and are no longer directly detoxified by the liver, which may in the long run lead to central nervous system disturbances ( Hepatoenzephalopathie ). Life expectancy may be severely limited. A surgical ( ligation of the Shuntgefäßes ) or radiological interventional treatment ( embolization of Shuntgefäßes ) can lead to the improvement of hepatic blood flow and thus to prevent further complications shuntbedingter.