OBJECTIVE: To review the pulmonary complications and the available chest physical therapy interventions for neonates with patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). DATA SOURCES: Studies were retrieved from Medline and Lilacs and textbooks in Portuguese and in English, from 1992 to 2006. The following key-words were searched: "ductus arteriosus", "prematurity", "respiratory distress syndrome", "complications", "lung". DATA SYNTHESIS: PDA is frequently observed among preterm infants and can be associated with pulmonary complications, such as atelectasis, infections, extubation failure, increased mechanical ventilation dependency and longer length of hospital stay. Studies show that chest physical therapy may improve pulmonary function, increase lung compliance, reduce airway resistance, optimize bronchial toilet and, as a result, decrease the work of breathing. CONCLUSIONS: Chest physical therapy contributes to improve clinical outcome of neonates with pulmonary complications due to patent ductus arteriosus, allowing them to optimize respiratory mechanics, blood oxygenation and ventilation/perfusion ratio.
infant, premature; ductus arteriosus, patent; physical therapy modalities; lung
