Reading Time:
Pathology
There are two separate circulation:
The aorta is connected to right ventricle receiving deoxygenated blood
The pulmonary artery is connected to the left ventricle receiving oxygenated
blood from the lungs
These children are cyanosed and this defect is incompatible with life unless
there are separate defects to allow mixing of blood (ASD, VSD or PDA)
Aetiology
Unknown
Signs
Cyanosis at birth or presents with duct closure
Symptoms
Cyanosis .
Investigations
Antenatal ultrasound: Antenatal diagnosis may be made
ECG: Often normal
Chest X-Ray: Classical ‘egg on its side’ appearance of the heart shadow
Echo: To assess for structural abnormality and confirm diagnosis
Treatment
Medical: Resuscitation and prostaglandins keep the ductus arteriosus patent
Surgical: Balloon atrial septostomy is required to allow mixing of the blood.
Definitive treatment is arterial switch operation, which is carried out
in the first 2 weeks of life
Prognosis
Condition is fatal unless treated.
Arrhythmias, heart failure and infective endocarditis
Key Facts
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, sapien platea morbi dolor lacus nunc, nunc ullamcorper. Felis aliquet egestas vitae, nibh ante quis quis dolor sed mauris.
Key Images
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, sapien platea morbi dolor lacus nunc, nunc ullamcorper. Felis aliquet egestas vitae, nibh ante quis quis dolor sed mauris.
Key References
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, sapien platea morbi dolor lacus nunc, nunc ullamcorper. Felis aliquet egestas vitae, nibh ante quis quis dolor sed mauris.