Transposition of the Great Vessels

Transposition of the great vessels: inversion of the cardiac arteries

Transposition of the great vessels, also known as transposition of the truncus arteriosus, is a rare congenital heart condition that is characterized by inversion of the main arteries originating from the heart. Instead of exiting from the right and left ventricles, the arteries cross, resulting in poor circulation and decreased heart function.

In normal anatomy, the aorta, the largest artery, emerges from the left ventricle and carries oxygen-rich blood to the organs and tissues of the body. Running parallel to the aorta is another important artery, the pulmonary artery, which drains blood from the right ventricle to the lungs for oxygenation.

However, with transposition of the great vessels, these arteries change their places. The aorta becomes attached to the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery to the left ventricle. This leads to the separation of the systemic and pulmonary circulation, which must be integrated for the normal functioning of the heart and the body as a whole.

There are several options for transposition of the great vessels, including L-transposition and D-transposition, depending on the orientation of the arteries. In most cases, it is a congenital defect that occurs during the development of the embryo. The exact causes are unknown, but it is believed that genetic and environmental factors may play a role in its occurrence.

Transposition of the great vessels is a serious condition requiring medical intervention. Diagnosis is usually made in early childhood, when symptoms such as bluish skin, difficulty breathing and poor nutrition are observed. Without treatment, this pathology can lead to heart failure and other heart problems.

Treatment for transposition of the great vessels usually involves surgical correction. The main goal of the operation is to rebuild the arteries so that they occupy the correct position. This may require rerouting the arteries or creating arterial anastomoses. In some cases, several stages of surgery may be required.

After surgery, children with transposition of the great vessels require careful monitoring and long-term treatment by cardiologists. Regular doctor visits, medication therapy, and physical rehabilitation may be necessary to ensure optimal heart health and function.

In conclusion, transposition of the great vessels is a serious congenital heart defect that requires medical intervention. Thanks to modern surgical techniques and long-term follow-up by cardiologists, most children with this condition have good prospects for a full life. However, it is important to detect and diagnose transposition of the great vessels early to ensure timely treatment and improve the patient's prognosis.

Sources:

1. Transposition of the Great Arteries. Texas Heart Institute. http://www.texasheart.org/heart-health/heart-information-center/topics/transposition-of-the-great-arteries/ ↗
2. Transposition of the Great Arteries. American Heart Association. https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/congenital-heart-defects/about-congenital-heart-defects/transposition-of-the-great-arteries-tga ↗
3. Transposition of the Great Arteries. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/transposition-of-the-great-arteries/symptoms-causes/syc-20351814 ↗

Transposition of the great vessels is a surgical intervention that is performed in the event of an abnormal development of the child’s cardiovascular system. These children have arterial canals that are located incorrectly relative to the heart chamber. This can be life-threatening for the baby as it can lead to heart failure.

Transposition of the great vessels procedure