Pediatric Truncus Arteriosus and Transposition of the Great Arteries (TGA) — Causes and Survival Rate

Truncus arteriosus is characterized by the presence of a common arterial trunk arising from both ventricles while transposition of the great arteries is a cyanotic congenital heart defect that is characterized by a pulmonary artery arising from the left ventricle and an aorta arising from the right ventricle. Patients with these two conditions are usually cyanotic and are usually diagnosed within the first few days of life. Echocardiography is the diagnostic modality of choice for the confirmation of the diagnosis in both conditions. Primary surgical repair of truncus arteriosus consists of committing the common arterial trunk to the left ventricle, while transposition of the great arteries is repaired by an arterial switch procedure. Both conditions should be repaired as early as possible, preferably within the neonatal period.