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~Transposition of the Great Vessles~
Normally the pulomanary artery carries venous (bluish) blood from the right ventrical to the lungs to get oxygen,
then the aorta carries the oxygen-rich blood (red) from the left ventrical to the body.
In Transposition of the Great Vessels (or arteries),the vessels are reversed.
The aorta is connected to the right ventrical so that venous (blue) blood is carried to the body.
The pulmonary artery is attached to the left ventrical
so that oxygen-rich blood is carried back to the lungs.
Infants born with Transposition survive only if they have one or more connections that let oxygen rich blood reach the body.
These connections may be in the form of a hole between the two atria (atria septal defect),
the two ventricals (ventrical septal defect),or vessel connecting the pulomanary aretery with the aorta (patent ductus arterious)
Most babies with Transposition are extremely blue after birth because the connections are not adequate.
To improve the bodys oxygen supply a special procedure alled balloon artrial septostmy is used during heart catherizations.
It enlarges the atrial opening and helps the baby by reducing the cyanosis.
Two general types of surgery may be used to help correct the transposition.
One common surgical procedure creates a tunnel inside the atria.
It redirects oxygen rich blood to the right ventrical and aorta,and redirects venous blood to the left ventrical
and pulomanary artery.This operation is called a venous switch or
intra-atrial baffel procedure.
It has other names to,including the mustard procedure or the senning procedure.
Its usually done in infancy.
Many factors,including the degree of cyanosis,determine how early in life a child may need surgery.
In another surgerical procedure,the major arteries are switched.
The aorta is connected to the left ventrical,which pumps oxygen-rich blood to the body.
The pulomanry artery is connected to the right ventrical,which pumps venous blood to the lungs.
The atrial switch procedure may be done in the first few weeks after birth,
or,depending on various factors,slightly later.
If theres a large ventrical septal defect or other defects related to the Transposition,
the repair gets more complicated.
Then other surgical procedures may be needed.
After surgery the long term outlook varies quite a bit.
It depends largely on how severe the defects were before surgery.
Life long follow up is needed to be sure that any remaining defects or problems are treated properly.
Children with Tranposition are at risk for getting an infection of the hearts walls or valves before and after surgery.
To help prevent endocarditis,they should be given antibiotics such as amoxicillin before dental work and certain surgeries.
~Update~
I Feel it is Important to say that there are
different types of Transposition
Please click Here if you would like to read more.
Click Hereto learn more about Jacobs Heart & Lung Failure,
and to read early signs and symptoms of Heart Failure.
~Please Click the Sites Below To learn More of this Heart Disease~
Heart Point
Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine
MedNets
PCC
I Highly recommend St.Louis Childrens Hospital if you have a child with Heart Disease.
Their Medical Staff is just amazing.
In addition to Heart disease they specialize in Many other things.
They have been rated 6th on the Best 10 List,and they have been rated 4th for their NICU Unit.
~St.Louis Childrens Hospital~
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