Transposition of the Great Arteries

Transposition of the great arteries means that the aorta arises from the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery arises from the left. This means that there are two parallel circulations, with the right ventricle pumping blood round the body while the left ventricle pumps blood around the lungs. If there is no mixing of blood between the two circulations the condition is not compatible with life. Usually there are associated anomalies such as a septal defect or a patent ductus arteriosus, which allows some mixing. There may be profound cyanosis during the first days of life, and surgery may be required as an emergency procedure in order to switch the circulations - which is why the procedure is called a switch.
 
 
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