SYMPTOMS

Transposition of the great arteries symptoms include:

• The blue color of the skin (cyanosis)
• Shortness of breath
• Lack of appetite
• Poor weight gain

CAUSES

Transposition of the great arteries occurs during fetal growth when your child's heart is developing. The exact cause is generally unknown. Typically, the pulmonary artery, which carries blood from your heart to your lungs for oxygenation, is joined to the lower right chamber (right ventricle). From your lungs, the oxygen-rich blood goes to your heart's upper left chamber (left atrium), through the mitral valve into the lower left chamber (left ventricle). The aorta is usually connected to the left ventricle, carrying oxygen-rich blood from your heart back to the remainder of your body. In transposition of the great arteries, the positions of the pulmonary artery and the aorta are exchanged. The pulmonary artery route is associated with the left ventricle, and the aorta is associated with the right ventricle. This results in oxygen-poor blood flowing through the right half of the heart and back to the body without going through the lungs, while oxygen-rich blood circulates through the left half of the heart and directly back into the lungs without being distributed to the remainder of the body. This circulation of oxygen-depleted blood through the body causes the skin to have a blue color (cyanosis), hence transposition of the great arteries is known as a cyanotic congenital heart defect. Although certain factors like genetics, rubella or other viral infections during pregnancy, maternal age over 40, or maternal diabetes may increase the risk of this condition, generally, the cause remains unknown.

WHEN TO SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION

Transposition of the great arteries is usually detected before birth, shortly after birth, or within the first hours to weeks of life. Always seek emergency medical assistance if you notice anyone developing a blue coloration of the skin.

SPECIALISTS FOR CONSULTATION

You need to consult with a Cardiovascular Surgeon.

DIAGNOSTIC AND TESTS

The doctor suggests any of these tests to examine the patient's health, including:

• Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)
• Blood tests
• Chest X-ray
• Echocardiogram
• Cardiac catheterization

TREATMENT PROCEDURE

A procedure called a "balloon atrial septostomy" is often performed once the diagnosis is confirmed. Before birth, all babies have a connection between the right atrium and the left atrium (called a foramen ovale). After birth, this normal connection may allow some mixing of blood to occur, but may not provide enough mixing. The foramen ovale may be enlarged or stretched with a balloon, which will markedly improve mixing. This balloon atrial septostomy procedure is performed by passing a special balloon-tipped catheter into the heart from either a vessel in the umbilicus or a vessel in the groin. Often, the procedure is performed at the bedside, with guidance from an echocardiogram. Occasionally, the procedure will be performed in the catheterization laboratory. A large atrial septal defect is thus created and typically allows excellent mixing of oxygen-rich and oxygen-poor blood so that the body's oxygen saturation will remain in a safe range, often in the 80 percent range. Following this procedure, the ductus arteriosus is no longer necessary and prostaglandin infusion can therefore be discontinued. Although babies can be stabilized temporarily, surgical correction of the defect is always necessary. In most cases, corrective surgery is typically performed in the first week of life, once an infant has recovered from any instability that occurred during the initial presentation. In more complex cases, such as those with narrowing below the pulmonary valve (pulmonary stenosis), surgical timing is variable. In most cases of transposition, an arterial switch operation is performed. The arterial switch operation involves cutting off the aorta and pulmonary arteries just above the point where they leave the heart and reconnecting them to the proper ventricle. The valve stays attached to the ventricle, so what was once the pulmonary valve is now the aortic valve and vice versa. Since the coronary arteries must stay with the aorta, they must be taken off the area above the valve and reimplanted separately above the new aortic valve. This is often the most technically challenging part of the operation, particularly if there is unusual branching of these arteries. Closure of ventricular septal defects (if present) and atrial septal defects is also performed as part of the operation. Occasionally, in more complex cases of transposition such as in those narrowing below the pulmonary valve, the arterial switch operation is not recommended. These cases often involve complex decision-making on a case-by-case basis to determine the best options and operative plan.

DECISION TREE

After the remedial medical procedure, your child will require long-lasting subsequent consideration with a heart specialist (cardiologist) who spends significant time in congenital heart disease to monitor their heart wellbeing. The cardiologist might suggest that your youngster stay away from specific exercises, like weightlifting or competitive sports because they raise blood pressure and may stress the heart. You have to consult with your kid's doctor regarding what kind of proactive tasks you or your kid can do, and how much and how regularly. Many individuals who go through the arterial switch operation needn't bother with an extra medical procedure. Nonetheless, a few difficulties, like arrhythmias, heart valve breaks, or issues with the heart pumping may require extra treatment.

RISK FACTORS

However the specific reason for the rendering of the extraordinary arteries is obscure, a few elements might expand the danger of a child being brought into the world with this condition, including:

• Lack of oxygen to tissues
• Heart failure
• Lung damage

Prevention

Most of the time, the rendering of the extraordinary arteries can't be forestalled. In the event that you have a family background of heart defects or then again on the off chance that you as of now have a kid with an inborn heart deformity, consider chatting with a hereditary guide and a cardiologist experienced in innate heart absconds prior to getting pregnant. Also, find ways to have a healthy pregnancy. For instance, prior to becoming pregnant, be certain you're exceptional on your inoculations in general and begin taking a multivitamin suggested by the doctors according to the patient's condition.

POST-TREATMENT CARE

You or your kid should get a regular checkup through your doctor. Your kid will be checked and have normal subsequent meetings with a pediatric cardiologist. As your kid develops more seasoned, their consideration will