User:Mr. Ibrahem/Transposition of the great arteries

Transposition of the great arteries (TGA) is a heart related birth defect where the position of the aorta and pulmonary artery are switched. There are two main types dextro-TGA (d-TGA) and levo-TGA (l-TGA). D-TGA generally presents with bluish skin, fast breathing, poor feeding, and a heart murmur in the first month of life. L-TGA often does not result in symptoms until later in life, when heart failure may develop.

The cause is generally unknown. Risk factors may include an older mother, genetics, maternal diabetes, alcohol, smoking, and exposure to rubella during pregnancy. It is often associated with other heart defects such as ventricular septal defect, atrial septal defect, or pulmonary stenosis. Diagnosis may occur before or after birth via ultrasound.

Treatment of d-TGA is generally with surgery during the first month of life. To stabilize the baby until surgery, oxygen, prostaglandin E1, or balloon atrial septostomy may be carried out. Some may required a heart transplant later in life. Outcomes with d-TGA are relative good with surgery, with survival rates of greater than 90%.

TGA occurs in about 1 in 3,400 newborns. It is the second most common birth defect of the heart that results in cyanosis after Tetrology of Fallot. Dextra-TGA is more common than levo-TGA. TGA was first described in 1797 by Matthew Baillie.