What is an arterial switch procedure?

An arterial switch operation is done to correct transposition of the great arteries (TGA) with or without ventricular septal defect (VSD) (see TGA). This procedure is typically done within the first week of life. A median sternotomy (incision through the middle of the chest) is done.

What is artery transposition?

Transposition of the great arteries is a serious but rare heart defect present at birth (congenital), in which the two main arteries leaving the heart are reversed (transposed). The condition is also called dextro-transposition of the great arteries.

How successful is TGA surgery?

If there are no unusual risk factors, more than 98 percent of surgically-treated infants survive their infancy. Most children who’ve had TGA surgery recover and grow normally, although they can be at some risk in the future for arrhythmias, leaky valves and other heart issues.

What happens if the aorta and pulmonary artery are switched?

Dextro-Transposition of the Great Arteries or d-TGA is a birth defect of the heart in which the two main arteries carrying blood out of the heart – the main pulmonary artery and the aorta – are switched in position, or “transposed.” Because a baby with this defect may need surgery or other procedures soon after birth.

How long can you live with transposition of the great arteries?

The simple transposition of the great arteries is a lethal congenital heart disease. The life expectancy of unoperated patients is about 9 months.

How long does TGA surgery take?

The surgery to repair TGA is known as an arterial switch operation. A pediatric heart surgeon performs the surgery. The surgery lasts about 4 to 6 hours. It takes place in an operating room in a hospital.

Can TGA cause heart failure?

The complications of l-TGA include congestive heart failure, tricuspid regurgitation, and arrhythmias. Figure 1. In levo-transposition of the great arteries, venous blood returns from the body into the right atrium, to a morphologic left ventricle, and into the pulmonary artery that bifurcates en route to the lungs.

Is transposition of the great vessels fatal?

Transposition of the great arteries or TGA is a potentially fatal congenital heart malformation where the pulmonary artery and the aorta are switched. The switch means that the aorta, which normally carries oxygenated blood, carries deoxygenated blood.

Can transposition of the great arteries cause brain damage?

Brain injury, impaired brain growth, and long-term neurodevelopmental problems are common in children with transposition of the great arteries.

How long can you live after TGA surgery?

Survival and re-operation-free rates after arterial switch operation. The survival rate was 96% at 20 years, and the re-operation-free rate was 96%, 90%, 87%, and 83%, respectively, at 5, 10, 15, and 20 years post-operative.

What is arterial switch operation?

Arterial switch operation ( ASO) or arterial switch, is an open heart surgical procedure used to correct dextro-transposition of the great arteries ( d-TGA ); its development was pioneered by Canadian cardiac surgeon William Mustard and it was named for Brazilian cardiac surgeon Adib Jatene, who was the first to use it successfully.

What is transposition of the great arteries?

Transposition of the great arteries (TGA) is a complex congenital heart defect. In a normal heart, there are two large arteries that carry blood out of the heart. In children with TGA, these arteries are connected to the heart abnormally: The aorta is attached to the right-sided pumping chamber…

What are the risks for children with transposition of the great arteries?

Children who have transposition of the great arteries are at increased risk for endocarditis. Some children will need to take antibiotics before certain dental procedures. See the section on Endocarditis for more information. Congenital Heart Defect ID sheet More information for adults with d-transposition What causes it?

What does the pulmonary artery do in transposition?

It carries oxygen-rich blood out of your heart back to the rest of your body. In transposition of the great arteries, the positions of the pulmonary artery and the aorta are switched. The pulmonary artery is connected to the left ventricle, and the aorta is connected to the right ventricle.