​Pathology - Transposition of the Great Arteries

​Pathology - Transposition of the Great Arteries
The etiology of this condition is still unknown. However, it is believed to be linked to the aberrant development of the subpulmonary infundibulum during fetal development. This leads to the misalignment of the aorta with the right ventricle.


Pathology: The aorta originates from the anatomically correct right ventricle, while the pulmonary artery originates from the anatomically correct left ventricle.
Pathophysiology refers to the study of the functional changes that occur in the body as a result of a disease or injury. Oxygenated blood flows from the lung to the left heart, but is subsequently expelled back to the lung through the anomalous pulmonary arterial link to the left ventricle. Deoxygenated blood is sent from the right heart to the systemic circulation by an improper link to the aorta, bypassing the lungs. This syndrome is rapidly lethal unless there is an additional anatomical abnormality (such as ASD, VSD, PDA) that permits the mixing of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood.
Transposition of the great arteries (TGA) might be accompanied by coronary abnormalities.

Symptoms and signs 
Atrial septal defect (ASD) and ventricular septal defect (VSD). PDA, also known as left ventricular outflow tract obstruction
Manifests in early childhood with bluish discoloration of the skin and cardiac insufficiency

Treatment of heart failure involves surgical repair.