Transposition of the great vessels (TGV) is a cyanotic congenital Congenital Chorioretinitis heart disease characterized by “switching” of the great arteries Arteries Arteries are tubular collections of cells that transport oxygenated blood and nutrients from the heart to the tissues of the body. The blood passes through the arteries in order of decreasing luminal diameter, starting in the largest artery (the aorta) and ending in the small arterioles. Arteries are classified into 3 types: large elastic arteries, medium muscular arteries, and small arteries and arterioles. Arteries: Histology. There are 2 presentations: the dextro (D)- and levo (L)-looped forms. The L-looped form is rare and congenitally corrected, as the ventricles are also switched. The D-looped form accounts for 3% of all cases of congenital Congenital Chorioretinitis heart disease. The condition occurs within the neonatal phase of life with cyanosis Cyanosis A bluish or purplish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes due to an increase in the amount of deoxygenated hemoglobin in the blood or a structural defect in the hemoglobin molecule. Pulmonary Examination that is unresponsive to oxygen therapy. Diagnosis is confirmed by echocardiogram and a chest X-ray X-ray Penetrating electromagnetic radiation emitted when the inner orbital electrons of an atom are excited and release radiant energy. X-ray wavelengths range from 1 pm to 10 nm. Hard x-rays are the higher energy, shorter wavelength x-rays. Soft x-rays or grenz rays are less energetic and longer in wavelength. The short wavelength end of the x-ray spectrum overlaps the gamma rays wavelength range. The distinction between gamma rays and x-rays is based on their radiation source. Pulmonary Function Tests showing the classic “egg on a string” pattern. Treatment is primarily surgical, and the prognosis Prognosis A prediction of the probable outcome of a disease based on a individual's condition and the usual course of the disease as seen in similar situations. Non-Hodgkin Lymphomas for surgically corrected cases is good.
Last updated: 24 Mar, 2022
Transposition of the great vessels (TGV) is the switching of the origins of the great vessels whereby the aorta Aorta The main trunk of the systemic arteries. Mediastinum and Great Vessels: Anatomy arises from the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery Pulmonary artery The short wide vessel arising from the conus arteriosus of the right ventricle and conveying unaerated blood to the lungs. Lungs: Anatomy arises from the left ventricle.
Transposition of the great vessels
Image: “Transposition of the great vessels” by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. License: CC0A normal heart versus the heart of a patient with TGV
The origin of the
aorta
Aorta
The main trunk of the systemic arteries.
Mediastinum and Great Vessels: Anatomy is from the right ventricle, which carries deoxygenated blood, while the
pulmonary artery
Pulmonary artery
The short wide vessel arising from the conus arteriosus of the right ventricle and conveying unaerated blood to the lungs.
Lungs: Anatomy originates from the left ventricle.
Complete TGV with VSD and
aortic arch
Aortic arch
Mediastinum and Great Vessels: Anatomy obstruction
A: External view of the heart showing the right anterior position of the
aorta
Aorta
The main trunk of the systemic arteries.
Mediastinum and Great Vessels: Anatomy and the severe
hypoplasia
Hypoplasia
Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS) of the
aortic arch
Aortic arch
Mediastinum and Great Vessels: Anatomy between carotid and subclavian artery (arrow)
B: The
pulmonary artery
Pulmonary artery
The short wide vessel arising from the conus arteriosus of the right ventricle and conveying unaerated blood to the lungs.
Lungs: Anatomy originates from the left ventricle. Note the malalignment of the VSD with the infundibular septum deviated to the right.
Egg-on-a-string sign
These graphic figures recreate the chest X-ray images of an infant with transposition of the great vessels, known as the “egg-on-a-string sign.” The egg on its side represents a globular-shaped heart which owes its appearance to the prominent convexity of the right atrial border and left atrial enlargement. The string represents an exaggeration of the attenuation of the
superior mediastinum
Superior mediastinum
Mediastinum and Great Vessels: Anatomy which is narrowed due to stress-induced thymic
atrophy
Atrophy
Decrease in the size of a cell, tissue, organ, or multiple organs, associated with a variety of pathological conditions such as abnormal cellular changes, ischemia, malnutrition, or hormonal changes.
Cellular Adaptation (and consequent loss of the normally prominent thymic shadow).
Echocardiogram showing transposition of the great
arteries
Arteries
Arteries are tubular collections of cells that transport oxygenated blood and nutrients from the heart to the tissues of the body. The blood passes through the arteries in order of decreasing luminal diameter, starting in the largest artery (the aorta) and ending in the small arterioles. Arteries are classified into 3 types: large elastic arteries, medium muscular arteries, and small arteries and arterioles.
Arteries: Histology
This subcostal view shows discordant ventricular arterial connections together with the presence of parallel, rather than crossing, great
arteries
Arteries
Arteries are tubular collections of cells that transport oxygenated blood and nutrients from the heart to the tissues of the body. The blood passes through the arteries in order of decreasing luminal diameter, starting in the largest artery (the aorta) and ending in the small arterioles. Arteries are classified into 3 types: large elastic arteries, medium muscular arteries, and small arteries and arterioles.
Arteries: Histology arising from the ventricles.
LV: left ventricle
RV: right ventricle
PT:
pulmonary trunk
Pulmonary Trunk
Truncus Arteriosus
AO:
aorta
Aorta
The main trunk of the systemic arteries.
Mediastinum and Great Vessels: Anatomy
Medical:
Surgery: