What is transposition of great arteries?

Transposition of the great arteries is a type of heart problem a baby is born with. The two main arteries—the aorta and the pulmonary artery—are reversed (transposed). The aorta is sending oxygen-rich blood to the lungs instead of out to the body. The pulmonary artery is sending low-oxygen blood out to the body instead of to the lungs.

The baby's body is still getting some oxygen-rich blood because of a small blood vessel that connects the left and right sides of the heart. This blood vessel, called the ductus arteriosus, is part of the circulation system before birth. It usually closes on its own after the baby is born.

Some babies have few symptoms at first. But because the body isn't getting enough oxygen, symptoms may later include fast breathing and a blue tint to the skin, lips, or fingernails.

Your doctor may hear abnormal heart sounds, such as a heart murmur, when they examine your newborn.

Your doctor will order tests to find the cause of abnormal sounds or of symptoms. The most common test used to identify this problem is called an echocardiogram, or "echo" for short. It uses sound waves to make an image of your baby's heart.

Other tests, such as an EKG (electrocardiogram), chest X-ray, and checking the amount of oxygen in the blood, also help identify the problem.

A fetal ultrasound, which looks at the baby's heart, may find this problem before birth.

Your doctor will help you understand the treatment options and what to expect from each choice.

Your baby may be given medicine to keep a blood vessel, called the ductus arteriosus, open. This helps keep blood with oxygen flowing to the body. The medicine is usually given through a blood vessel in the belly button.

A catheter procedure may be done. The doctor puts a thin tube (catheter) into a blood vessel in the baby's groin and moves it to the heart. Then a hole is made between the upper chambers of the heart. This hole lets high-oxygen and low-oxygen blood mix so your baby gets more oxygen.

Open heart surgery is needed to cut and switch the two arteries. If there are other heart problems, they can be fixed at the same time.

Your doctor will make sure that you have all the information you need to take care of your baby. Your child's care team can show you how to help your baby. You can also ask the hospital staff about counseling and support.