Common Arterial Trunk

Common Arterial Trunk

Article
Heart & Vascular Health
Kids' Zone
+4
Contributed byKrish Tangella MD, MBAJan 15, 2022

The topic Common Arterial Trunk you are seeking is a synonym, or alternative name, or is closely related to the medical condition Truncus Arteriosus.

Quick Summary:

  • Congenital heart defects are relatively common birth defects involving the heart, and these may be of several types. Truncus Arteriosus is a rare but critical congenital heart disorder, which is characterized by the presence of a single blood vessel that carries blood to the lungs (pulmonary artery) and to the rest of the body (aorta), instead of two separate vessels for the lungs and the body
  • In this abnormality, the Truncus Arteriosus (primitive part of fetal heart) fails to divide into the pulmonary artery and the aorta and they have single origin from the heart. Generally, the blood follows the body-heart-lungs-heart-body cycle. But, when the heart has a Truncus Arteriosus abnormality, no specific path can be followed by blood; the oxygen-rich blood and the oxygen-poor blood gets mixed up with each other resulting in serious circulatory abnormalities
  • Normally there are two blood vessels, the aorta and the pulmonary artery that come out of the heart. The function of the pulmonary artery is to carry oxygen-poor blood to the lungs; the aorta is responsible for carrying oxygen-rich blood to the rest of the body. But, in Truncus Arteriosus, the wall that divides the two chambers of the heart is absent, resulting in the mixing of oxygen-rich and oxygen-poor blood
  • In a normally healthy individual, the pulmonary artery comes out from the right ventricle and the aorta comes out from the left ventricle. However, in this heart condition, a single artery comes out of the ventricle. In Truncus Arteriosus, there may also be a large hole present between the two ventricles, called as a ventricular septal defect (VSD)
  • The common signs and symptoms associated with Truncus Arteriosus include bluish discoloration of the skin, breathing difficulties, irregular heartbeat, and poor growth and development. It could present complications such as increased blood pressure in the lung (pulmonary hypertension), enlargement of the heart (cardiomegaly), and heart failure (cardiac failure)
  • Currently, surgical repair is the best available treatment measure for Truncus Arteriosus. With recent advancements in surgery, the prognosis is generally good following early and successful surgical interventions

Please find comprehensive information on Truncus Arteriosus regarding definition, distribution, risk factors, causes, signs & symptoms, diagnosis, complications, treatment, prevention, prognosis, and additional useful information HERE.

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Krish Tangella MD, MBA

Pathology, Medical Editorial Board, DoveMed Team

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