Physiology
TGA is well tolerated by the fetus in-utero. Oxygen-rich blood enters through the umbilical vein and passes from the right atrium to the left atrium through the fossa ovalis. From the left heart circulation, oxygenated blood then flows into the pulmonary artery and enters the systemic circulation via the ductus arteriosis (DA). The high pressure of the pulmonary capillary beds allows a right to left shunt across the ductus into the descending aorta. Since most blood is not pumped through the ascending aorta, oxygenation of the head and neck can be impaired even in utero.
After delivery, the degree of cyanosis and stability of the infant depends on the volume of blood mixing between the two parallel circulations. There must be some delivery of oxygenated blood to systemic circulation for compatibility with life. Mixing occurs most efficiently at the level of the atria across the fossa ovalis due to the lower pressure gradient between the two chambers; the large pressure gradients present at VSDs and the DA limit mixing between the two circulations.
Clinical Presentation and Diagnosis
TGA is one of the more difficult cardiac abnormalities to diagnose by fetal ultrasound. As a result, most cases are diagnosed after delivery. The typical ultrasound screening focuses on a four-chamber view of the heart, so TGA is often missed due to an absence of ventricular size discrepancy. Accuracy is improved by visualization of the great arteries and evaluation of whether they cross normally or not.
Most patients with TGA present within the first 30 days of life. The most commonly observed symptoms on physical exam are cyanosis, tachypnea, and cardiac murmur.
The degree of cyanosis depends on the volume of mixing between the two circulations: patients with a medium to large-size VSD will typically be less cyanotic than those with an intact septum or small VSD. Cyanosis is not affected by exertion or supplemental oxygen.
Most patients will have a respiratory rate greater than 60, but usually will not show other signs of respiratory distress like flaring, grunting or retractions. Patients with a large VSD can present with signs of respiratory distress by the 3rd or 4th week due to heart failure.
Murmurs are only present in patients with a VSD or outflow tract obstruction. A VSD will present with a holosystolic murmur, while an outflow tract obstruction may have a systolic ejection murmur at the upper left sternal border.
Up to 5% of patients will have diminished femoral pulses secondary to coarctation or interruption of the aortic arch.
Most patients who do not receive treatment die within the first year of life.
Postnatal diagnosis is based on clinical suspicion of cyanotic congenital heart disease and is confirmed with echocardiography (Echo). Electrocardiography (ECG) is typically normal. Chest x-rays (CXR) can show a normal cardiac silhouette, although the classic CXR presentation features a heart with an “egg on a string” appearance.
PhysiologyTGA is well tolerated by the fetus in-utero. Oxygen-rich blood enters through the umbilical vein and passes from the right atrium to the left atrium through the fossa ovalis. From the left heart circulation, oxygenated blood then flows into the pulmonary artery and enters the systemic circulation via the ductus arteriosis (DA). The high pressure of the pulmonary capillary beds allows a right to left shunt across the ductus into the descending aorta. Since most blood is not pumped through the ascending aorta, oxygenation of the head and neck can be impaired even in utero.After delivery, the degree of cyanosis and stability of the infant depends on the volume of blood mixing between the two parallel circulations. There must be some delivery of oxygenated blood to systemic circulation for compatibility with life. Mixing occurs most efficiently at the level of the atria across the fossa ovalis due to the lower pressure gradient between the two chambers; the large pressure gradients present at VSDs and the DA limit mixing between the two circulations. Clinical Presentation and DiagnosisTGA is one of the more difficult cardiac abnormalities to diagnose by fetal ultrasound. As a result, most cases are diagnosed after delivery. The typical ultrasound screening focuses on a four-chamber view of the heart, so TGA is often missed due to an absence of ventricular size discrepancy. Accuracy is improved by visualization of the great arteries and evaluation of whether they cross normally or not.Most patients with TGA present within the first 30 days of life. The most commonly observed symptoms on physical exam are cyanosis, tachypnea, and cardiac murmur. The degree of cyanosis depends on the volume of mixing between the two circulations: patients with a medium to large-size VSD will typically be less cyanotic than those with an intact septum or small VSD. Cyanosis is not affected by exertion or supplemental oxygen.Most patients will have a respiratory rate greater than 60, but usually will not show other signs of respiratory distress like flaring, grunting or retractions. Patients with a large VSD can present with signs of respiratory distress by the 3rd or 4th week due to heart failure.Murmurs are only present in patients with a VSD or outflow tract obstruction. A VSD will present with a holosystolic murmur, while an outflow tract obstruction may have a systolic ejection murmur at the upper left sternal border.Up to 5% of patients will have diminished femoral pulses secondary to coarctation or interruption of the aortic arch.Most patients who do not receive treatment die within the first year of life. Postnatal diagnosis is based on clinical suspicion of cyanotic congenital heart disease and is confirmed with echocardiography (Echo). Electrocardiography (ECG) is typically normal. Chest x-rays (CXR) can show a normal cardiac silhouette, although the classic CXR presentation features a heart with an “egg on a string” appearance.
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