Transposition of the great vessels

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Heart, front view

Heart, section through the middle

Transposition of the great vessels

Transposition of the great arteries

A medicine called prostaglandin will be immediately given to the baby. The medicine is given to the baby through an IV (intravenous line). This medicine helps blood flow through the lungs and body.

Surgery to temporarily adjust the affected blood vessels may be needed shortly after birth. In most hospitals, a type of surgery called an arterial switch procedure can be used to permanently correct the problem within the first week of life.

Improvement in symptoms and growth and development is seen after surgical correction of the defect. If corrective surgery is not performed, the life expectancy is shortened.

• Arrhythmias
• Heart valve problems
• Coronary artery disease

This condition can be diagnosed before birth using a fetal echocardiogram. If it is not, it is usually diagnosed soon after a baby is born.

Go to the emergency room or call the local emergency number such as 911 if your baby's skin develops a bluish color.

Call the health care provider if your baby has this condition and new symptoms develop, get worse, or continue after treatment.

Review Date: 12/13/2006
Reviewed By: Anne J. L. Chun, M.D., Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Cardiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.