Transposition of the Aorta and Pulmonary Artery

Abstract

Transposition of the aorta and pulmonary artery is now more frequently diagnosed in life. It must be distinguished from Fallot's tetralogy because it is not helped by the Blalock-Taussig operation: indeed, the blood flow to the lungs is increased instead of reduced. This picture of pleonemic lungs can be recognized by radioscopy and indicates a left to right shunt; when combined with central cyanosis, complete or partial transposition is the most common cause. The general picture seen in 25 cases, in 6 of which the diagnosis was confirmed by cardiac catheterization and angiocardiography, is described. Two cases where the features of transposition were obscured by the presence of pulmonary stenosis are included.