Persistent truncus arteriosus overview

Associate Editor-in-Chief: Keri Shafer, M.D. [mailto:kshafer@bidmc.harvard.edu]

Overview
Persistent truncus arteriosus (or Truncus arteriosus) is a rare form of congenital heart disease that presents at birth. In this condition, the embryological structure known as the truncus arteriosus never properly divides into the pulmonary artery and aorta.