Transposition of the great vessels history and symptoms


 * Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief: Priyamvada Singh, M.B.B.S. [mailto:psingh@perfuse.org]; ; Keri Shafer, M.D. [mailto:kshafer@bidmc.harvard.edu]; Assistant Editor(s)-In-Chief: Kristin Feeney, B.S. [mailto:kfeeney@perfuse.org]

Symptoms
Cyanosis will appear soon, due to the low oxygen saturation of the blood. Peripheral areas such as around the mouth and lips, fingertips, and toes are affected first because they are furthest from the heart, and since the circulated blood is not fully oxygenated to begin with, very little oxygen reaches the peripheral arteries.

A d-TGA baby will exhibit indrawing beneath the ribcage and rapid breathing; this is likely a homeostatic reflex of the autonomic nervous system in response to hypoxic hypoxia. The infant will be easily fatigued and may experience weakness, particularly during feeding or playing; this interruption to feeding combined with hypoxia can cause failure to thrive. If d-TGA is not diagnosed and corrected early on, the infant may eventually experience syncopic episodes and develop clubbing of the fingers and toes.

Acknowledgements and Initial Contributors to Page
Leida Perez, M.D.