Persistent truncus arteriosus anatomical changes

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

Anatomical changes
Anatomical changes associated with this disorder includes:
 * single artery arising from the two ventricles which gives rise to both the aortic and pulmonary vessels
 * abnormal truncal valve
 * right sided aortic arch in about 30% of cases (not shown)
 * large ventricular septal defect
 * pulmonary hypertension
 * complete mixing occurring at level of the great vessel