Truncus arteriosus

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Truncus arteriosus

Truncus

Surgery is needed to treat this condition. Two procedures are available.

One treatment involves banding the pulmonary arteries coming off the truncus to limit the amount of blood that can flow through them. However, this procedure is rarely used anymore.

The other procedure is called complete repair. Complete repair appears to be the preferred option.

Complete repair usually provides good results. Another procedure may be needed as the patient grows. Untreated cases result in death, often during the first year of life.

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• Heart failure
• High blood pressure in the lungs (pulmonary hypertension) with pulmonary obstructive lung disease

Call your health care provider if your infant or child:

• Appears lethargic
• Appears overly tired or mildly short of breath
• Does not eat well
• Does not seem to be growing or developing normally

If the skin, lips, or nail beds look blue or if the child seems to be very short of breath, take the child to the emergency room or have the child examined promptly.

Review Date: 12/21/2009
Reviewed By: Kurt R. Schumacher, MD, Pediatric Cardiology, University of Michigan Congenital Heart Center, Ann Arbor, MI. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).