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Professional Technical IVT

Transposition of the Great Arteries

A congenital heart defect where the two main arteries leaving the heart are switched, disrupting normal blood circulation.

Full Definition

Transposition of the Great Arteries (TGA) is a serious congenital heart defect in which the positions of the aorta and pulmonary artery are reversed. In this condition, the aorta arises from the right ventricle instead of the left, and the pulmonary artery arises from the left ventricle instead of the right. This creates two separate, parallel circuits where oxygen-poor blood circulates to the body and oxygen-rich blood circulates only to the lungs. TGA requires immediate surgical correction and may be classified as simple or complex depending on associated defects.

Usage

Usage note: Abbreviated as TGA or D-TGA. Distinguish from 'corrected transposition' which has different implications.

In Context

  • "The infant underwent an arterial switch operation to correct Transposition of the Great Arteries." — Surgical case report
  • "Transposition of the Great Arteries accounts for 5-7% of all congenital heart disease." — Medical textbook

Also known as

TGA D-TGA

Don't confuse with

Corrected Transposition Congenitally Corrected Transposition
Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return ← Back to glossary Tricuspid Atresia

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