Question 1

what is truncus arteriosus?

Accepted Answer

Congenital heart dx: Truncus arteriosus is a relatively rare form of congenital heart disease consisting of a single, common blood vessel that arises from the heart pumping chambers (ventricles) and gives rise to both the pulmonary arteries (taking blood to the lungs) and the aorta (taking blood to the body). It's caused by a failure of the truncus to separate into a pulmonary artery and aorta during fetal development.

Question 2

what causes truncus arteriosus?

Accepted Answer

Usually unknown: Truncus arteriosis is a type of congenital heart disease that results from abnormal development of the heart during fetal development. While it is sometimes associated with certain genetic syndromes, the cause in most cases is unknown. For more information go to www.Mayoclinic.Com -> health information -> diseases & conditions a_z and look up truncus arteriosis (under "t", of coursse).

Question 3

how do you treat truncus arteriosus?

Accepted Answer

Medication & Surgery: It is usually initially treated with medications for heart failure, but pretty much always requires multiple surgical procedures beginning very early in life. For more information go to www.Mayoclinic.Com -> health information -> diseases & conditions a_z and look up truncus arteriosis (under "t", of coursse).

Question 4

what are the tests for truncus arteriosus?

Accepted Answer

Echo and cxr: Clinical presentation leads to suspicion of heart disease. Lack of improving oxygenation with 100% oxygen is another area of concern. Cxr will be diagnostic along with echocardiogram.

Question 5

what are the common symptoms of truncus arteriosus?

Accepted Answer

Fast breathing: When children are born with this, they can appear quite healthy. Over the first days to weeks of life, patients breath rapidly as more blood floods the lungs. They have difficulty eatting and gaining weight.. All of these patients require surgery.

Question 6

in easy to understand terms, what's truncus arteriosus?

Accepted Answer

Conotruncal disease: During heart development, the pulmonary artery, which provides blood flow to the lungs, and the aorta, which provides blood flow to the body, start as a common tube which is called the common arterial trunk or the truncus arteriosus.  If this tube never divides, the name of the resulting congenital heart defect is truncus arteriosus.  This is a life-threatening defect requiring surgical repair.

Question 7

what are the signs a baby might have truncus arteriosus?

Accepted Answer

Heart failure: It ususlly manifests symptoms of heart insufficiencny ro failure-- cyanosis (blueness), poor feeding, breathing problems, sweating, and irregular heartbeat. For more information go to www.Mayoclinic.Com -> health information -> diseases & conditions a_z and look up truncus arteriosis (under "t", of coursse).

Question 8

what is the definition or description of: truncus arteriosus?

Accepted Answer

Truncus arteriosus: Truncus arteriosus is a rare type of heart disease in which a single blood vessel (truncus arteriosus) comes out of the right and left ventricles, instead of the normal 2 vessels (pulmonary artery and aorta). It is present at birth.  Abnormal mixing of the blood results in circulation problems requiring corrective surgery to the normally placed two vessels.

Question 9

what to do if i'm having kids, possible or not with truncus arteriosus?

Accepted Answer

Wrong place to ask: The cardiologist who manages your specific case is the best source for information on your risks with reproduction. His/her advice and that of your OBGyn could give you an understanding of how pregnancy would affect you.

Question 10

what is the treatment for truncus arteriosus?

Accepted Answer

Surgery: Open heart surgery is performed in newborn period.

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What is truncus arteriosus?

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In easy to understand terms, what's truncus arteriosus?

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