Transposition of the Great Arteries: Historical Background

Ma, Jae Sook

Abstract

The definition and nomenclature of transposition of great arteries has become not only the target of a debate among the cardiologists, but also that of interest and challenge in its treatment for the cardiac surgeons for a long time. Complete transposition of the great arteries is a congenital cardiac anomaly with ventriculoarterial discordant connection (the aorta arising entirely or largely from right ventricle and the pulmonary trunk arising entirely or largely from left ventricle) and atrioventricular concordant connection. Without treatment, about 30% of the infants with this cardiac malformation die in the first week of life, 50% within the first month, 70% within the 6 months, and 90% within the first year. Congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries refers to that anomaly in which there exists a discordant connection between the atria and ventricles as well as between the ventricles and great arteries. Because of a discordant at the ventricular and great artery level the circulation is "corrected". However, the morphologic right ventricle and tricuspid valve directly provide systemic cardiac output, and the ability of the right ventricle to support the systemic circulation is often complicated by associated cardiac defects. The following report reviews the historical background of the definition and nomenclature of transposition of the great arteries as well as history of therapy for complete transposition of the great arteries and congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries.