TGA, Dextro-Transposition of the Great Arteries, DTGA, d-Transposition of the Great Arteries, d-TGA, Dextro-Looped Transposition of the Great Arteries
Transposition of the great arteries (TGA) is a type of congenital heart defect in which there is a reversal of the normal connections of the aorta and the pulmonary artery with the heart.
Image by Jules Atkins, RM Supplied by: Brandi Catt
Transposition of the Great Arteries
Transposition of the Great Arteries
Image by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Transposition of the Great Arteries
Facts about Transposition of the Great Arteries : Transposition of the great arteries (TGA) is a heart condition that is present at birth, and often is called a congenital heart defect. TGA occurs when the two main arteries going out of the heart-the pulmonary artery and the aorta-are switched in position, or "transposed".
Image by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Transposition of the Great Arteries
Transposition of the great arteries (TGA) is a type of congenital heart defect in which there is a reversal of the normal connections of the aorta and the pulmonary artery with the heart. The aorta and pulmonary artery are reversed, which causes oxygen-poor blood to be circulated to the body and oxygen-rich blood to be circulated between the lungs and the heart, rather than to the body. Symptoms are apparent at birth and include great difficulty breathing and severe cyanosis (a bluish discoloration of the skin). The exact cause of TGA in most cases is unknown. Surgery is done to correct the abnormality during the first few days of life.
Source: Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center (GARD)
Additional Materials (15)
An illustration comparing normal heart anatomy and circulation to d-TGA heart anatomy and circulation.
An illustration comparing normal heart anatomy and circulation to d-TGA heart anatomy and circulation.
Transposition of the great arteries (TGA) - an Osmosis Preview
Osmosis/YouTube
17:15
Transposition of the Great Arteries: D-TGA, L-TGA (Thomas Young, MD)
Houston Methodist DeBakey CV Education/YouTube
0:43
The Structure of a Heart with Transposition of the Great Arteries (TGA) - CHOP
The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia/YouTube
1:57
Transposition of the Great Arteries (TGA): How It Develops (2 of 5)
The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia/YouTube
5:28
Transposition of the Great Arteries (TGA): After Surgery (5 of 5)
The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia/YouTube
5:02
Transposition of the Great Arteries: LJ's Story
The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia/YouTube
3:03
Congenitally Corrected Transposition of the Great Arteries (CCTGA)
iHeartChange/YouTube
1:06
The Arterial Switch Operation to Treat Transposition of the Great Arteries (TGA) - CHOP
The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia/YouTube
6:23
Explaining Transposition of the Great Arteries (1 of 5)
The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia/YouTube
2:14
Transposition of the Great Arteries (TGA): Stabilizing Your Baby After Delivery (3 of 5)
The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia/YouTube
47:10
Transposition of the Great Arteries and the Evolution of Adult Congenital Heart Disease
UWDeptMedicine/YouTube
How the Heart Works
Human Heart Displaying Aorta and Coronary Artery
Apolipoprotein B
Heart Cross Section Revealing Valve and Nerve
1
2
3
Human Heart
Interactive by TheVisualMD
Human Heart Displaying Aorta and Coronary Artery
Apolipoprotein B
Heart Cross Section Revealing Valve and Nerve
1
2
3
Human Heart
1) Human Heart Displaying Aorta and Coronary Artery - 3D visualization based on scanned human data of an anterior view of the heart.
2) Coronary Arteries - Your heart is a hollow, muscular organ whose only job is to pump blood throughout your body. Because every cell in your body must have a never-ending supply of oxygenated blood, your heart never sleeps. It beats about 100,000 times a day, pumping 6 qts of blood through the 65,000 miles of vessels that comprise your circulatory system, 3 times every minute.
3) Heart Cross Section Revealing Valve and Nerve - 3D visualization based on scanned human data of a mid-coronal cut of the heart revealing the heart's nervous system. A natural pacemaker called the sinoatrial (SA) node is responsible for heart's natural cycle of rhythmic contractions. Embedding in the wall of the upper right atrium, it emits regular electrical pulses that race along nervelike cables through the atria, inducing them to contract. The signals pause slightly at a second node before branching left and right, subdividing into a network of modified muscles fibers in the walls of the ventricles.
Interactive by TheVisualMD
How the Heart Works
The heart is an organ, about the size of a fist. It is made of muscle and pumps blood through the body. Blood is carried through the body in blood vessels, or tubes, called arteries and veins. The process of moving blood through the body is called circulation. Together, the heart and vessels make up the cardiovascular system.
Structure of the Heart
The heart has four chambers (two atria and two ventricles). There is a wall (septum) between the two atria and another wall between the two ventricles. Arteries and veins go into and out of the heart. Arteries carry blood away from the heart and veins carry blood to the heart. The flow of blood through the vessels and chambers of the heart is controlled by valves.
Blood Flow Through the Heart
(Abbreviations refer to labels in the illustration)
The heart pumps blood to all parts of the body. Blood provides oxygen and nutrients to the body and removes carbon dioxide and wastes. As blood travels through the body, oxygen is used up, and the blood becomes oxygen poor.
Oxygen-poor blood returns from the body to the heart through the superior vena cava (SVC) and inferior vena cava (IVC), the two main veins that bring blood back to the heart.
The oxygen-poor blood enters the right atrium (RA), or the right upper chamber of the heart.
From there, the blood flows through the tricuspid valve (TV) into the right ventricle (RV), or the right lower chamber of the heart.
The right ventricle (RV) pumps oxygen-poor blood through the pulmonary valve (PV) into the main pulmonary artery (MPA).
From there, the blood flows through the right and left pulmonary arteries into the lungs.
In the lungs, oxygen is put into the blood and carbon dioxide is taken out of the blood during the process of breathing. After the blood gets oxygen in the lungs, it is called oxygen-rich blood.
Oxygen-rich blood flows from the lungs back into the left atrium (LA), or the left upper chamber of the heart, through four pulmonary veins.
Oxygen-rich blood then flows through the mitral valve (MV) into the left ventricle (LV), or the left lower chamber.
The left ventricle (LV) pumps the oxygen-rich blood through the aortic valve (AoV) into the aorta (Ao), the main artery that takes oxygen-rich blood out to the rest of the body.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Additional Materials (6)
The Heart and Circulatory System - How They Work
Video by Mayo Clinic/YouTube
British Heart Foundation - How does a healthy heart work?
Video by British Heart Foundation/YouTube
Understanding Heart Valves and the Four Systems in the Heart
Video by American Heart Association/YouTube
Atrioventricular Nodes - Tracing the heartbeat
Sinoatrial Node - Tracing the heartbeat
Bundle Branches - Tracing the heartbeat
Purkinje fibers - Tracing the heartbeat
1
2
3
4
Tracing the Heartbeat
1) Atrioventricular Nodes - A small nodular mass of specialized muscle fibers located in the interatrial septum near the opening of the coronary sinus. It gives rise to the atrioventricular bundle of the conduction system of the heart.
2) Sinoatrial Node - The small mass of modified cardiac muscle fibers located at the junction of the superior vena cava (VENA CAVA, SUPERIOR) and right atrium. Contraction impulses probably start in this node, spread over the atrium (HEART ATRIUM) and are then transmitted by the atrioventricular bundle (BUNDLE OF HIS) to the ventricle (HEART VENTRICLE).
3) Bundle of His - Small band of specialized CARDIAC MUSCLE fibers that originates in the ATRIOVENTRICULAR NODE and extends into the membranous part of the interventricular septum. The bundle of His, consisting of the left and the right bundle branches, conducts the electrical impulses to the HEART VENTRICLES in generation of MYOCARDIAL CONTRACTION.
4) Purkinje fibers - Modified cardiac muscle fibers composing the terminal portion of the heart conduction system.
Interactive by TheVisualMD
Heart Cycle in Systole / Heart Cycle in Diastole
Heart Cycle
There are two phases of the cardiac cycle: systole and diastole. Diastole is the phase during which the heart relaxes, letting blood fill into the left and right atria. The ventricles fill with more and more blood until the pressure is great enough against the semilunar valves that they open, allowing the blood to enter the aorta and pulmonary trunk. Diastolic pressure is the blood pressure felt in your arteries between heart beats. Blood pressure is denoted as a fraction, with the systolic pressure being the top number. Blood pressure higher than the average of 120/80 enters the range of hypertension.
Interactive by TheVisualMD
Heart Cycle in Systole / Heart Cycle in Diastole
Systole and Diastole
Systole - Period of contraction of the HEART, especially of the HEART VENTRICLES.
Diastole - Post-systolic relaxation of the HEART, especially the HEART VENTRICLES.
There are two phases of the cardiac cycle: systole and diastole. Systole is the phase during which the heart contracts, pushing blood out of the left and right ventricles, into the systemic and pulmonary circulation respectively. The ventricles fill with more and more blood until the pressure is great enough against the semilunar valves that they open, allowing the blood to enter the aorta and pulmonary trunk. Systolic pressure is the blood pressure felt in your arteries when your heart beats. Blood pressure is denoted as a fraction, with the systolic pressure being the top number. Blood pressure higher than the average of 120/80 enters the range of hypertension.
Interactive by TheVisualMD
3:01
The Heart and Circulatory System - How They Work
Mayo Clinic/YouTube
1:30
British Heart Foundation - How does a healthy heart work?
British Heart Foundation/YouTube
2:25
Understanding Heart Valves and the Four Systems in the Heart
American Heart Association/YouTube
Tracing the Heartbeat
TheVisualMD
Heart Cycle
TheVisualMD
Systole and Diastole
TheVisualMD
Fetal Circulatory System
Developing Heart
Image by TheVisualMD
Developing Heart
Developing rapidly and early, the heart is the first organ to function in the embryo, and it takes up most of the room in the fetus's midsection in the first few weeks of its life. During its initial stages of development, the fetal heart actually resembles those of other animals. In its tubelike, two-chambered phase, the fetal heart resembles that of a fish. In its three-chambered phase, the heart looks like that of a frog. As the atria and then the ventricles start to separate, the human heart resembles that of a turtle, which has a partial septum in its ventricle. The final, four-chambered design is common to mammals and birds. The four chambers allow low-pressure circulation to the lungs and high pressure circulation to the rest of the body.
Image by TheVisualMD
The Fetal Circulatory System
During prenatal development, the fetal circulatory system is integrated with the placenta via the umbilical cord so that the fetus receives both oxygen and nutrients from the placenta. However, after childbirth, the umbilical cord is severed, and the newborn’s circulatory system must be reconfigured. When the heart first forms in the embryo, it exists as two parallel tubes derived from mesoderm and lined with endothelium, which then fuse together. As the embryo develops into a fetus, the tube-shaped heart folds and further differentiates into the four chambers present in a mature heart. Unlike a mature cardiovascular system, however, the fetal cardiovascular system also includes circulatory shortcuts, or shunts. A shunt is an anatomical (or sometimes surgical) diversion that allows blood flow to bypass immature organs such as the lungs and liver until childbirth.
The placenta provides the fetus with necessary oxygen and nutrients via the umbilical vein. (Remember that veins carry blood toward the heart. In this case, the blood flowing to the fetal heart is oxygenated because it comes from the placenta. The respiratory system is immature and cannot yet oxygenate blood on its own.) From the umbilical vein, the oxygenated blood flows toward the inferior vena cava, all but bypassing the immature liver, via the ductus venosus shunt (image). The liver receives just a trickle of blood, which is all that it needs in its immature, semifunctional state. Blood flows from the inferior vena cava to the right atrium, mixing with fetal venous blood along the way.
Although the fetal liver is semifunctional, the fetal lungs are nonfunctional. The fetal circulation therefore bypasses the lungs by shifting some of the blood through the foramen ovale, a shunt that directly connects the right and left atria and avoids the pulmonary trunk altogether. Most of the rest of the blood is pumped to the right ventricle, and from there, into the pulmonary trunk, which splits into pulmonary arteries. However, a shunt within the pulmonary artery, the ductus arteriosus, diverts a portion of this blood into the aorta. This ensures that only a small volume of oxygenated blood passes through the immature pulmonary circuit, which has only minor metabolic requirements. Blood vessels of uninflated lungs have high resistance to flow, a condition that encourages blood to flow to the aorta, which presents much lower resistance. The oxygenated blood moves through the foramen ovale into the left atrium, where it mixes with the now deoxygenated blood returning from the pulmonary circuit. This blood then moves into the left ventricle, where it is pumped into the aorta. Some of this blood moves through the coronary arteries into the myocardium, and some moves through the carotid arteries to the brain.
The descending aorta carries partially oxygenated and partially deoxygenated blood into the lower regions of the body. It eventually passes into the umbilical arteries through branches of the internal iliac arteries. The deoxygenated blood collects waste as it circulates through the fetal body and returns to the umbilical cord. Thus, the two umbilical arteries carry blood low in oxygen and high in carbon dioxide and fetal wastes. This blood is filtered through the placenta, where wastes diffuse into the maternal circulation. Oxygen and nutrients from the mother diffuse into the placenta and from there into the fetal blood, and the process repeats.
Fetal Circulatory System
The fetal circulatory system includes three shunts to divert blood from undeveloped and partially functioning organs, as well as blood supply to and from the placenta.
Source: CNX OpenStax
Additional Materials (9)
Fetal structures in an adult | Circulatory system physiology | NCLEX-RN | Khan Academy
Video by khanacademymedicine/YouTube
Fetal heart sound location | fetal heart sound position | fetal heart sound in pregnancy | nursing
Video by NURSING OFFICER/YouTube
Foetal (Fetal) Circulation
Video by Armando Hasudungan/YouTube
Fetal circulation right before birth | Circulatory system physiology | NCLEX-RN | Khan Academy
Video by khanacademymedicine/YouTube
What Is a Fetal Echochardiogram Test?
Video by UIChildrens/YouTube
This browser does not support the video element.
Developing Body System of a Fetus
Camera shows mostly transparent fetus at approximately 4-5 months. As the camera, pans around various body systems are highlighted. First, the lungs and heart. Then the nervous, digestive systems and skeletal. Skin becomes gradually more opaque. Environment is suggestive of placental tissue.
Video by TheVisualMD
This browser does not support the video element.
Fetus with Developing Body System
Camera shows mostly transparent fetus at approximately 4-5 months. As the camera, pans around various body systems are highlighted. First, the lungs and heart. Then the nervous, digestive systems and skeletal. Skin becomes gradually more opaque. Environment is suggestive of placental tissue.
Video by TheVisualMD
Primitive Heart Tube
Fused Heart Tube
Heart of Human Embryo Forming Atria and Ventricle
Heart of Human Embryo Forming Chamber
Heart of Human Embryo
Adult Heart
1
2
3
4
5
6
1 ) Primitive Heart Tube 2) Fused Heart Tube- Atria Begin to Separate 3) Heart of Human Embryo Forming Ventric
By the 25th day of gestation, a \"heart\" is already pumping and circulating blood through a network of vessels. These initial heartbeats come from a very different organ than the one seen in an adult. This early heart is really only a simple tube twisted back on itself because there is not enough room to grow. By the 5th week, the twisted tube fuses and becomes a two-chambered heart with one atrium and one ventricle. By the 6th week, a vertical wall - known as the septum - grows up the middle of the two chambers, dividing them to form the four-chambered heart that will persist into adulthood.
Interactive by TheVisualMD
Circulatory System of a Human Fetus
Circulation operates differently in the fetus. While a fetus is developing in the womb, the lungs never expand and never collect or contain any air. Oxygenated blood comes directly from the mother through the placenta and umbilical cord. In addition, the path of blood through the fetal heart is different from that of an adult. In the fetus, much of the blood that enters the right side of the heart flows directly into the left side of the heart through a valve called the foramen ovale and back out into the body. The remaining blood that flows into the major vessel to the lungs - the pulmonary artery - is still redirected away from the non-functioning lungs. It moves directly from the pulmonary artery through a pathway called the ductus arteriosis into the major vessel to the rest of the body - the aorta. Although the vessels are in place and the four-chambered heart works, until birth, blood circulating through the fetus bypasses the pulmonary circulation entirely.
Image by TheVisualMD
8:17
Fetal structures in an adult | Circulatory system physiology | NCLEX-RN | Khan Academy
khanacademymedicine/YouTube
12:58
Fetal heart sound location | fetal heart sound position | fetal heart sound in pregnancy | nursing
NURSING OFFICER/YouTube
11:07
Foetal (Fetal) Circulation
Armando Hasudungan/YouTube
11:52
Fetal circulation right before birth | Circulatory system physiology | NCLEX-RN | Khan Academy
khanacademymedicine/YouTube
1:05
What Is a Fetal Echochardiogram Test?
UIChildrens/YouTube
0:09
Developing Body System of a Fetus
TheVisualMD
0:09
Fetus with Developing Body System
TheVisualMD
1 ) Primitive Heart Tube 2) Fused Heart Tube- Atria Begin to Separate 3) Heart of Human Embryo Forming Ventric
TheVisualMD
Circulatory System of a Human Fetus
TheVisualMD
Embryonic Heart Development
Primitive Heart Tube
Fused Heart Tube
Heart of Human Embryo Forming Atria and Ventricle
Heart of Human Embryo Forming Chamber
Heart of Human Embryo
1
2
3
4
5
Embryonic Heart
Interactive by TheVisualMD
Primitive Heart Tube
Fused Heart Tube
Heart of Human Embryo Forming Atria and Ventricle
Heart of Human Embryo Forming Chamber
Heart of Human Embryo
1
2
3
4
5
Embryonic Heart
By the 25th day of gestation, a "heart" is already pumping and circulating blood through a network of vessels. These initial heartbeats come from a very different organ than the one seen in an adult. This early heart is really only a simple tube twisted back on itself because there is not enough room to grow. By the 5th week, the twisted tube fuses and becomes a two-chambered heart with one atrium and one ventricle. By the 6th week, a vertical wall - known as the septum - grows up the middle of the two chambers, dividing them to form the four-chambered heart that will persist into adulthood.
Interactive by TheVisualMD
Development of the Embryonic and Fetal Heart
The heart folds quickly like origami and now starts beating. This begins with the formation of two tubes and beats spontaneously by week 4 of development.
Developing rapidly and early, the heart is the first organ to function in the embryo, and it takes up most of the room in the fetus's midsection in the first few weeks of its life. During its initial stages of development, the fetal heart actually resembles those of other animals. In its tubelike, two-chambered phase, the fetal heart resembles that of a fish. In its three-chambered phase, the heart looks like that of a frog. As the atria and then the ventricles start to separate, the human heart resembles that of a turtle, which has a partial septum in its ventricle. The final, four-chambered design is common to mammals and birds. The four chambers allow low-pressure circulation to the lungs and high pressure circulation to the rest of the body.
Development of the Heart
The human heart is the first functional organ to develop. It begins beating and pumping blood around day 21 or 22, a mere three weeks after fertilization. This emphasizes the critical nature of the heart in distributing blood through the vessels and the vital exchange of nutrients, oxygen, and wastes both to and from the developing baby. The critical early development of the heart is reflected by the prominent heart bulge that appears on the anterior surface of the embryo.
The heart forms from an embryonic tissue called mesoderm around 18 to 19 days after fertilization. Mesoderm is one of the three primary germ layers that differentiates early in development that collectively gives rise to all subsequent tissues and organs. The heart begins to develop near the head of the embryo in a region known as the cardiogenic area. Following chemical signals called factors from the underlying endoderm (another of the three primary germ layers), the cardiogenic area begins to form two strands called the cardiogenic cords (Figure 19.36). As the cardiogenic cords develop, a lumen rapidly develops within them. At this point, they are referred to as endocardial tubes. The two tubes migrate together and fuse to form a single primitive heart tube. The primitive heart tube quickly forms five distinct regions. From head to tail, these include the truncus arteriosus, bulbus cordis, primitive ventricle, primitive atrium, and the sinus venosus. Initially, all venous blood flows into the sinus venosus, and contractions propel the blood from tail to head, or from the sinus venosus to the truncus arteriosus. This is a very different pattern from that of an adult.
Development of the Human Heart This diagram outlines the embryological development of the human heart during the first eight weeks and the subsequent formation of the four heart chambers.
The five regions of the primitive heart tube develop into recognizable structures in a fully developed heart. The truncus arteriosus will eventually divide and give rise to the ascending aorta and pulmonary trunk. The bulbus cordis develops into the right ventricle. The primitive ventricle forms the left ventricle. The primitive atrium becomes the anterior portions of both the right and left atria, and the two auricles. The sinus venosus develops into the posterior portion of the right atrium, the SA node, and the coronary sinus.
As the primitive heart tube elongates, it begins to fold within the pericardium, eventually forming an S shape, which places the chambers and major vessels into an alignment similar to the adult heart. This process occurs between days 23 and 28. The remainder of the heart development pattern includes development of septa and valves, and remodeling of the actual chambers. Partitioning of the atria and ventricles by the interatrial septum, interventricular septum, and atrioventricular septum is complete by the end of the fifth week, although the fetal blood shunts remain until birth or shortly after. The atrioventricular valves form between weeks five and eight, and the semilunar valves form between weeks five and nine.
Source: CNX OpenStax
Additional Materials (6)
Primitive Heart Tube
Fused Heart Tube
Heart of Human Embryo Forming Atria and Ventricle
Heart of Human Embryo Forming Chamber
Heart of Human Embryo
Adult Heart
1
2
3
4
5
6
1 ) Primitive Heart Tube 2) Fused Heart Tube- Atria Begin to Separate 3) Heart of Human Embryo Forming Ventric
By the 25th day of gestation, a \"heart\" is already pumping and circulating blood through a network of vessels. These initial heartbeats come from a very different organ than the one seen in an adult. This early heart is really only a simple tube twisted back on itself because there is not enough room to grow. By the 5th week, the twisted tube fuses and becomes a two-chambered heart with one atrium and one ventricle. By the 6th week, a vertical wall - known as the septum - grows up the middle of the two chambers, dividing them to form the four-chambered heart that will persist into adulthood.
Interactive by TheVisualMD
Heart embryology video
Video by bobacland/YouTube
Embryology | Development of the Heart ❤️
Video by Ninja Nerd/YouTube
"Cardiac Development' by Lisa McCabe for OPENPediatrics
Video by OPENPediatrics/YouTube
Early Development of the heart: Malformations & Overview – Embryology | Lecturio
Video by Lecturio Medical/YouTube
Foetal (Fetal) Circulation
Video by Armando Hasudungan/YouTube
1 ) Primitive Heart Tube 2) Fused Heart Tube- Atria Begin to Separate 3) Heart of Human Embryo Forming Ventric
TheVisualMD
9:35
Heart embryology video
bobacland/YouTube
1:12:50
Embryology | Development of the Heart ❤️
Ninja Nerd/YouTube
9:42
"Cardiac Development' by Lisa McCabe for OPENPediatrics
OPENPediatrics/YouTube
9:28
Early Development of the heart: Malformations & Overview – Embryology | Lecturio
Lecturio Medical/YouTube
11:07
Foetal (Fetal) Circulation
Armando Hasudungan/YouTube
How Common Is It?
Illustration of rare disease incidence
Image by mcmurryjulie/Pixabay
Illustration of rare disease incidence
Image by mcmurryjulie/Pixabay
Dextro-Transposition of the Great Arteries (D-TGA) - Occurrence
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that about 1,153 babies are born with TGA each year in the United States.This means that every 1 in 3,413 babies born in the US is affected by this defect.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Causes and Risk Factors
Chromosomes
Image by TheVisualMD
Chromosomes
Image by TheVisualMD
Dextro-Transposition of the Great Arteries (D-TGA) - Causes and Risk Factors
The causes of congenital heart defects, such as d-TGA, among most babies are unknown. Some babies have congenital heart defects because of changes in their genes or chromosomes. Heart defects are also thought to be caused by the combination of genes and other risk factors such as things the mother comes in contact with in her environment, or what the mother eats or drinks, or certain medications she uses.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Cause Remains Unknown
Transposition of great vessels
Image by Madhero88
Transposition of great vessels
Transposition of the great vessels, with egg on side sign (heart is slightly enlarged and appears like an egg lying on its side)
Image by Madhero88
The Exact Cause of TGA Remains Unknown
The exact cause of TGA remains unknown. Some possible associated risk factors that have been proposed include gestational diabetes mellitus, maternal exposure to rodenticides and herbicides, and maternal use of anti-epileptic drugs. Changes (mutations) in specific genes including the GDF1, CFC1 and MED13L (also called THRAP2) genes have been implicated in only a small minority of TGA cases.
Source: Genetic and Rare Diseases (GARD) Information Center
Additional Materials (1)
Transposition of the Great Arteries
Video by NationwideChildrens/YouTube
0:39
Transposition of the Great Arteries
NationwideChildrens/YouTube
Diagnosis
Obstetric ultrasonography
Image by Scott
Obstetric ultrasonography
Medical ultrasound examination of a pregnant woman.
Image by Scott
Dextro-Transposition of the Great Arteries (D-TGA) - Diagnosis
This defect may be diagnosed during pregnancy or soon after the baby is born.
During Pregnancy
During pregnancy, there are screening tests that the mother can have (also called prenatal tests) to check for birth defects and other conditions. D-TGA may be diagnosed during pregnancy with an ultrasound test (which creates pictures of the baby). Some findings from the ultrasound may make the health care provider suspect a baby could have d-TGA. If so, the health care provider can request a fetal echocardiogram to confirm the diagnosis. A fetal echocardiogram is a more detailed ultrasound of the baby’s heart. This test can show problems with the structure of the heart and how the heart is working with this defect.
After the Baby is Born
Symptoms occur at birth or very soon afterwards. How severe the symptoms are will depend on whether there is a way for blood to mix and for oxygen-rich blood to get out to the rest of the body. For example, if an infant with d-TGA has another defect, like an atrial septal defect (ASD), the ASD forms a passageway for some oxygen-rich blood to be pumped to the rest of the body. This infant with both d-TGA and an ASD may not have as severe symptoms as infants whose hearts don’t have any mixing of blood. Infants with d-TGA can have a bluish looking skin color—called cyanosis—because their blood doesn’t carry enough oxygen. Infants with d-TGA or other conditions causing cyanosis can have symptoms such as:
Problems breathing
Pounding heart
Weak pulse
Ashen or bluish skin color
Poor feeding
Because the infant might be bluish in color and have trouble breathing, d-TGA is usually diagnosed within the first week of life. The health care provider can request one or more tests to confirm the diagnosis. The most common test is an echocardiogram. An echocardiogram is an ultrasound of the heart that can show problems with the structure of the heart, like incorrect positioning of the two large arteries, and any irregular blood flow. An electrocardiogram (EKG), which measures the electrical activity of the heart, chest x-rays, and other medical tests may also be used to make the diagnosis.
D-TGA is a that also can be detected with newborn pulse oximetry screening. Pulse oximetry is a simple bedside test to determine the amount of oxygen in a baby’s blood. Low levels of oxygen in the blood can be a sign of a CCHD. Newborn screening using pulse oximetry can identify some infants with a CCHD, like d-TGA, before they show any symptoms.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Additional Materials (2)
Newborn Screening of blood Samples
Newborn Screening of blood Samples
Image by TheVisualMD
Prenatal Cell-Free DNA Screening (cfDNA Screening)
Noninvasive Prenatal Testing - Prenatal Cell-Free DNA Screening (cfDNA Screening)
Image by TheVisualMD
Newborn Screening of blood Samples
TheVisualMD
Prenatal Cell-Free DNA Screening (cfDNA Screening)
TheVisualMD
Fetal Echocardiogram
Fetal Echocardiogram
Also called: Fetal echo, Fetal echocardiography
A fetal echocardiogram (also called a fetal echo) uses sound waves to check the heart of your unborn baby. It is used to evaluate the position, size, structure, function and rhythm of your baby's heart.
Fetal Echocardiogram
Also called: Fetal echo, Fetal echocardiography
A fetal echocardiogram (also called a fetal echo) uses sound waves to check the heart of your unborn baby. It is used to evaluate the position, size, structure, function and rhythm of your baby's heart.
{"label":"Fetal Echocardiogram Reference Range","scale":"lin","step":0.25,"hideunits":true,"items":[{"flag":"normal","label":{"short":"Normal","long":"Normal","orientation":"horizontal"},"values":{"min":0,"max":1},"text":"Your baby's heart structure, rhythm, and blood flow seems to be within normal parameters.","conditions":[]},{"flag":"abnormal","label":{"short":"Abnormal","long":"Abnormal","orientation":"horizontal"},"values":{"min":1,"max":2},"text":"Possible abnormalities in the fetal heart structure or rhythm were detected. ","conditions":["Fetal cardiac anomalies","Heart defects"]}],"value":0.5}[{"normal":0},{"abnormal":0}]
Use the slider below to see how your results affect your
health.
Your result is Normal.
Your baby's heart structure, rhythm, and blood flow seems to be within normal parameters.
Related conditions
A fetal echocardiogram is an ultrasound of the fetus heart. This test provides a more detailed image of the baby's heart than other types of ultrasound and also traces the flow of blood through the heart chambers.
The test is usually done in the second trimester, between weeks 18 to 24.
You should have this test if any of the following risk factors are present:
If you or the baby’s father has a congenital heart defect
If you’ve been exposed to certain dangerous chemicals
If you have or have had particular diseases (including type I diabetes, lupus, and rubella)
If you’ve abused drugs or alcohol during pregnancy
If you’ve taken certain medications
It looks for abnormalities in the fetal heart structure, reveals the heart’s rhythm, and shows the route blood takes through the heart’s chambers and valves. To do this, it uses a color Doppler ultrasound, which is a technique that uses color to monitor the direction of blood flow. Red-orange indicates flow towards the top of the ultrasound transducer (probe), blue indicates flow away from the transducer.
The procedure is similar to that of other forms of ultrasound. It can be done through your abdomen (abdominal ultrasound) or through your vagina (transvaginal ultrasound).
Ultrasound exams are noninvasive and are very low risk when performed by skilled practitioners. You should be aware that some fetal heart problems can’t be seen before birth, even with a fetal echocardiogram.
https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/congenital-heart-defects/symptoms--diagnosis-of-congenital-heart-defects/fetal-echocardiogram-test [accessed on Sep 19, 2019]
https://www.healthline.com/health/fetal-echocardiography [accessed on Sep 19, 2019]
https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/specialties/heart-center-cardiology/services-we-offer/programs/echocardiography/fetal-echo [accessed on Sep 19, 2019]
Normal reference ranges can vary depending on the laboratory and the method used for testing. You must use the range supplied by the laboratory that performed your test to evaluate whether your results are "within normal limits."
Additional Materials (7)
Fetal Circulation
Fetal Circulation
Image by OpenStax College
Sensitive content
This media may include sensitive content
Photo of a photo
Annalisa McCormick, spouse of Airman 1st Class Kristopher McCormick, a 35th Civil Engineer Squadron pavement and equipment journeyman, takes a photo of her baby during an ultra sound appointment at Misawa Air Base, Japan, April 10, 2019. An ultrasound, also called a sonogram, monitors fetal development and screens for any potential medical concerns. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Collette Brooks)
Image by U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Collette Brooks
Vascular remodelling in the embryo
Embryonic Development of Heart
Image by OpenStax College
Ultrasound Transducer
A linear array ultrasonic transducer for use in medical ultrasonography
Image by Drickey at English Wikipedia
What is Echocardiography?
Video by Mayo Clinic/YouTube
Chapter- 23 of 24 Truncus arteriosus
Video by Echocardiography in Congenital Heart Disease/YouTube
Head-3D
Fetal Circulation
OpenStax College
Sensitive content
This media may include sensitive content
Photo of a photo
U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Collette Brooks
Vascular remodelling in the embryo
OpenStax College
Ultrasound Transducer
Drickey at English Wikipedia
4:14
What is Echocardiography?
Mayo Clinic/YouTube
25:46
Chapter- 23 of 24 Truncus arteriosus
Echocardiography in Congenital Heart Disease/YouTube
Prenatal ultrasound is an imaging technique that uses high-frequency sound waves to generate images of the fetus. Ultrasounds can be performed at any time; however, they are usually done and are more useful during the first trimester of pregnancy.
Prenatal ultrasound is an imaging technique that uses high-frequency sound waves to generate images of the fetus. Ultrasounds can be performed at any time; however, they are usually done and are more useful during the first trimester of pregnancy.
{"label":"Prenatal Ultrasound Reference Range","scale":"lin","step":0.25,"hideunits":true,"items":[{"flag":"normal","label":{"short":"Normal","long":"Normal","orientation":"horizontal"},"values":{"min":0,"max":1},"text":"If your pregnancy sonogram results were normal, it doesn't guarantee you'll have a healthy baby. No test can do that. But normal results may mean:<br \/>\n* Your baby is growing at a normal rate.<br \/>\n* You have the right amount of amniotic fluid.<br \/>\n* No birth defects were found, though not all birth defects will show up on a sonogram.","conditions":[]},{"flag":"abnormal","label":{"short":"Abnormal","long":"Abnormal","orientation":"horizontal"},"values":{"min":1,"max":2},"text":"If your pregnancy sonogram results were not normal, it doesn't always mean your baby has a serious health problem. Your provider may suggest more tests to help confirm a diagnosis.","conditions":["The baby is not growing at a normal rate","Too much or too little amniotic fluid","Ectopic pregnancy","Miscarriage","Problem with the baby's position in the uterus","Birth defects"]}],"value":0.5}[{"normal":0},{"abnormal":0}]
Use the slider below to see how your results affect your
health.
Your result is Normal.
* Your baby is growing at a normal rate.
* You have the right amount of amniotic fluid.
* No birth defects were found, though not all birth defects will show up on a sonogram.
Related conditions
Prenatal ultrasound is an imaging technique that uses high-frequency sound waves to generate images of the fetus. This test is used for a thorough check of fetal anatomy, growth, and heart rate.
Ultrasounds are usually done in the first trimester, but can be done at any time during pregnancy.
All pregnant women should have at least one ultrasound.
Your first trimester ultrasound is done to confirm the fetal heartbeat; make sure the fetus is implanted in your uterus; check the age, growth, and size of the fetus; identify a multiple pregnancy; and look for major birth defects. Your baby's sex cannot yet be identified at this time.
During the second and third trimesters of your pregnancy, an advanced ultrasound is performed. This ultrasound is very similar to the ultrasound performed in the first trimester, but more sophisticated equipment is used for a thorough check of fetal anatomy, growth, and heart rate.
Advanced ultrasound is also called “anatomy scan” because it looks very thoroughly at different parts of the fetus’s body to see if there are any problems. Internal organs, including the heart, stomach, brain, and spine, are examined. Specific measurements (for example, the crown-to-rump length) are made to make sure the baby is growing normally. The fetal heart rate is noted along with the level of the amniotic fluid and the location of the placenta.
Sex organs are visible now, so be sure and tell the sonographer if you don’t want to know your baby’s gender!
First trimester ultrasounds may be done through the belly or more commonly through the vagina, while second and third trimester ultrasounds are done through the belly.
If done through the belly (abdominal ultrasound), a gel is applied to the area and a handheld transducer is run across your lower abdomen. If done vaginally (transvaginal ultrasound), a wand-shaped transducer is covered with a condom and inserted into your vagina.
Ultrasound exams are noninvasive and are very low risk when used by skilled practitioners.
First Trimester / Dating Ultrasound | Advanced Women's Imaging [accessed on Oct 02, 2018]
http://www.advancedwomensimaging.com.au/second-trimester-morphology-ultrasound [accessed on Jan 24, 2019]
https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/prenatal-ultrasound.html [accessed on Jan 24, 2019]
https://www.webmd.com/baby/ultrasound#1 [accessed on Jan 24, 2019]
Normal reference ranges can vary depending on the laboratory and the method used for testing. You must use the range supplied by the laboratory that performed your test to evaluate whether your results are "within normal limits."
Additional Materials (16)
High Risk Pregnancy: Ultrasound Services
Video by Swedish/YouTube
Prenatal Ultrasound
Video by Washington State Department of Health/YouTube
Getting A Pregnancy Ultrasound | Kaiser Permanente
Video by Kaiser Permanente Thrive/YouTube
3 Questions to ask at your ultrasound | Boston Children's Hospital
Video by Boston Children's Hospital/YouTube
Obstetric ultrasonography
Ultrasound image of fetus at 14 weeks (profile)
Image by X.Compagnion (cropped by Hidro)
Ultrasound Scan ND 1231102308 1028500
A well defined hypoechoic lesion is seen in choroid plexsus. Choroid plexsus cyst. It may regress automatically. Medical ultrasound image. Provided as-is. Please feel free to categorise, add description, crop.
Image by Nevit Dilmen (talk)
Head-3D
Ultrasound to detect possible kidney cysts
Drawing of female health worker giving an ultrasound examination to a female patient. An ultrasound imaging device passes harmless sound waves through the body to detect possible kidney cysts.
Image by NIDDK Image Library
Drawing of a fetus with an enlarged kidney visible, as seen in an ultrasound. The enlarged kidney is labeled
A prenatal ultrasound can show enlarged kidneys, ureters, or bladders in babies.
Image by NIDDK Image Library
PAPP-A: PAPP-A Screening Tests
The PAPP-A screen is administered as a first-trimester screen integrated with an hCG test and nuchal translucency (NT) ultrasound. The test screens for chromosomal abnormalities such as Down syndrome and trisomy 18. The image featured here shows an ultrasound image of a fetus suspected to have down syndrome. The areas of concern are highlighted in yellow.
Image by TheVisualMD
Obstetric ultrasonography
Medical ultrasound examination of a pregnant woman.
Image by Scott
Megacystis
Megacystis in fetus : Ultrasound revealing megacystis in a fetus with Down syndrome.
Image by X.Compagnion
Fetal Ultrasound
Ultrasound image (sonogram) of a fetus in the womb.
Image by BruceBlaus/Wikimedia
Fetal Ultrasound Excess?
Video by Wall Street Journal/YouTube
Understanding your fetal ultrasound
Video by UTSWMed/YouTube
Fetal Diagnosis of Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH) (2 of 11)
Video by The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia/YouTube
2:58
High Risk Pregnancy: Ultrasound Services
Swedish/YouTube
4:00
Prenatal Ultrasound
Washington State Department of Health/YouTube
1:10
Getting A Pregnancy Ultrasound | Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente Thrive/YouTube
1:26
3 Questions to ask at your ultrasound | Boston Children's Hospital
Boston Children's Hospital/YouTube
Obstetric ultrasonography
X.Compagnion (cropped by Hidro)
Ultrasound Scan ND 1231102308 1028500
Nevit Dilmen (talk)
Head-3D
Ultrasound to detect possible kidney cysts
NIDDK Image Library
Drawing of a fetus with an enlarged kidney visible, as seen in an ultrasound. The enlarged kidney is labeled
NIDDK Image Library
PAPP-A: PAPP-A Screening Tests
TheVisualMD
Obstetric ultrasonography
Scott
Megacystis
X.Compagnion
Fetal Ultrasound
BruceBlaus/Wikimedia
2:46
Fetal Ultrasound Excess?
Wall Street Journal/YouTube
4:54
Understanding your fetal ultrasound
UTSWMed/YouTube
7:36
Fetal Diagnosis of Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH) (2 of 11)
The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia/YouTube
Electrocardiogram
Electrocardiogram
Also called: EKG, ECG
An electrocardiogram (EKG) is a test that measures electrical signals in your heart. An abnormal EKG can be a sign of heart damage or disease.
Electrocardiogram
Also called: EKG, ECG
An electrocardiogram (EKG) is a test that measures electrical signals in your heart. An abnormal EKG can be a sign of heart damage or disease.
{"label":"Electrocardiogram Reference Range","scale":"lin","step":0.25,"hideunits":true,"items":[{"flag":"normal","label":{"short":"Normal","long":"Normal","orientation":"horizontal"},"values":{"min":0,"max":1},"text":"EKG results are normal with a consistent heartbeat and rhythm. ","conditions":[]},{"flag":"abnormal","label":{"short":"Abnormal","long":"Abnormal","orientation":"horizontal"},"values":{"min":1,"max":2},"text":"The EKG identified an abnormal heart rhythm.","conditions":["Arrhythmia","Tachycardia","Bradycardia","Myocardial ischemia","Aneurysm","Atherosclerosis","Heart attack"]}],"value":0.5}[{"normal":0},{"abnormal":0}]
Use the slider below to see how your results affect your
health.
Your result is Normal.
EKG results are normal with a consistent heartbeat and rhythm.
Related conditions
An electrocardiogram (EKG) test is a simple, painless, and quick test that records your heart's electrical activity. Each time your heart beats, an electrical signal travels through your heart. The signal triggers your heart's four chambers to contract (squeeze) in the proper rhythm so that your heart can pump blood to your body.
An EKG recording of these signals looks like wavy lines. Your provider can read these lines to look for abnormal heart activity that may be a sign of heart disease or damage.
An EKG can show:
How fast your heart is beating
Whether the rhythm of your heartbeat is steady or irregular
The strength and timing of the electrical signals passing through each part of your heart
Sometimes information from an EKG can help measure the size and position of your heart's chambers.
An EKG is often the first test you'll have if you have signs of a heart condition. It may be done in your provider's office, an outpatient clinic, in a hospital before surgery, or as part of another heart test called a stress test.
An EKG test is also called an ECG. EKG is based on the German spelling, elektrokardiogramm. EKG may be preferred over ECG to avoid confusion with an EEG, a test that measures brain waves.
An EKG test is used to help diagnose and monitor many types of heart conditions and their treatment. These conditions include:
Arrhythmia
Cardiomyopathy
Coronary artery disease
Heart attack
Heart failure
Heart valve diseases
Congenital heart defects
EKG tests are mainly used for people who have symptoms of a heart condition or have already been diagnosed with a heart condition. They are not generally used to screen people who don't have symptoms unless they have an increased risk of developing heart disease. Your provider can explain your risk for heart disease and let you know if need to have an EKG test. In certain cases, your provider may have you see a cardiologist, a doctor who specializes in heart diseases.
You may need an EKG test if you have symptoms of a heart condition, including:
Chest pain
Rapid or irregular heartbeat
Shortness of breath
Dizziness
Fatigue
A decrease in your ability to exercise
You may also need an EKG to:
Find out if you had a heart attack in the past but didn't know it
Monitor your heart if you have a known heart condition
Check how well your heart treatment is working, including medicine and/or a pacemaker
Check your heart health:
Before having surgery
If you have an increased risk for developing heart disease because:
Heart disease runs in your family
You have another condition, such as diabetes, that makes your risk higher than normal
An EKG test only takes a few minutes. It generally includes these steps:
You will lie on an exam table.
A provider will place several electrodes (small sensors that stick to your skin) on your arms, legs, and chest. The provider may need to shave body hair to make sure the electrodes stay on.
The electrodes are attached by wires to a computer or a special EKG machine
You will lie very still while your heart's electrical activity is recorded on a computer or printed on paper by an EKG machine.
You don't need any special preparations for an EKG test.
There is very little risk to having an EKG. You may feel a little discomfort or skin irritation after the electrodes are removed. The EKG doesn't send any electricity to your body. It only records electrical signals from your heart, so there's no risk of electric shock.
Your provider will check your EKG results for a steady heartbeat and rhythm. If your results are not normal, it may be a sign of a heart condition. The specific condition depends on which part of your EKG wasn't normal.
You may need to have other heart health tests before your provider can make a diagnosis. Your provider can explain what your test results mean for your heart health and treatment.
An EKG is a "snapshot" of your heart's activity over a very short time. If you have heart symptoms that come and go, a regular EKG may not catch the problem. In that case, your provider may recommend that you wear a small portable EKG monitor that can record your heart for days or longer while you do your normal activities. You may also need a longer EKG recording if your provider wants to check how well your heart is working after a heart attack or to see if treatment is helping you.
There are many types of long-term EKG monitors. The two main groups are Holter monitors, which can be worn for up to two days, and event monitors, which may record your heart activity for weeks to years depending on the type.
A Holter monitor is about the size of a small camera. You usually wear it on a belt or strap around your neck for a day or two. Wires under your clothes attach to electrodes that stick to your chest. The monitor records your heart's electrical signals the whole time you're wearing it. You may be asked to keep a diary of your symptoms during the test period. After the test period, you remove the monitor and return it according to the instructions. A provider will review the recording of your heart's electrical activity from the monitor.
An event monitor records your heart's electrical activity when you press a button or when the device detects abnormal heart activity. There two main types of event monitors:
Event monitors that you wear or carry with you. You wear some monitors on your chest or wrist. Other monitors are designed to carry. If you have symptoms, you hold the monitor to your chest. These event monitors may be used for weeks to months. Some of them wirelessly transmit information about your heart to a provider. Others must be returned so a provider can examine the recorded information.
Event monitors that are inserted under the skin of your chest. These are called implantable event monitors. They are put under your skin during minor surgery that's often done in a doctor's office. These monitors can track your heart's electrical activity for years. You may need this type of EKG monitor if you had a stroke or frequent fainting, and your provider hasn't found the cause. Implantable monitors wirelessly transmit the information they record so your provider can regularly check it.
Electrocardiogram: MedlinePlus Medical Test [accessed on Mar 09, 2023]
Electrocardiogram: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia [accessed on Feb 04, 2019]
Normal reference ranges can vary depending on the laboratory and the method used for testing. You must use the range supplied by the laboratory that performed your test to evaluate whether your results are "within normal limits."
Additional Materials (35)
How to Read an Electrocardiogram (ECG): Introduction – Cardiology | Lecturio
Video by Lecturio Medical/YouTube
Major Types of Heart Block
Video by Jeff Otjen/YouTube
How An ECG Works
Video by LivingHealthyChicago/YouTube
This browser does not support the video element.
What are Arrhythmias?
Your heart is electric. In this video you'll see how your heart's electrical system works, and what happens when it malfunctions. Voyage inside the human body as Dr. Mehmet Oz and others explain the dangers of heart arrhythmias, including tachycardia, bradycardia, and atrial fibrillation.
Video by TheVisualMD
12 Lead ECG Explained, Animation
Video by Alila Medical Media/YouTube
Bundle Branch Block, Animation.
Video by Alila Medical Media/YouTube
QRS Transitional Zone. See link for real voice update in description!
Video by Alila Medical Media/YouTube
ECG Interpretation Basics - ST Segment Changes. See link for real voice update in description!
Video by Alila Medical Media/YouTube
Cardiac Axis Interpretation. See link for real voice update in description!
Video by Alila Medical Media/YouTube
Electrical system of the heart | Circulatory system physiology | NCLEX-RN | Khan Academy
Video by khanacademymedicine/YouTube
Cardiovascular | EKG Basics
Video by Ninja Nerd/YouTube
Cardiovascular | EKG's
Video by Ninja Nerd/YouTube
Normal sinus rhythm on an EKG | Circulatory System and Disease | NCLEX-RN | Khan Academy
Video by khanacademymedicine/YouTube
Cardiac Conduction System and Understanding ECG, Animation.
Video by Alila Medical Media/YouTube
Willem Einthoven and the ECG - Stuff of Genius
Video by Stuff of Genius - HowStuffWorks/YouTube
Electrocardiogram (ECG)
A useful tool for determining whether a person has heart disease, an electrocardiogram (ECG) is a test that records the electrical activity of the heart. An ECG, which is painless (no electricity is sent through the body), is used to measure damage to the heart, how fast the heart is beating and whether it is beating normally, the effects of drugs or devices used to control the heart (such as a pacemaker), and the size and position of the heart chambers.
Image by TheVisualMD
Cardiac cycle
Cardiac Cycle vs Electrocardiogram
Image by OpenStax College
Medical Checkups
Image by TheVisualMD
Electrocardiogram
Electrocardiograms (EKGs) are the most commonly given test used to diagnose coronary artery disease. They record the heart's electrical activity and show evidence of angina or heart attack.
Image by TheVisualMD
electrocardiogram-illustration made up from Medications
A normal tracing shows the P wave, QRS complex, and T wave. Also indicated are the PR, QT, QRS, and ST intervals, plus the P-R and S-T segments.
Image by CNX Openstax
What To Expect After an Electrocardiogram
Normal ECG/EKG complex with labels
Image by Derivative: Hazmat2 Original: Hank van Helvete
Cardiac Stress Test
The image shows a patient having a stress test. Electrodes are attached to the patient's chest and connected to an EKG (electrocardiogram) machine. The EKG records the heart's electrical activity. A blood pressure cuff is used to record the patient's blood pressure while he walks on a treadmill.
Image by National Heart Lung and Blood Institute
Relationship between the Cardiac Cycle and ECG
Initially, both the atria and ventricles are relaxed (diastole). The P wave represents depolarization of the atria and is followed by atrial contraction (systole). Atrial systole extends until the QRS complex, at which point, the atria relax. The QRS complex represents depolarization of the ventricles and is followed by ventricular contraction. The T wave represents the repolarization of the ventricles and marks the beginning of ventricular relaxation.
Image by CNX Openstax
The Electric Heart
Image by TheVisualMD
Electrocardiogram (EKG)
Electrocardiogram (EKG) is a test used to measure the electrical activity of the heart.
Image by U.S. National Library of Medicine
Comparison of Arrhythmia and Normal ECG
As the muscle tissue in an overstressed heart expands, it tears and scars. The resulting tissue - hardened and marred - does not conduct electricity well. The result is that the system can no longer be relied on to deliver the carefully synchronized pattern of jolts needed to keep the heart pumping smoothly. Doctors call it \"arrhythmia.\" The heart is literally \"skipping a beat.\" This can be measured by an electrocardiogram (ECG). In some cases, arrhythmia can mean simply that the heartbeat is too fast or too slow - a bothersome but not necessarily life-threatening condition. In the worst cases, the arrhythmia indicates a potentially lethal instability in the heart's electric system. The signals that control the heart's contractions get crossed and the heart spasms. If not corrected immediately, this fibrillation of the heart is often fatal. In the U.S., more than 1,000 people die every day from sudden cardiac death, or cardiac arrest.
Image by TheVisualMD
Heart Revealing Chamber and Valve
Your heart beats faster or slower depending on information from your brain, which monitors your body's need for blood. However, the basic rhythm of your heart is automatic; it does not depend on signals from your brain. Your heart cells can generate their own electrical signals, which trigger the contractions and cause the entire heart to pump in synchrony. A specialized bundle of muscle and nerve cells called the sinoatrial node (SA node) sits at the top of the right atrium and is the pacemaker of the heart. It generates the signal for the atria to contract and send blood to the ventricles. A similar node - the atrioventricular or AV node - sits at the atrioventricular septum near the bottom of the right atrium and relays the signal from the SA node to the ventricles to contract and pump blood out of the heart. An electrocardiogram (ECG) measures the electrical signals given off by these two nodes and their conduction through the heart. By looking at the frequency and the height of the peaks and valleys of these signals on an ECG, healthcare professionals get a very good idea of how well the electrical system of your heart is working.
Image by TheVisualMD
Electrocardigram
An electrocardiogram (EKG) detects and records the heart's electrical activity. When the electrical impulse passes through the atria a small peak is recorded (P), followed by a steep spike as it erupts through the ventricles (R), and then another small peak (T) as the wave passes through and the heart repolarizes (recharges) itself for the next beat.
Image by TheVisualMD
Electro- cardiogram
Electrocardiograms, or EKGs, record the electrical activity of the heart. Since injured heart muscle conducts electrical impulses abnormally, the EKG shows if the patient has had or is having a heart attack. It is usually the first test performed.
Image by TheVisualMD
SinusRhythmLabels
Schematic diagram of normal sinus rhythm for a human heart as seen on ECG. In atrial fibrillation, however, the P waves, which represent depolarization of the atria, are absent.
Image by Agateller (Anthony Atkielski)
How To Use an Automated External Defibrillator
The image shows a typical setup using an automated external defibrillator (AED). The AED has step-by-step instructions and voice prompts that enable an untrained bystander to correctly use the machine.
Image by National Heart Lung and Blood Institute
Who Needs an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator?
Lead II (2) ECG EKG strip of an AICD ICD converting a patient back into thier baseline cardiac ryhthm. The AICD fires near the end of the strip, where the straight line is seen.
Image by Public Domain
Cardiac Cycle
CG Animated Human Heart cut section showing the atria, ventricles and valves, synced with wiggers diagram.
Image by DrJanaOfficial/Wikimedia
Mammalian Heart and Blood Vessels
The beating of the heart is regulated by an electrical impulse that causes the characteristic reading of an ECG. The signal is initiated at the sinoatrial valve. The signal then (a) spreads to the atria, causing them to contract. The signal is (b) delayed at the atrioventricular node before it is passed on to the (c) heart apex. The delay allows the atria to relax before the (d) ventricles contract. The final part of the ECG cycle prepares the heart for the next beat.
Image by CNX Openstax
9:53
How to Read an Electrocardiogram (ECG): Introduction – Cardiology | Lecturio
Lecturio Medical/YouTube
9:23
Major Types of Heart Block
Jeff Otjen/YouTube
2:45
How An ECG Works
LivingHealthyChicago/YouTube
3:27
What are Arrhythmias?
TheVisualMD
3:27
12 Lead ECG Explained, Animation
Alila Medical Media/YouTube
3:48
Bundle Branch Block, Animation.
Alila Medical Media/YouTube
3:50
QRS Transitional Zone. See link for real voice update in description!
Alila Medical Media/YouTube
1:24
ECG Interpretation Basics - ST Segment Changes. See link for real voice update in description!
Alila Medical Media/YouTube
3:32
Cardiac Axis Interpretation. See link for real voice update in description!
Alila Medical Media/YouTube
9:43
Electrical system of the heart | Circulatory system physiology | NCLEX-RN | Khan Academy
khanacademymedicine/YouTube
52:29
Cardiovascular | EKG Basics
Ninja Nerd/YouTube
20:37
Cardiovascular | EKG's
Ninja Nerd/YouTube
8:53
Normal sinus rhythm on an EKG | Circulatory System and Disease | NCLEX-RN | Khan Academy
khanacademymedicine/YouTube
3:45
Cardiac Conduction System and Understanding ECG, Animation.
Alila Medical Media/YouTube
1:46
Willem Einthoven and the ECG - Stuff of Genius
Stuff of Genius - HowStuffWorks/YouTube
Electrocardiogram (ECG)
TheVisualMD
Cardiac cycle
OpenStax College
Medical Checkups
TheVisualMD
Electrocardiogram
TheVisualMD
electrocardiogram-illustration made up from Medications
GDJ
Electrocardiogram
CNX Openstax
What To Expect After an Electrocardiogram
Derivative: Hazmat2 Original: Hank van Helvete
Cardiac Stress Test
National Heart Lung and Blood Institute
Relationship between the Cardiac Cycle and ECG
CNX Openstax
The Electric Heart
TheVisualMD
Electrocardiogram (EKG)
U.S. National Library of Medicine
Comparison of Arrhythmia and Normal ECG
TheVisualMD
Heart Revealing Chamber and Valve
TheVisualMD
Electrocardigram
TheVisualMD
Electro- cardiogram
TheVisualMD
SinusRhythmLabels
Agateller (Anthony Atkielski)
How To Use an Automated External Defibrillator
National Heart Lung and Blood Institute
Who Needs an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator?
Public Domain
Cardiac Cycle
DrJanaOfficial/Wikimedia
Mammalian Heart and Blood Vessels
CNX Openstax
Pulse Oximetry Test
Pulse Oximetry Test
Also called: Pulse Ox, Oxygen Saturation Monitor, Oxygen Saturation by Pulse Oximetry, Peripheral Oxygen Saturation, SpO2, Finger Pulse Oximeter
Pulse oximetry is a quick and painless test that measures blood oxygen levels. Your organs need a steady supply of blood oxygen to work properly. This test can help people with serious or chronic lung disease get quick treatment if their oxygen level gets too low.
Pulse Oximetry Test
Also called: Pulse Ox, Oxygen Saturation Monitor, Oxygen Saturation by Pulse Oximetry, Peripheral Oxygen Saturation, SpO2, Finger Pulse Oximeter
Pulse oximetry is a quick and painless test that measures blood oxygen levels. Your organs need a steady supply of blood oxygen to work properly. This test can help people with serious or chronic lung disease get quick treatment if their oxygen level gets too low.
{"label":"Pulse Oximetry Reference Range","scale":"lin","step":0.1,"hideunits":false,"units":[{"printSymbol":"%","code":"%","name":"percent"}],"items":[{"flag":"abnormal","label":{"short":"Low","long":"Low","orientation":"vertical"},"values":{"min":0,"max":92},"text":"Oxygen levels below the normal values indicate hypoxemia. The lower the oxygen level, the more severe the hypoxemia.","conditions":["Asthma","Heart diseases, including congenital heart disease","High altitude","Anemia","Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)","Interstitial lung disease","Emphysema","Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)","Pneumonia","Obstruction of an artery in the lung","Pulmonary fibrosis or scarring and damage to the lungs","Presence of air or gas in the chest","Excess fluid in the lungs","Sleep apnea","Certain medications"]},{"flag":"borderline","label":{"short":"Equivocal","long":"Equivocal","orientation":"vertical"},"values":{"min":92,"max":95},"text":"At rest, blood oxygen should be at least 92% or higher.","conditions":[]},{"flag":"normal","label":{"short":"Normal","long":"Normal","orientation":"vertical"},"values":{"min":95,"max":100},"text":"In healthy people, the oxygen level runs between 95-100%.","conditions":[]}],"value":97.5}[{"abnormal":0},{"borderline":0},{"normal":0}]
Use the slider below to see how your results affect your
health.
%
92
95
Your result is Normal.
In healthy people, the oxygen level runs between 95-100%.
Related conditions
Pulse oximetry is a test that uses a small, clip-like device called a pulse oximeter to measure oxygen levels in the blood. When you breathe, your lungs take in oxygen and send it into your bloodstream. This oxygen-rich blood is carried into your heart, which pumps it to the rest of your body. If your blood oxygen level (oxygen saturation) is too low, it can make it hard for your body to work properly. It can put a dangerous strain on your vital organs.
Pulse oximetry is a painless and quick way to find out if your oxygen level is too low. Quick treatment of low blood oxygen may help you avoid serious complications.
Pulse oximetry is used to check your blood oxygen level. The test may be done in a provider's office, clinic, hospital, or even your own home. An at-home pulse oximeter may be useful if you have a serious and/or chronic lung disease.
Your provider may give you a pulse-oximetry test as part of a routine checkup, or if you:
Have a condition that affects lung function. These include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer, heart failure, and COVID-19.
Are taking medicine to treat lung disease. The test can show how well the medicine is working.
Are having surgery. Your blood oxygen level may be checked before, during, and after your procedure.
Have sleep apnea. This condition causes you to briefly stop breathing during sleep. You may have repeated episodes of breathing interruptions during a single night's sleep There can be as many as 30 episodes per hour.
During pulse oximetry:
A small electronic device called a pulse oximeter will be clipped to a part of your body, usually a fingertip.
The oximeter uses a special type of light that passes through your skin and into your blood.
A sensor on the oximeter measures the amount of light. That measurement is used to figure out your blood oxygen level.
After a few seconds, the oximeter will provide a readout of your heart rate and oxygen level.
If you have a condition that affects lung function, your health care provider may recommend you use an at-home finger pulse oximeter or other oximeter to monitor your condition. Your provider will guide you on how to purchase and use your at-home device.
If you or your provider is using a finger pulse oximeter, you should remove any fingernail polish. Nail polish can block the light emitted from the oximeter.
There is no known risk to having pulse oximetry.
Results are often given as oxygen saturation levels. A normal oxygen saturation level ranges between 95 percent and 100 percent. Saturation levels may be somewhat lower and considered acceptable if you have a lung disease such as COPD or pneumonia. Levels may also be lower if you live in an area with higher elevation.
If you are using an at-home oximeter, you should contact your health care provider if your oxygen saturation level is 92 percent or lower. If it falls to 88 percent or lower, seek immediate medical attention.
If you have questions about your results, talk to your health care provider.
Pulse oximetry results may be 2 to 4 percent higher or lower than your actual blood oxygen level. For a more accurate result, your provider may do a blood test called an arterial blood gas.
But this test can be painful. It also cannot be used at home or for continuous monitoring. You may need both types of tests to manage your condition.
http://dodd.ohio.gov/HealthandSafety/Documents/Cat1O2SaturationMonitorHRAOCT2017.pdf [accessed on Dec 18, 2018]
https://www.thoracic.org/patients/patient-resources/resources/pulse-oximetry.pdf [accessed on Dec 18, 2018]
Pulse Oximetry - Health Encyclopedia - University of Rochester Medical Center [accessed on Dec 18, 2018]
He pushed for pulse ox screening. Then his grandson’s pulse ox level was dangerously low. | American Heart Association [accessed on Dec 18, 2018]
Pulse Oximetry & O2 Saturation: What Do You Need to Know? | Inogen [accessed on Dec 18, 2018]
Normal reference ranges can vary depending on the laboratory and the method used for testing. You must use the range supplied by the laboratory that performed your test to evaluate whether your results are "within normal limits."
Additional Materials (16)
Pulse, Hand, Health Care Providers
Image by backy3723/Pixabay
Blood circulation: Red = oxygenated (arteries), Blue = deoxygenated (veins)
Oximetry - Blood circulation: Red = oxygenated (arteries), Blue = deoxygenated (veins)
Image by User:Sansculotte
Evolution of the Pulse Oximeter
Video by NHLBI/Vimeo
How To: Check Your Pulse
Video by Baylor College of Medicine/YouTube
The Fitness Model Without a Pulse
Video by Great Big Story/YouTube
Vital Signs- For Beginners
Video by Stephanie Rodriguez/YouTube
"Pulse Oximetry" by Traci Wolbrink, MD, MPH for OPENPediatrics
Video by OPENPediatrics/YouTube
Pulse Oximeter | How to Use It? How does Pulse Oximetry Work?
Video by Respiratory Therapy Zone/YouTube
Clinical Skills: Pulse oximetry
Video by Osmosis/YouTube
Pulse Oximetry NEJM
Video by បូ សុធា/YouTube
Oxygen Content and Oxygen Saturation
Video by Medicosis Perfectionalis/YouTube
Measuring oxygenation in poorly perfused patients
Video by Philips Healthcare/YouTube
Pulse Oximetry for Newborns
Video by Lee Health/YouTube
OxyWatch C20 Pulse Oximeter
A finger mounted pulse oximeter with pulse bar taking measurement through the fingernail.
Image by Thinkpaul/Wikimedia
Pulse oximetry spectrum
Hemoglobin absorbance spectrum in pulse oximetry
Image by Paweł Ziemian/Wikimedia
Pulse Ox, Oximetry, Oxygenation
Image by kkirkemtp/Pixabay
Pulse, Hand, Health Care Providers
backy3723/Pixabay
Blood circulation: Red = oxygenated (arteries), Blue = deoxygenated (veins)
User:Sansculotte
6:42
Evolution of the Pulse Oximeter
NHLBI/Vimeo
2:48
How To: Check Your Pulse
Baylor College of Medicine/YouTube
2:24
The Fitness Model Without a Pulse
Great Big Story/YouTube
3:20
Vital Signs- For Beginners
Stephanie Rodriguez/YouTube
16:07
"Pulse Oximetry" by Traci Wolbrink, MD, MPH for OPENPediatrics
OPENPediatrics/YouTube
10:25
Pulse Oximeter | How to Use It? How does Pulse Oximetry Work?
Respiratory Therapy Zone/YouTube
4:12
Clinical Skills: Pulse oximetry
Osmosis/YouTube
16:06
Pulse Oximetry NEJM
បូ សុធា/YouTube
13:30
Oxygen Content and Oxygen Saturation
Medicosis Perfectionalis/YouTube
6:46
Measuring oxygenation in poorly perfused patients
Philips Healthcare/YouTube
1:53
Pulse Oximetry for Newborns
Lee Health/YouTube
OxyWatch C20 Pulse Oximeter
Thinkpaul/Wikimedia
Pulse oximetry spectrum
Paweł Ziemian/Wikimedia
Pulse Ox, Oximetry, Oxygenation
kkirkemtp/Pixabay
Newborn Pulse Oximetry Screening
Newborn Pulse Oximetry Screening
Also called: CCHD Newborn Screening, Newborn Screening for CCHD, Pulse Oximetry Screening for CCHD, Pulse Oximetry Screening of Newborns
Pulse oximetry screening uses a sensor to determine if your baby might have certain heart conditions called critical congenital heart disease (CCHD). CCHD is a group of serious heart conditions present at birth. Children with CCHD have any of a wide range of heart problems that arise when parts of the heart do not form correctly.
Newborn Pulse Oximetry Screening
Also called: CCHD Newborn Screening, Newborn Screening for CCHD, Pulse Oximetry Screening for CCHD, Pulse Oximetry Screening of Newborns
Pulse oximetry screening uses a sensor to determine if your baby might have certain heart conditions called critical congenital heart disease (CCHD). CCHD is a group of serious heart conditions present at birth. Children with CCHD have any of a wide range of heart problems that arise when parts of the heart do not form correctly.
{"label":"Pulse oximetry screening reference range","scale":"lin","step":0.1,"hideunits":false,"items":[{"flag":"normal","label":{"short":"Pass","long":"Pass","orientation":"horizontal"},"values":{"min":0,"max":50},"text":"A pass result means that your baby had in-range blood oxygen levels at the time of screening. Babies with pass results do not need more testing. <br \/>\n<br \/>\nHowever, pulse oximetry screening only detects certain types of heart problems. It does not find all heart problems. Babies who develop any health problems, especially trouble breathing, changes in energy level, or trouble eating, need more testing\u2014even if their pulse oximetry screening results were in-range.","conditions":[]},{"flag":"abnormal","label":{"short":"Fail (Nonpassing)","long":"Fail (Nonpassing)","orientation":"horizontal"},"values":{"min":50,"max":100},"text":"A fail (also called nonpassing) result means that your baby had low oxygen levels at the time of screening. Babies with fail results need more testing to determine why their oxygen levels are low.<br \/>\n<br \/>\nNot every baby with a fail result has CCHD. A baby can have low oxygen levels for other reasons, like general breathing problems, infections, or minor heart problems.","conditions":["Critical congenital heart disease","Congenital heart disease","Lung problems in newborns","Infections"]}],"units":[{"printSymbol":"%{saturation}","code":"%{saturation}","name":"percent saturation"}],"value":25,"disclaimer":"Normal reference ranges can vary depending on the laboratory and the method used for testing. You must use the range supplied by the laboratory that performed your test to evaluate whether your results are \"within normal limits.\""}[{"normal":0},{"abnormal":0}]
Use the slider below to see how your results affect your
health.
%{saturation}
50
Your result is Pass.
However, pulse oximetry screening only detects certain types of heart problems. It does not find all heart problems. Babies who develop any health problems, especially trouble breathing, changes in energy level, or trouble eating, need more testing—even if their pulse oximetry screening results were in-range.
Related conditions
Newborn screening for critical CHDs involves a simple bedside test called pulse oximetry. This test estimates the amount of oxygen in a baby’s blood. Low levels of oxygen in the blood can be a sign of a critical CHD. The test is done using a machine called a pulse oximeter, with sensors placed on the baby’s skin. The test is painless and takes only a few minutes.
CCHD is a group of serious heart conditions present at birth. Children with CCHD have any of a wide range of heart problems that arise when parts of the heart do not form correctly.
In some forms of CCHD, the heart has trouble delivering oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. Babies with these forms of CCHD have low levels of oxygen in their blood. Measuring your baby’s blood oxygen level can help see if your baby needs urgent heart treatment.
Some babies born with a critical CHD appear healthy at first, and they may be sent home before their heart defect is detected. These babies are at risk of having serious complications within the first few days or weeks of life, and often require emergency care. Newborn screening is a tool that can identify some of these babies so they can receive prompt care and treatment. Timely care may prevent disability or death early in life.
Following is a step-by-step guide explaining how pulse oximetry screening happens:
Between 24 and 48 hours after birth, a health care provider will tell you that it is time for your newborn’s pulse oximetry screening.
The health care provider will place a small wrap on your baby’s skin, usually around the right hand or wrist and on either foot. One side of the wrap has a light, and the other has a sensor.
The health care provider will connect the wrap to a monitor that uses the sensor’s reading to calculate how much oxygen is in your baby’s blood. Using the numbers on this monitor, the health care provider can tell whether your baby might have CCHD.
Babies who do not pass pulse oximetry screening the first time may repeat it or may need further testing.
Results from pulse oximetry screening are ready as soon as the screening is done.
No special preparations are necessary. Your baby must be at least 24 hours of age to allow his or her lungs and heart to adapt to life outside the womb.
No risks are associated with this test.
Pulse oximetry screening is most likely to detect seven of the critical CHDs. These seven defects are hypoplastic left heart syndrome, pulmonary atresia, tetralogy of Fallot, total anomalous pulmonary venous return, transposition of the great arteries, tricuspid atresia, and truncus arteriosus. Other heart defects can be just as severe as these seven and also require treatment soon after birth. However, pulse oximetry screening may not detect these heart defects as consistently as the seven listed above.
Pass
If the baby passes the screen (also called “negative” or “in-range” result), it means that the baby’s test results did not show signs of a low level of oxygen in the blood. A baby that passes the screen is unlikely to have a critical CHD. However, not all babies with a critical CHD will have a low level of oxygen in the blood that is detected during newborn screening. Thus, it is possible for a baby who passes the screen to still have a critical CHD or other CHD.
Fail
If the baby fails the screen (also known as “positive” or “out-of-range” result), it means that the baby’s test results showed low levels of oxygen in the blood, which could be a sign of a critical CHD. This does not always mean that the baby has a critical CHD but could mean that more testing is needed. There may be other causes, such as breathing problems, for low levels of oxygen in the blood. The baby’s doctor might recommend that the baby get screened again or have more specific tests, like an echocardiogram (an ultrasound picture of the heart), to diagnose a critical CHD.
Your baby’s health care provider will help decide what test(s) your baby needs.
Pulse oximetry screening does not replace a complete history and physical examination, which sometimes can detect a critical CHD before oxygen levels in the blood become low. Pulse oximetry screening, therefore, should be used along with the physical examination.
Critical Congenital Heart Defects | CDC. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Jan 7, 2020 [accessed on Dec 13, 2023]
Newborn Screening Process | Newborn Screening. Dec 11, 2023 [accessed on Dec 13, 2023]
Critical congenital heart disease | Baby's First Test | Newborn Screening | Baby Health [accessed on Mar 25, 2019]
Newborn Pulse Oximetry Screening to Detect Critical Congenital Heart Disease - HealthyChildren.org [accessed on Mar 25, 2019]
Treatment
Transposition of great arteries
Image by BruceBlaus
Transposition of great arteries
A medical illustration depicting the transposition of great arteries.
Image by BruceBlaus
Dextro-Transposition of the Great Arteries (D-TGA) - Treatment
Surgery is required for all babies born with d-TGA. Other procedures may be done before surgery in order to maintain, enlarge or create openings that will allow oxygen-rich blood to get out to the body.
There are two types of surgery to repair d-TGA:
Arterial Switch Operation: This is the most common procedure and it is usually done in the first month of life. It restores usual blood flow through the heart and out to the rest of the body. During this surgery, the arteries are switched to their usual positions—the pulmonary artery arising from the right ventricle and the aorta from the left ventricle. The coronary arteries (small arteries that provide blood to the heart muscle) also must be moved and reattached to the aorta.
Atrial Switch Operation: This procedure is less commonly performed. During this surgery, the arteries are left in place, but a tunnel (baffle) is created between the top chambers (atria) of the heart. This tunnel allows oxygen-poor blood to move from the right atrium to the left ventricle and out the pulmonary artery to the lungs. Returning oxygen-rich blood moves through the tunnel from the left atrium to the right ventricle and out the aorta to the body. Although this repair helps blood to go to the lungs and then out to the body, it also makes extra work for the right ventricle to pump blood to the entire body. Therefore, this repair can lead to difficulties later in life.
After surgery, medications may be needed to help the heart pump better, control blood pressure, help get rid of extra fluid in the body, and slow down the heart if it is beating too fast. If the heart is beating too slowly, a pacemaker can be used.
Infants who have these surgeries are not cured; they may have lifelong complications. A child or adult with d-TGA will need regular follow-up visits with a cardiologist (a heart doctor) to monitor their progress and avoid complications or other health problems. With proper treatment, most babies with d-TGA grow up to lead healthy, productive lives.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Inheritance
Genetics and Inheritance
Image by TheVisualMD
Genetics and Inheritance
Infant and his chromosomes
Image by TheVisualMD
Can Transposition of the Great Arteries Be Familial?
In most cases of TGA, only one family member is affected. The findings of some studies have suggested that TGA is a sporadic defect, while other studies have found that the risk for TGA to occur in a sibling of an affected individual is in the range of 0.2% - 1.4%. The authors in one particular study published in The Lancet found that TGA recurred in siblings, in first cousins, and in an uncle and nephew. Another study from 2001 in the journal Circulation also showed that TGA is not always sporadic in families, and the authors stated that their findings support monogenic (single gene) or oligogenic (multiple genes) inheritance of TGA in certain families. They also observed the occurrence of complete TGA and congenitally corrected TGA among first-degree relatives in several different families, suggesting an underlying causative link between these 2 malformations.
Source: Genetic and Rare Diseases (GARD) Information Center
Additional Materials (3)
Inheritance - Human Heart and DNA
Congenital Heart Defects
Image by TheVisualMD
inheritance
A cartoon image of two humans, male and female with the expected chances of their children's gene inheritance.
Image by Mark v1.0
Transposition of great arteries | Circulatory System and Disease | NCLEX-RN | Khan Academy
Video by khanacademymedicine/YouTube
Inheritance - Human Heart and DNA
TheVisualMD
inheritance
Mark v1.0
5:18
Transposition of great arteries | Circulatory System and Disease | NCLEX-RN | Khan Academy
khanacademymedicine/YouTube
Complications
Rafi, who was suffering from a rare congenital heart condition called transposition of the great arteries
Image by Sgt. Breanne Pye
Rafi, who was suffering from a rare congenital heart condition called transposition of the great arteries
Spc. Samantha Romero, combat medic assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Special Troops Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, shows Rafi his new Chemlite mobile, handmade by 'Raider' medics at the Camp Nathan Smith Medical Aid Station Sept. 15, 2010. Shortly after she arrived in Afghanistan, Romero, a native of Madison, Wis., was working night shift at the Camp Nathan Smith medical clinic when a local family came into the clinic seeking care for their young son, Rafi, who was suffering from a rare congenital heart condition called transposition of the great arteries. After giving birth to her son and undergoing a double mastectomy, Romero waived reconstructive surgery, as well as postpartum recovery in order to deploy with her unit.
Image by Sgt. Breanne Pye
What Is Congenitally Corrected Transposition of the Great Arteries?
Congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries is a rare heart defect that occurs when the ventricles and attached valves are switched. As a result, the aorta and the pulmonary artery are connected to the wrong lower heart chambers.
While the oxygen-poor blood still flows to the lungs, and oxygen-rich blood still flows out to nourish the body, other heart problems (such as septal defects, pulmonary stenosis, tricuspid regurgitation, and heart block) are often associated with this defect and require treatment.
Source: Genetic and Rare Diseases (GARD) Information Center
Additional Materials (2)
Arterial switch
Illustration of Arterial Switch Operation
Image by BruceBlaus
Congenitally Corrected Transposition of the Great Arteries (CCTGA)
Video by iHeartChange/YouTube
Arterial switch
BruceBlaus
3:03
Congenitally Corrected Transposition of the Great Arteries (CCTGA)
Send this HealthJournal to your friends or across your social medias.
Transposition of the Great Arteries
Transposition of the great arteries (TGA) is a type of congenital heart defect in which there is a reversal of the normal connections of the aorta and the pulmonary artery with the heart.