Causes and risk factors
TA is a congenital heart disease [CHD]. Accompanied VSD causes mixing of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood which increases the load on heart. This blood goes to lungs and to the entire body. Too much blood circulation in the lungs increases pulmonary blood flow causing lung congestion and symptoms of pulmonary hypertension .Risk factors responsible for the TA are age of mother [above 40], maternal nutrition, alcoholism, smoking, gestational diabetes, viral disease during pregnancy like rubella, family history of CHD, certain medications taken during pregnancy and the newborn with genetic disorders like down’s syndrome.
Clinical presentation
Laboured feeding, the child tires easily, has shortness of breath, and has heavy or rapid breathing, has a poor appetite, irritability and no weight gain are main presenting features of TA. Symptoms of pulmonary hypertension such as cough, dyspnoea may be present. Additional signs such as Heart murmur, prolonged crying, palpitations, cyanosis help is suspecting a CHD.
Investigation
Medical history by the patient’s parents and Clinical examination of the child by the doctor helps in diagnosis. A cardiac murmur can be easily heard on a stethoscope on auscultation which will diagnose CHD. Pulse oximetry measures amount of oxygen% in the blood. A CBC, chest X ray, ECG is done. Echocardiography, cardiac catherization will confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment
Treatment involves only surgical correction and reconstruction of the defective heart. It consists of intracardiac repair by separating vessels and creating a new vessel. VSD is closed by open heart surgeries. Medications are given to improve and maintain the health of heart before surgery. Post surgery, antibiotics to prevent any infections, avoidance of physical exertion in children, will also help in managing the patient.
Other Modes of treatment
The other modes of treatment can also be effective in treating Truncus arteriosus. Homoeopathy is a science which deals with individualization considers a person in a holistic way. This science can be helpful in combating the symptoms. Similarly the ayurvedic system of medicine which uses herbal medicines and synthetic derivates are also found to be effective in treating Truncus arteriosus.
