Transposition of the Great Arteries Surgery In India: Things to Consider Going for the Surgery

Transposition of the great arteries (TGA) is a serious but rare heart defect present at birth i.e. congenital in which the two main arteries leaving heart (Aorta and Pulmonary artery) are reversed i.e. transposed.

This condition is also referred to as dextro-transposition or d-transposition of the great arteries. A normal heart carries blood in a cycle in which impure blood from body goes to right atrium of heart and travels to right ventricle from where blood is pumped through pulmonary artery to lungs for purification.

The oxygenated i.e. purified blood from lungs is returned through pulmonary vein to left atrium of heart and travels to left ventricle which is pumped for circulation in the body through aorta. In d-transposition patients, blood pathway is impaired because two great arteries are connected to wrong chambers in the heart.

In d-TGA, pulmonary artery is connected to left ventricle instead of right ventricle and aorta is connected to right ventricle instead of left ventricle which is opposite to the anatomy of heart. When d-TGA occurs because of the opposite arrangement of the arteries, blood flow cycle is changed.
Due to the transposition of the great arteries, blood can flow in two different ways i.e.

• De-oxygenated blood from right ventricle will go through misconnected aorta back to the body i.e. without being routed to lungs for oxygen
• Oxygenated blood from left ventricle will go to back to lungs i.e. without going to circulation in the body i.e. without delivering oxygen to the body

In both types of blood flow circuits, body tissues are deprived of oxygen required for metabolic functions and survival. Due to inadequate supply of oxygen-rich blood, body functions are badly affected and pose serious complications or cause death without treatment.
TGA is often detected soon after baby is born or during the first week of life. Once detected, TGA needs to be addressed quickly as lack of oxygen can harm myocardium i.e. muscles of heart and prove fatal.

Transposition of the great arteries is caused because of low amount of oxygen provided by heart to the body and is also called "blue-baby syndrome."
Transposition of the great arteries symptoms include:

• Blue color of the skin i.e. Cyanosis
• Shortness of breath
• Rapid breathing
• Labored breathing
• Rapid heart rate
• Lack of appetite
• Poor weight gain
• Cool & clammy i.e. moist and sticky skin

Although surgery is the most appropriate treatment for Transposition of the great arteries, however doctors, prior to surgery sometime prefer:

• Medications like prostaglandin E1 (Alprostadil) to keep connection between aorta and pulmonary artery and improve mixing of de-oxygenated and oxygenated blood until surgery is performed.
• Balloon Atrial Septostomy (BAS) – A cardiac catheterization procedure done within a couple of hours after the child’s birth that allows oxygenated and de-oxygen blood to mix and improve oxygen delivery to baby's body

Among surgical options, doctors as per need opt for:

• Arterial switch operation in which arteries are switched to their normal positions
• Atrial switch operation in which a baffle or tunnel is created between right and left atria of heart to allow de-oxygenated blood from right atrium to move to left ventricle and out towards to lungs through pulmonary artery.

The cost of transposition of the great arteries surgery in India varies considering various factors like patient’s condition, reputation of doctor; place and hospital chosen besides facilities availed.
However, when compared to developed countries, cost of transposition of the great arteries surgery in India is much less and affordable.

Owing to highly qualified and skilled surgeons and medical infrastructure, the success rate of transposition of the great arteries in India is very high.

India Cardiac Surgery Group is the largest network of best cardiac surgeons and has collaboration with top cardiac hospitals in India. 
 We assist patients by:

• Arranging appointment with doctors in best hospitals
• Helping in procuring medical visa
• Make arrangement for stay and transport
• Helping conversion of currency, for patients from abroad.

For more information about surgery or appointment you can contact at : +91-9370586696 or send your query at enquiry@indiacardiacsurgerysite.com