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Truncus arteriosus



Heart, section through the middle
Heart, section through the middle


Truncus arteriosus

Alternative Names:

Truncus
Symptoms:

Signs and tests:

The cardiologist or pediatrician usually hears a murmur when listening to the heart with a stethoscope.

  • An ECG shows signs of enlargement of the heart (ventricular hypertrophy).
  • An X-ray of the chest shows heart enlargement and fluid-filled lungs.
  • An echocardiogram shows a ventricular septal defect (VSD) and a single truncal artery -- definitive diagnosis.
  • Rarely, a heart catheterization is necessary to help with the diagnosis or planning of a treatment strategy.



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