Transposition of the great vessels is a congenital heart defect in
which the position of the two major vessels that carry blood away
from the heart - the aorta and the pulmonary artery - is switched
(transposed). This defect is classified as a cyanotic heart defect
because the condition results in insufficiently oxygenated blood
pumped to the body which leads to cyanosis (a bluish-purple
coloration to the skin) and shortness of breath.
Review Date: 12/21/2009
Reviewed By: Kurt R. Schumacher, MD, Pediatric Cardiology, University of
Michigan Congenital Heart Center, Ann Arbor, MI. Review provided by
VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA,
Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
