Truncus Arteriosus
Truncus Arteriosus is a congenital heart defect when the blood pressure in the lungs drops, resulting in too much blood going to the lungs and causing congestive heart failure.
Unlike a normal heart, in truncus arteriosus, there is no wall between the right and left ventricle, so oxygen-rich blood mixes with the blood that has low levels of oxygen. The heart then pumps more of this oxygen-deficient blood to the lungs than into the body. To make sure enough blood gets to the rest of the body, the heart must work harder than normal. This condition must be repaired after birth to relieve overuse of the heart..
Our team of fetal heart specialists diagnoses truncus arteriosus and works with you and your physicians during your pregnancy.