Transposition of the Great Vessels
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.
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Heart, Front View Heart, Section Through the Middle
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Transposition of the Great Vessels
Review Date : 2/13/2002
Reviewed By : A.D.A.M. Medical Illustration Team
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