TGA & Heart Disease

Millions of people suffer from some form of heart disease. While we have seen an increase in heart disease-related illnesses over the years, there have also been advances in treatment. More people survive heart disease, and as we learn more about the various illnesses that accompany this disease, we can educate more people. One rare but serious form of heart disease is TGA (transposition of the great arteries), which affects babies.

Explanation of TGA

• TGA can be a deadly disease.

  TGA is an abnormality of the heart vessels that is present at birth and can cause various other forms of heart disease. There are two main arteries to the heart: the aorta and the pulmonary artery. In a normal heart, the aorta is located on the left side of the heart and the pulmonary artery is located on the right side. With TGA, the arteries are reversed. This is a serious heart defect that requires open heart surgery in order for a baby to survive. TGA causes blood to flow in areas of the heart where it should not. The cause of this disease in unknown, but it appears that males are at a higher risk than females. Babies born to mothers with diabetes are at high risk as well.

Signs and Symptoms

• Early diagnosis could protect your baby in the long run.

  According to Cooper University Hospital, the signs and symptoms of TGA can include difficulty breathing, rapid breathing, or shortness of breath; a bluish color of the skin, called cyanosis; signs of congestive heart failure, which can include swelling in the legs and abdomen; heart murmurs, which are abnormal heart sounds; and low oxygen levels in the blood. While having any of these symptoms does not mean that your baby has TGA, it is best to consult your doctor for diagnosis.

Medical Tests and Treatments

• Heart surgery is almost always required.

  If your baby is showing signs of TGA, your doctor will conduct a standard physical examination, including a chest x-ray, and an ECG (electrocardiogram) or an echocardiogram (which measures the beats of the heart). Medication may be used to keep the baby alive until surgery can occur. Babies with this type of defect will need constant monitoring before and after surgery. Your baby may even need to take heart medication for the rest of his life.

Complications

• Constant monitoring is key for babies affected with this disease.

  Complications from TGA include the improper blood flow and other abnormalities within the heart. Sadly, TGA often leads to death. TGA can also lead to congestive heart failure later in life. The mortality rate for babies who are left untreated is approximately 30 percent in the first week, 50 percent in the first month and 90 percent by the end of the first year. Other side effects of TGA may include headaches, decreased exercise tolerance and strokes.

Summary

• With constant monitoring and care, your baby could survive this disease.

  As of 2010, the cause of TGA is not known. While this disease can be treated with heart surgery and medication, this is not a cure-all when it comes to this deadly disease. Early detection will help but does not always mean your baby will survive. Constant monitoring and care will give your baby at chance at living a productive life. While TGA often results in death, there is a much better chance of survival if it is caught early.