The Diagnosis of Corrected Transposition of the Great Vessels

Congenitally corrected transposition was, until recently, regarded as an extreme rarity, but is now being recognized more frequently during life. This anomaly in its uncomplicated form is associated with normal hamodynamics and a normal expectation of life (Helmholz, Daugherty, and Edwards, 1956). It is, however, commonly complicated by abnormalities of the left atrio-ventricular (A-V) valve, and by other congenital heart lesions, notably ventricular septal defect (VSD), pulmonary stenosis, and single ventricle: the presence of corrected transposition introduces additional difficulties and dangers into the repair of these associated lesions. It is particularly important, therefore, that this anomaly should be recognized before operation; and it is the purpose of this article to review the clinical, radiological, cardiographic, and hemodynamic features of corrected transposition, in the light of experience with our ten patients and of others that have been reported.