Truncus Arteriosus

Abstract

Truncus arteriosus is a rare congenital cardiac malformation with a reported incidence between 0.006 and 0.043 per 1000 live births. It accounts for 0.7% of all congenital cardiac malformations and for 1-2% of congenital heart diseases identified at autopsies. This malformation has been defined as an anomaly in which the aorta, the coronary arteries, and the pulmonary arteries arise from a single vessel (common truncus) originated from the cardiac chambers. There is no remnant or rudimentary pulmonary artery arising separately from the heart. This chapter reviews the diagnosis and management of this entity.