Truncus arteriosus in Bangladesh
Truncus arteriosus is an unusual form of heart disease in which only one blood vessel (truncus arteriosus) emerges from the right and left ventricles rather than the usual two (pulmonary artery and aorta). It is present from the moment of birth (congenital heart disease).
A single artery emerges from the ventricles in truncus arteriosus. There is usually a wide hole between the two ventricles as well (ventricular septal defect). As a result, the blue (oxygen-depleted) and red (oxygen-rich) blood blend together.
Some of this mixed blood is directed to the lungs, while the remainder is directed to the rest of the body. Frequently, more blood than normal is directed to the lungs.