A80

HEART - Transposition of great vessels, ventricular septal defect

Description
The heart is enlarged for the age of the child. There is marked hypertrophy. The aorta arises from right ventricle; the pulmonary artery arises from the left ventricle. A large high ventricular septal defect is present.
History
This child showed cyanotic heart disease virtually from birth. In addition to the lesions seen here, he had a patent inter-auricular septum and a patent ductus arteriosus. Investigations showed pulmonary hypertension with pressures equal to those in the systemic system. The lesions were inoperable, but child survived to age of thirteen when he died from a cerebral abscess. There is no evidence of endocarditis in the specimen.