In this congenital heart defect the ventricles are switched so that the left ventricle pumps blood to the lungs, and the right ventricle pumps blood out the aorta. In this defect, the position of the two ventricles is reversed so that the right atrium enters the left ventricle, and the left atrium enters the right ventricle. With this arrangement blood is flowing through the wrong ventricles, but it is still going in the correct direction, hence the term "congenitally corrected transposition". This defect is commonly associated with ventricular septal defect, pulmonic stenosis, heart block and an Ebstein-like malformation of the tricuspid valve. The normal right ventricle pumps blood to the lungs at a low pressure (about 25 mmHg). The left ventricle, pumping blood to the body, pumps at whatever pressure your blood pressure is (about 120 mmHg). With time, since the right ventricle is not built to pump to such a high pressure as the left ventricle, it may weaken, dilate, and cause symptoms.
This is an uncommon defect occurring in less than 1% of all people with congenital heart defects. Many people with this defect may live into adulthood before the defect is diagnosed and before symptoms occur.
This is an uncommon defect occurring in less than 1% of all people with congenital heart defects. Many people with this defect may live into adulthood before the defect is diagnosed and before symptoms occur.