What is Transposition of the Greater Vessels?
Transposition is a life-threatening congenital heart defect in which the two major vessels that carry blood away from the heart (the aorta and the pulmonary artery) are switched. Because the blood being pumped out to the body does not have enough oxygen, cyanosis (a bluish-purple coloration to the skin) and shortness of breath often result. Symptoms appear at birth or very soon afterwards. A surgical technique known as an arterial switch procedure can provide permanent correction within the first month of life.
