Truncus arteriosus (TA) is a rare congenital heart anomaly presenting with mild cyanosis and congestive heart failure. It occurs when the blood vessels coming out of the heart in the developing baby fail to separate completely during development, leaving a common trunk responsible for the pulmonary and systemic perfusion. There are several variants of TA, depending on the specific anatomy and arterial connection. We report a case of a full-term newborn who developed cyanosis and desaturation during the first day of life. Investigations and echocardiography were consistent with TA type IV. Prostaglandin infusion was immediately started, and then, a successful palliative right modified Blalock Taussig shunt was performed.

No abstract

Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is a frequent congenital heart defect. It becomes even more common in preterm infants with a high burden of consequences and adverse effects. Recently, the emergence of a constellation of different management protocols urged for a comprehensive summery of the best evidence-based interventions. A detailed electronic search for evidence was carried out, including Cochrane, systemic and narrative reviews. Variable controversial aspects of PDA diagnosis and management were discussed. Brief echocardiographic and laboratory PDA diagnosis followed by a review of symptomatic and asymptomatic PDA Surgical and nonsurgical management strategies included. Early interventionfor asymptomatic PDA depending on echo scoring, and grading all symptomatic PDAs clinically and echographically can guide management and decrease the need for surgical ligation.