Persistent Truncus Arteriosus

A persistent truncus arteriosus results when the truncoconal swellings fail to grow. The single artery, the truncus arteriosus, arises from both ventricles above the ventricular septal defect, allowing pulmonary and systemic blood to mix. Distally, the single artery is divided into the aorta and pulmonary trunk by an incomplete septum.

Figure

• AO = Aorta
• PT = Pulmonary trunk
• PTA = Persistent truncus arteriosus
• RV/LV = Right and left ventricles