The Effectiveness of Balloon Atrial Septostomy in Neonates with Great Artery Transposition in Duhok, Iraq

Abstract

D-loop transposition of the great arteries (d-TGA), the aorta arises anteriorly from the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery arises posteriorly from the left ventricle, is the second most common form of cyanotic congenital disease, d-loop transposition of the great arteries (d-TGA), has a high mortality rate (85-90 percent) if left untreated1,2. The newborns' life expectancy is dependent on sufficient inter-circulatory mixing3. These patients' survival depends on creating defects that allow the two circulations to mix namely ASD, VSD, and PDA4. Conventionally, such a defect has been attained by formation of or enlarging pre-existing PFO/ASD 3. In 1950, surgical septotomy (‘Blalock–Hanlon septectomy’) was first reported and ever since considered the gold standard of care for D-TGA patients5. Subsequently, Rashkind et al developed catheter-based fluoroscopy guided technique named Balloon Atrial Septostomy (BAS) or Rashkind septotomy in 19666-8.