Transposition of the Great Arteries (TGA) is a heart defect in which the in which the two main arteries leaving the heart are reversed (transposed). This reversal causes the systemic (to the body) and pulmonary (to the lungs) circulations to be in parallel instead of in series. TGA is a congenital birth defect, which means that is is present at birth.
The way in which TGA changes the way blood flows from the heart and circulates through the body causes a shortage of oxygen in the blood to the rest of the newborn’s body. Without an enough oxygen-rich blood, the body cannot function properly.
Transposition of the Great Arteries is a very serious birth defect. Without treatment, it may cause a newborn’s death within a weeks after birth. For a baby to survive, it is critical that the condition is diagnosed quickly and proper treatment is provided without delay.
Transposition of the Great Arteries (TGA) after Zoloft during pregnancy? You may have a right to file a Zoloft lawsuit to recover compensation for Zoloft TGA side effects. Our national drug injury and wrongful death attorneys help families across the U.S. file claims for Zoloft heart defect side effects damages. Time limits apply. Act now. Get a free, no-obligation consultation. Submit the Zoloft attorney contact form on this page or call us toll-free. 800-845-6913
A baby born with TGA usually become sick within the first weeks after birth. If the arteries of the newborn’s heart are not repaired, the infant may not survive.
Symptoms and Diagnosis of TGA
A baby born with Transposition if the Great Arteries may seem normal immediately after birth. Symptoms of TGA usually begin to occur within the first few weeks after birth.
Symptoms of Transposition of the Great Arteries may include the following:
- Blue or bluish/grayish skin tone (Cyanosis)
- Shortness of breath (Dyspnea)
- Poor feeding, not eating
- Poor weight gain
These symptoms may resemble other heart problems and medical conditions. Newborns with TGA symptoms are referred to a pediatric cardiologist for a diagnosis. Transposition of the Great Arteries often is diagnosed soon after birth or during the first week of life.
In addition to physical examination, tests are needed to diagnose TGA. Diagnostic tests may include a chest X-ray, electrocardiogram (ECG), echocardiogram (echo), and/or cardiac catherization.
Treatment of TGA
If your baby is diagnosed with Transposition of the Great Arteries, treatment must be initiated quickly. All infants diagnosed with TGA require heart surgery to repair the defect.
Before surgery, both the medication prostaglandin E1 (Alprostadil) and a procedure called atrial septostomy may be used to increase blood flow through the connection between the aorta and pulmonary to allow for the oxygen-rich and oxygen-poor blood to mix. This increases the amount of oxygen in the blood circulated to the rest of the baby’s body.
There are two surgical options:
Arterial switch operation: This surgery usually is performed within the first month after birth and is the most common procedure used to fix the reversal of great arteries. In this operation, the surgeon moves the pulmonary artery and aorta into their normal position.
Atrial switch operation: This surgery involves the surgeon making a tunnel (baffle) between the two upper chambers (atria) of the heart. Blood flow is changed so that the right ventricle must pump oxygen-rich blood to the entire body, instead of just to the lungs as it would normally. Most infants who undergo an atrial switch operation will not require additional heart surgery. However, risks of the operation, including irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias), baffle blockages or leaks, and problems with right ventricle function, may require treatment.
Prognosis for Babies with Transposition of the Great Arteries
When Transposition of the Great Arteries is diagnosed in a timely manner and proper treatment is provided, infants are expected to do well and the prognosis for survival to adulthood is very good.
After surgery, lifelong follow-up care with a cardiologist is needed to monitor heart health and for the early detection of any problems. Cardiac monitoring may include regular cardiac physical exams, occasional echocardiography exams, and an exercise stress test when a child is old enough to perform one. Some activities that increase the blood pressure and stress the heart, such as weightlifting, may be restricted.
After an atrial switch operation, antibiotic treatment may be required top prevent infections before dental procedures or surgeries that typically do not require prophylactic antibiotics.
Zoloft TGA Lawsuit : Transposition of the Great Arteries
Zoloft use during pregnancy has been linked to an increased risk of Transposition of the Great Arteries.
If you or a loved on took Zoloft while pregnant and your baby suffered Transposition of the Great Arteries, you may have a right to file a Zoloft lawsuit claim for substantial financial compensation.
Concerned parents across the United States are choosing to file claims for Zoloft Transposition of the Great Arterier (TGA) compensation. Zoloft lawsuits allege that drug company Pfizer failed to warn of the TGA side effects risks linked to use of the SSRI antidepressant drug Zoloft during pregnancy.
Contact us now for a free, no-obligation consultation with an experienced attorney. Let us answer all of your questions and help you recover the compensation you and your family deserve. Use the Zoloft attorney contact request form on this page or call us toll-free. 800-845-6913