What is Truncus Arteriosus?
During normal fetal development both of the great vessels of the heart (aorta and main pulmonary artery) arise from division of a single primitive arterial trunk (trunk arteriosus). The aorta supplies blood to the head and the body, the pulmonary artery supplies blood to the lungs. During fetal development in a child with persistent truncus arteriosus, the embryological division, or separation, these infants are born essentially with one great vessel originating from the heart instead of two. This vessel supplies blood to the head and body, as well as the lungs. In addition to the persistent truncal artery, infants are usually born with a ventricular septal defect, or hole between the two pumping chambers of the heart.
