• A congenital anomaly caused by the failed development of truncus arteriosus into separate aorta and pulmonary artery. It is characterized by a single arterial trunk that forms the outlet for both heart ventricles and gives rise to the systemic, pulmonary, and coronary arteries. It is always accompanied by a ventricular septal defect.
  • A rare congenital cardiovascular disorder characterized by the failure of the embryologic structure truncus arteriosus to divide into the aorta and pulmonary trunk. It results in the presence of a single vessel instead of two vessles leading out of the heart. Clinical signs and symptoms include cyanosis that is present at birth, poor growth, dyspnea, tachypnea, arrhythmia, cardiomegaly, and heart failure. If it is not surgically repaired, it leads to death.