Transposition of great arteries: a preliminary report on local experience with balloon atrial septostomy

Eleven consecutive cases of simple transposition of great arteries were palliated by balloon atrial septostomy, The arterial saturation was improved and the gradient across the atrial septum was reduced or abolished. Improvement in the clinical status was achieved in all the patients. There was no mortality and morbidity was mild. A description of the technique as well as a brief review of the anatomy and haemodynamics of complete transposition of great arteries are the aims of this paper.