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Prevention
By Mayo Clinic staffIn most cases, congenital heart defects, such as truncus arteriosus, can't be prevented. If you have a family history of heart defects or if you already have a child with a congenital heart defect, you and your partner may consider talking with a genetic counselor and a cardiologist experienced in congenital heart defects before you make a decision about becoming pregnant.
If you're thinking about becoming pregnant, there are several steps you can take to help ensure a healthy baby, including:
- Get vaccinated before getting pregnant. Certain viruses, such as rubella (German measles), can be very harmful during pregnancy, so it's important to make sure your immunizations are up to date before you get pregnant.
- Avoiding dangerous medications. Check with your doctor before taking any medications if you're pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant. Many drugs aren't recommended for use during pregnancy.
- Take folic acid. One of the few steps you can take to help prevent birth defects, including spinal cord, brain and possibly heart defects, is to take 400 micrograms of folic acid daily.
- Controlling diabetes. If you're a woman with diabetes, talk to your doctor about pregnancy risks associated with diabetes and how best to manage the disease during your pregnancy.
- Hirsh JC, et al. Congenital heart disease. In: Doherty GM. Current Diagnosis and Treatment: Surgery. 13th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill; 2010. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=5215009. Accessed April 16, 2010.
- Specific cardiac defects. In: Libby P, et al. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/book/player/book.do?method=display&type=bookPage&decorator=header&eid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-4106-1..50064-9--cesec197&displayedEid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-4106-1..50064-9--cesec319&uniq=195744492&isbn=978-1-4160-4106-1&sid=984783871. Accessed April 16, 2010.
- Persistent truncus arteriosus. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/print/sec19/ch287/ch287k.html. Accessed April 16, 2010.
- Sondheimer HM, et al. Cardiovascular diseases. In: Hay WW, et al. Current Diagnosis and Treatment: Pediatrics. 19th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2009. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=3402846. Accessed April 16, 2010.
- Truncus arteriosus. American Heart Association. http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=11073. Accessed April 16, 2010.
- Congenital heart defects. March of Dimes. http://www.marchofdimes.com/professionals/14332_1212.asp. Accessed April 16, 2010.
- Koenig PR, et al. Congenital coronary artery abnormalities. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 6, 2010.
- Sullivan KE. Chromosome 22q11.2 deletion syndrome: DiGeorge syndrome/velocardiofacial syndrome. Immunology and Allergy Clinics of North America. 2008;28:353.
- Cyanotic congenital heart disease: Lesions associated with increased pulmonary blood flow. In: Kliegman MD, et al. Nelson's Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/195744492-3/0/1608/1010.html?tocnode=54483014&fromURL=1010.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2450-7..50433-3_8277. Accessed April 16, 2010.
- Verhaert D, et al. Truncus arteriosus with aortic arch interruption: Cardiovascular magnetic resonance findings in the unrepaired adult. Journal of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance. 2010;12:16.
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