Cardiac PICU

Question 1

What are MAPCAs?

Answer 1

“Major aorto-pulmonary collateral arteries”: Arteries that develop to supply blood to the lungs when the native pulmonary circulation is underdeveloped. Instead of coming from the pulmonary trunk, supply develops from the aorta and systemic arteries.

Question 2

What are the two clinical implications of MAPCAs?

Answer 2

1. Since they come from the systemic circulation, they often have higher than normal pressure found in the lungs and lead to pulmonary hypertension.
2. Since MAPCAs are not programmed to exist beyond early fetal life, they eventually become stenotic.

Question 3

What are two nearly universal findings in Truncus Arteriosus?

Answer 3

1. CHF
2. Pulmonary artery hypertension

Question 4

What type of shunt is present in Truncus Arteriosus?

Answer 4

A large unrestrictive left to right shunt through a VSD.