Persistent Truncus Arteriosus

Persistent Truncus Arteriosus

Persistent truncus arteriosus occurs when, during fetal development, the developing truncus does not divide into the pulmonary artery and aorta, resulting in a single, large, blood vessel that exits the heart. As a result, blood that contains oxygen (oxygenated blood) and blood that does not contain oxygen (deoxygenated blood) mix together and enter the body and the lungs.