Management of the neonate after the arterial switch operation for transposition of the great arteries and intact ventricular septum.

The development of the arterial switch operation to correct transposition of the great arteries with an intact ventricular septum in the neonatal period is the most recent advancement in the surgical treatment of this congenital heart defect. This article describes the candidate criteria for the arterial switch operation, the surgical procedure, postoperative nursing management in the intensive care nursery, potential complications of the operation, and the outcomes in these neonates. The definitions of transposition of the great arteries, incidence, clinical presentation, and initial treatment are briefly reviewed.