Accepted Abbreviations for Truncus Arteriosus and Tricuspid Atresia in Medical Literature
In medical literature, truncus arteriosus is abbreviated as "TAC" or "CAT" (common arterial trunk), while tricuspid atresia is abbreviated as "TA" to avoid confusion between these two distinct congenital heart defects. 1
Truncus Arteriosus Abbreviations
- TAC is the preferred abbreviation for truncus arteriosus in current medical literature and guidelines 1
- CAT (common arterial trunk) is an alternative abbreviation sometimes used in clinical practice 1
- The abbreviation "TA" for truncus arteriosus should be avoided due to potential confusion with tricuspid atresia 1
Tricuspid Atresia Abbreviations
- TA is the standard abbreviation for tricuspid atresia in medical literature and clinical practice 1, 2
- This abbreviation is consistently used in major cardiovascular guidelines and research publications 1, 3
Importance of Proper Abbreviation Use
- Using distinct abbreviations helps prevent clinical confusion between these two very different congenital heart defects 1
- Truncus arteriosus (TAC) is a congenital cardiovascular malformation in which a single arterial trunk arises from the heart, giving origin to the coronary arteries, pulmonary arteries, and systemic circulation 1
- Tricuspid atresia (TA) is characterized by complete absence of the tricuspid valve, resulting in no direct communication between the right atrium and right ventricle 2, 3
Clinical Context and Classification
- Both conditions are classified as "Great Complexity" (or Complex) congenital heart defects according to the AHA/ACC guidelines 1
- Truncus arteriosus (TAC) is associated with significant mortality if left unrepaired and requires early surgical intervention 4
- Tricuspid atresia (TA) typically requires staged surgical palliation, often culminating in a Fontan procedure 2, 3
Documentation Best Practices
- When using these abbreviations in clinical documentation, it is recommended to write out the full term at first mention, followed by the abbreviation in parentheses 1
- In cases where both conditions might be discussed in the same document, using the distinct abbreviations (TAC/CAT for truncus arteriosus and TA for tricuspid atresia) is essential to avoid confusion 1