Transposition of the aorta and levoposition of the pulmonary artery (Taussig-Bing syndrome)

Differential diagnosis of the Taussig-Bing heart from complete transposition of the great vessels with a posteriorly overriding pulmonary artery

The Taussig-Bing transposition bears the name of the authors who described for the first time the clinical, physiologic, and anatomic findings. It has been recognized that the malformation is physiologically not so distinct as it is anatomically and that a transposition with the same physiologic pattern but different anatomy has been observed. Several case reports have appeared in the literature in which no clear differentiation was made in regard to the second type of transposition with overriding pulmonary artery. In the latter instance there is a complete transposition of both great vessels with a posteriorly placed overriding pulmonary artery in contrast to the original Taussig-Bing heart in which the 2 vessels are side by side, the pulmonary artery being in its normal place.

Following the original case report, 14 cases were seen in this clinic in which the diagnosis was established either by catheterization, angiocardiography, or autopsy. In 4 other cases, the diagnosis of a transposition with a posterior overriding pulmonary artery was made. Criteria for the differential diagnosis of these 2 lesions are pointed out. The differentiation of these 2 transpositions is of particular importance for possible surgical correction.