Alternate Names : Detroversion, Dextroposition, Dextrorotation
Definition
Dextrocardia is a condition in which the heart is located in the right side of the chest instead of the left. It can be present at birth (congenital) or caused by disease or surgery.
Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
During the early weeks of pregnancy, the baby’s heart develops. Sometimes, for reasons that are unclear, the heart develops in the right side of the chest instead of the left side.
There are several types of dextrocardia. Most involve other defects of the heart and abdomen area.
The simplest type of dextrocardia is one in which the heart is a mirror image of the normal heart, and no other problems exist. This condition is rare. Usually in this case, the organs of the abdomen and the lungs will also be arranged in a mirror image of their normal position. For example, the liver will be on the left side instead of the right.
Some people with mirror-image dextrocardia have a problem with the fine hairs (cilia) that filter the air going into their nose and air passages. This condition is called Kartagener syndrome.
In the more common types of dextrocardia, heart defects are present in addition to the abnormal location of the heart. The most common heart defects seen with dextrocardia include:
- Double outlet right ventricle
- Endocardial cushion defect
- Pulmonary stenosis or atresia
- Single ventricle
- Transposition of the great vessels
- Ventricular septal defect
The abdominal and chest organs in babies with dextrocardia may be abnormal and do not work correctly. A very serious syndrome that appears with dextrocardia is called heterotaxy. Heterotaxy means the organs (atria of the heart and abdominal organs) are not in their usual places.
In heterotaxy, the spleen may be completely missing. Because the spleen is an extremely important part of the immune system, babies born without a spleen are in danger of severe bacterial infections and death. In another form of heterotaxy several small spleens exist, but may not work correctly.
Heterotaxy may also include:
- Abnormal gallbladder system
- Problems with the lungs
- Problems with the structure of the intestines
- Severe heart defects
Possible risk factors for dextrocardia include:
- Family history of the condition
- Mother with diabetes (may play a role in some forms of dextrocardia)
Pictures & Images
Dextrocardia
The heart is almost always located in the left side of the chest. Dextrocardia is a condition in which the heart is located in the right side of the chest. Dextrocardia can also cause the heart to develop in a mirror image of the normal heart. In the more common types of dextrocardia, heart defects are present in addition to the abnormal location of the heart.
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Dextrocardia : Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
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Dextrocardia : Symptoms & Signs, Diagnosis & Tests
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Dextrocardia : Treatment
Review Date : 4/30/2008
Reviewed By : Mark A Fogel, MD, FACC, FAAP, Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Radiology, Director of Cardiac MR, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Division of Cardiology, Philadelphia, PA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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