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Dextrocardia
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Important Resources for Dextrocardia:
Dextrocardia is a condition where the heart is situated on the right side of the body. The usual location of the heart is to the left side of the body within the chest. However, in people with this condition, it is reversed. Dextro is a latin prefix for right side, while cardia is latin for heart and hence the name. The heart in this condition is a mirror image of the usual location and the complete name is Dextrocardia Situs Inversus. In rare instances, all the visceral organs also may be 'inverted' and this condition is called Dextrocardia Situs Inversus Totalis.
The prevalence of this condition is reported to be about 1 in 10000 people[1]. Kartagener’s Syndrome occurs in approximately 1 in 25 of people with Dextrocardia Situs Inversus Totalis. This disorder affects the sinus and bronchial cilia causing constant sinus and bronchial symptoms that medication can not rectify. The bronchial tubes can dilate and hold secretions and become infected. This condition is known as bronchiectasia or bronchiectasis. It is interesting that not only are the cilia or tiny waving hair like structures are immobilized but the sperm is also immobilized causing male infertility.
The condition is detected by a routine clinical examination by percussing the chest as well as by auscultating for heart sounds with a stethoscope. It can be confirmed by a Chest radiograph. It does not affect survival by itself. However, in a majority of cases, it may be associated with Congenital Heart Disease[2]. The incidence of Coronary Artery Disease among people with Dextrocardia is the same as in the general population. Care must be taken while connecting ECG leads or while defibrillating as the positions of these leads/pads must be reversed.
References
- ↑ Raina T, Grech ED & Cumberland D. 2008. Percutaneous coronary intervention in dextrocardia. British Journal of Cardiology. 15(2) PDF
- ↑ Bernasconi A, Azancot A, Simpson JM, Jones A & Sharland GK. 2005. Fetal Dextrocardia: diagnosis and outcome in two tertiary centres. Heart. 91:1590-1594; doi:10.1136/hrt.2004.048330. BMJ Publishing Group Ltd & British Cardiovascular Society. LINK
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