Comparison of Morphologic Findings in Patients with Dextrocardia with Situs Solitus vs Situs Inversus: a Retrospective Study

Pediatr Cardiol. 2019 Feb;40(2):302-309. doi: 10.1007/s00246-018-2007-4. Epub 2018 Oct 17.

Abstract

Background: Studies on dextrocardia have been limited by low numbers. Hence, it is very difficult to find the most common diagnosis in patients with dextrocardia, who are seeking medical attention in tertiary care center.

Aims and objective: To identify the most common diagnostic pattern in patients with dextrocardia with different situs.

Methods: It is a retrospective study with records dating back to up to last 21 years from a major tertiary care center in south India. All the patients with diagnosis of dextrocardia (defined as right-sided baso-apical axis of heart) will be included in the study. Segmental analysis will be done as defined previously.

Results: There were total of n = 378 patients with dextrocardia, 43.3% were females and median age was 1 year while mean age was 7 years. Situs solitus was present in 43.1%, Situs inversus in 38.1%, and Situs ambiguus in 18.8%. In patients with situs solitus and dextrocardia, the most common diagnosis was congenitally corrected TGA ± PS/PA followed by Double outlet Right ventricle ± PS/PA; whereas in patients with Situs inversus and dextrocardia, the most common diagnosis was Double outlet Right ventricle ± PS/PA followed by normal hearts and Left to right shunts.

Conclusion: In patients with dextrocardia who are seeking medical advice in a tertiary care center, they are more likely to have situs solitus followed by situs inversus. In situs solitus atrio-ventricular discordance with right ventricular outflow obstruction is the most common lesion suggesting L-looping is the most predominant mechanism. In patients with situs inversus, DORV with RVOTO is the most common lesion.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Dextrocardia / complications
  • Dextrocardia / diagnosis*
  • Echocardiography / methods
  • Female
  • Humans
  • India
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Tertiary Care Centers