Dextrocardia

Dextrocardia refers to a condition where the main part of the heart is located in the right side of the chest cavity, primarily caused by congenital developmental abnormalities. Dextrocardia can be classified into the following types: Situs inversus totalis with dextrocardia (mirror-image dextrocardia or true dextrocardia): The right atrium, liver, and gallbladder are located to the left of the spine, while the left atrium, spleen, and gastric bubble are located to the right. The left lung has three lobes, and the right lung has two lobes. The morphology of the left and right bronchi is also reversed, resembling a mirror image of a normal person. This type of dextrocardia is the most common. Dextroversion: The heart is in the right chest cavity, while the positions of other organs are normal. Isolated dextrocardia: This is a relatively special type without situs inversus. However, the right atrium is located to the left of the spine, similar to mirror-image dextrocardia. The hepatic segment of the inferior vena cava suddenly turns from the right side of the spine to the left side, entering the right atrium. Dextroposition: This is secondary to thoracic diseases, leading to the heart shifting to the right. Also known as pseudo-dextrocardia, it is not accompanied by visceral transposition. Only the heart is located on the right side of the chest cavity, and the anatomical positions of the left and right heart chambers remain unchanged. Dextroversion and isolated dextrocardia are often accompanied by cardiac malformations, mostly complex ones. If dextrocardia is not accompanied by other cardiovascular malformations, there are generally no uncomfortable symptoms. If it is accompanied by congenital cardiovascular malformations such as atrial septal defect or ventricular septal defect, corresponding symptoms such as chest tightness, shortness of breath, and cyanosis may occur.