Dextrocardia, dexiocardia, mirror heart, dextroversion and dextroposition

By Cristiano Antonino On Sep 13, 2022

The normal heart is positioned on the centre/left side of the chest and has the apex (i.e. the tip) pointing to the left

Dextrocardia (dexiocardia): when the direction of the apex of the heart changes

Dextrocardia, also called “dexiocardia” or “mirror heart” or “mirrored heart” (in English “dextrocardia”) in medicine refers to a type of “ectopia cordis” (i.e. abnormal position of the heart) in which the heart – instead of having its apex (i.e. tip) directed to the left – turns out to have its apex directed to the right.

In dextrocardia the heart retains its normal internal anatomical conformation (normal atria and ventricles) but in a mirror-like manner

In dextrocardia the heart is NOT rotated on itself.

Whereas in normal the heart is positioned in the centre/left of the chest, in dextrocardia it is positioned in the centre/right of the chest.

Dextrocardia is congenital, i.e. already present at birth.

Dextrocardia may occur alone or in the context of a partial or complete situs inversus, a condition in which one or more abdominal and/or thoracic organs are inverted in a left-right direction compared to normal.

Dextrocardia is often present in Kartagener syndrome, a genetic disorder that also leads to respiratory complications such as sinusitis and bronchiectasis.

Dextrocardia can also accompany congenital cardiac malformations such as interventricular septal defect and cardiovascular complications such as congenital pulmonary stenosis.

The anomaly can be diagnosed by electrocardiogram and ultrasound.

In the absence of congenital disease or other pathologies, individuals with mirror heart are phenotypically healthy and live normal lives, with no consequences related to their medical condition.

QUALITY AED? VISIT THE ZOLL BOOTH AT EMERGENCY EXPO

Destroversion

Destroversion refers to an abnormal position of the heart in which the heart is abnormally positioned further to the right on the chest, is rotated on its axis to the right, and has its apex directed to the right.

The abnormality can be diagnosed by electrocardiogram and ultrasound.

In the absence of congenital heart disease or other pathologies, individuals with a right-handed heart are phenotypically healthy and live normal lives, with no consequences related to their medical condition.

Dextroversion

CARDIOPROTECTION AND CARDIOPULMONARY RESUSCITATION? VISIT THE EMD112 BOOTH AT EMERGENCY EXPO NOW TO LEARN MORE

Dextroversion refers to an abnormal position of the heart in which the heart is abnormally positioned to the right on the chest, but retains a leftward apex.

In dextroposition, the heart retains its normal internal anatomical conformation (normal atria and ventricles).

The cardiovascular system is NOT rotated on itself.

In the absence of congenital disease or other pathologies, individuals with right-positioned hearts are phenotypically healthy and live normal lives, with no consequences related to their medical condition.

Heart, at a glance

dextrocardia (dexiocardia): heart more to the right; heart internally normal but with a “mirror” structure; apex to the right;
dextroversion: heart more to the right; heart rotated on its own axis; apex to the right;
dextroposition: heart positioned to the right; apex to the left.

Alcoholic And Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy

Defibrillator: What It Is, How It Works, Price, Voltage, Manual And External

The Patient’s ECG: How To Read An Electrocardiogram In A Simple Way

Signs And Symptoms Of Sudden Cardiac Arrest: How To Tell If Someone Needs CPR

Inflammations Of The Heart: Myocarditis, Infective Endocarditis And Pericarditis

Quickly Finding – And Treating – The Cause Of A Stroke May Prevent More: New Guidelines

Atrial Fibrillation: Symptoms To Watch Out For

Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome: What It Is And How To Treat It