What is Dextrocardia Situs Inversus?
Dextrocardia with situs inversus is when the heart and organs are not in their usual place. Situs inversus means organs are reversed. Dextrocardia means the heart's tip points to the right. It's rare, affecting 1/6000 to 1/35000 births. A genetic problem on chromosome 14 causes it. Some have no symptoms, but others may have heart defects.
Dextrocardia situs inversus may also be linked to primary ciliary dyskinesia, also called Kartagener syndrome. It may be suspected if dextrocardia, chronic sinusitis, and bronchiectasis are present due to ciliary dyskinesia.
What Are The Symptoms of Dextrocardia Situs Inversus:
Some people who are affected have no obvious signs or symptoms. Others may experience the following signs and symptoms of dextrocardia situs inversus such as:
-
Breathing difficulty
- Cyanosis (bluish skin discoloration due to insufficient oxygen in the blood)
- Frequent sinus or lung infections
-
Pallor
(very pale skin)
-
Jaundice (yellow skin and eyes)
-
Fatigue
, especially when feeding
- Failure to grow and gain weight.
- Doctors may discover that the tip of the heart is pointing towards the right side of the chest rather than the left.
-
Congenital heart defects, most commonly transposition of the great vessels, affect a small percentage of the population.
- The organs in the chest cavity and abdomen are reversed in mirror image.
When to See a Doctor?
In severe cases, typically in infants with additional heart defects or another disease, certain symptoms need medical treatment.
Symptoms that require medical attention include:
- unexplained and continual exhaustion.
- inability to gain weight.
- chronic infections, especially of the sinus and lungs
- difficulty breathing
Causes and Risk factors of Dextrocardia Situs Inversus:
The exact cause of dextrocardia situs inversus is unknown but the condition occurs because the heart does not form correctly during fetal development.
- Dextrocardia affects around 1 in 12,000 people, with 1 in 10,000 children having dextrocardia situs inversus totalis.
- Gender, race, and ethnicity don't seem to matter for its development.
- It's caused by certain genes during a baby's growth in the womb.
- Organs get mixed up during this growth, causing dextrocardia with situs inversus.
- Some cases happen because of a condition called primary ciliary dyskinesia, caused by gene changes.
- Parents might carry the gene without showing signs.
How to Diagnose Dextrocardia Situs Inversus:
- The diagnosis of dextrocardia situs inversus is suspected in some cases based on the presence of concerning signs and symptoms; however, it is frequently discovered by chance when an X-ray and ultrasound are performed to investigate some other condition.
- Chest radiography can help confirm the diagnosis of dextrocardia with situs inversus, in which the cardiac apex and aortic arch are on the right side of the chest.
-
Computed tomography
scan is also typically the preferred examination to confirm the diagnosis of dextrocardia situs inversus.
-
Magnetic resonance imaging
may be substituted in cases that are associated with congenital heart defects.
Treatment of Dextrocardia Situs Inversus:
Treatment varies based on any heart or physical issues alongside dextrocardia situs inversus.
Surgery for Congenital Heart Defects
Babies with heart defects or other organ problems might need surgery.
Management of Kartagener Syndrome
People with Kartagener syndrome receive care to clear mucus, prevent infections, and treat bacterial infections.
Treatment for Associated Conditions
-
Heart Medications: Medicines to help the heart pump blood better.
-
Antibiotics for Infections: Drugs to manage respiratory infections.
-
Fluid Removal Medications: Medications to remove fluid from the lungs.
-
Pacemakers for Heart Issues: Devices like pacemakers for certain heart rhythm problems.
-
Surgery for Organ Problems: Surgical intervention for congenital heart issues or other chest and abdomen organ problems.
Dos and Don'ts
Follow dos and don'ts for dextrocardia situs inversus to prevent the symptoms and its complications.
This condition requires proper treatment and a set of do’s and don'ts to be followed to manage dextrocardia situs inversus. During the treatment and even after the treatment, one need to follow these:
|
Do’s
|
Don’ts
|
| Take enough sleep for at least 7 to 9 hours. |
Eat junk, oily or deep fried foods. |
| Eat healthy food and follow a proper diet. |
Forget to take medications. |
| Control your blood pressure levels |
Forget to go for your routine checkups. |
| Manage your stress. |
Ignore signs and symptoms. |
| Take precautions to avoid any kind of infection. |
Do smoke or consume alcohol. |
| Regular exercise or yoga |
Let your cholesterol levels increase |
Dextrocardia Situs Inversus Care at Mediver Hospitals:
At Medicover hospitals, we have the best team of endocrinologists and neurosurgeons who provide the most comprehensive treatment and care. Our diagnostic department is equipped with cutting-edge technology and equipment to perform the tests needed for dextrocardia-situs-inversus diagnosis and treatment planning.
Citations
https://www.eurorad.org/case/13719
https://www.dovemed.com/diseases-conditions/dextrocardia-situs-inversus/
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/318875#causes-and-risk-factors
https://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/diseases/6268/dextrocardia-with-situs-inversus
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6730946/pdf/18-244.pdf
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK556074/
