Dextrocardia

Full Definition

Dextrocardia is a rare congenital heart defect in which the heart is located on the right side of the chest instead of the left. This condition can occur in isolation or as part of situs inversus, where all organs are mirror-reversed. Editors should note that dextrocardia requires specific anatomical descriptions and may be associated with other cardiac anomalies. The term is often confused with cardiac malposition in editorial contexts.

Usage

Usage note: Always specify whether dextrocardia is isolated or part of situs inversus totalis.

In Context

• "The patient presented with dextrocardia and required modified surgical approach for ventricular septal defect repair." — surgical report
• "Prenatal ultrasound revealed isolated dextrocardia without other structural abnormalities." — diagnostic report