Understanding Dextrocardia: Causes, Symptoms, and Management

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Dextrocardia

by Alike Medical Team ∙ Updated on June 13, 2023

General

In dextrocardia, the heart is positioned on the right side of the chest instead of its normal position on the left side. Dextrocardia on its own does not usually cause problems, but it tends to occur with other conditions that can have serious effects on the heart, lungs and other vital organs.

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Signs & symptoms

Isolated dextrocardia does not usually cause symptoms. But dextrocardia accompanied by other health conditions can cause: * Breathing problems * Cyanosis (bluish skin due to not enough oxygen in the blood) * Failure to grow and gain weight * Fatigue, especially when feeding * Frequent sinus or lung infections * Jaundice (yellow skin and eyes) * Pallor (very pale skin)

Diagnosis

Dextrocardia is usually diagnosed during a routine imaging exam, such as a chest X-ray, or when a health care provider is evaluating other heart problems. Sometimes the condition is never diagnosed if there are no symptoms. Tests to look at the location and position of the heart may include: * Chest X-ray * CT scan of the heart * Echocardiogram (echo) * Electrocardiogram (ECG) * MRI of the heart

Treatment

In most cases, isolated dextrocardia does not require treatment. But many of the congenital conditions that accompany dextrocardia do require treatment, such as: * Antibiotics to manage respiratory infections * Medications to keep fluid out of the lungs * Medications to help the heart pump blood more efficiently * Pacemakers for certain heart problems, such as arrhythmias * Surgery for congenital heart defects or problems with organs in the chest or abdomen

Note

☝ We provide information on prescription and over-the-counter medicines, diagnosis, procedures and lab tests. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

National Institutes of Health ∙ World Health Organization ∙ MedlinePluse ∙ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

☝ All information has been reviewed by certified physicians from Alike

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