Dextrotorsion of the Heart

Cardiac dextrotorsion is a congenital anomaly in which the heart rotates to the right relative to the longitudinal axis of the body.

In its normal position, the heart is located on the left side of the chest, its apex is directed to the left and posteriorly, and its base is directed to the right. With dextrotorsion, the heart is displaced to the right, and its apex rotates to the right and anteriorly.

This leads to a change in the normal arrangement of the heart chambers and great vessels. The left atrium and left ventricle are on the right, and the right atrium and right ventricle are on the left. The pulmonary trunk and aorta also change places.

The causes of cardiac dextrotorsion are not completely clear. It is assumed that this is due to disturbances during embryonic development. This anomaly is diagnosed mainly using ECG, echocardiography, MRI and CT of the heart.

Cardiac dextrotorsion usually does not cause significant hemodynamic disturbances and can be asymptomatic for a long time. However, in some cases it is associated with other congenital heart defects, which requires surgical correction. Therefore, when dextrotorsion is detected, a thorough examination is necessary to exclude concomitant pathology.