Heart anomalies

Anomalies of the location of the heart can be the result of both the incorrect development of the heart itself and be formed under the influence of extracardiac( out-of-cardiac) causes.

In the analysis of cardiac abnormalities, the following terms are used:

1) "dextrocardia", "mirror dextrocardia" - a right-handed heart, accompanied by a reverse arrangement( inversion) of internal organs;

2) "dextrose" - a right-headed heart without inversion of internal organs;

3) "cardiac dextrastination" - right heart displacement under the influence of extracardiac factors;

4) "left-handed" - left-handed heart with inversion of internal organs;

5) "left version" is a left-handed heart without a reverse location( inversion) of the abdominal organs.

Examination of persons with an abnormal position of the heart has a number of characteristics. In this case, the type of position of the heart, the anatomical structure of defects, the nature of the movement of the blood are established. The location of the atria can be judged from the location of internal organs: the right atrium is located on the same side as the liver. The position of the right atrium and ventricles can be recognized by the results of the ECG.When angiocardiography( a study of the heart by introducing a contrast medium into his chambers and subsequent chest radiography) clarifies the features of the internal structure of each chamber. The location of the liver in the middle of the abdominal cavity indicates an indefinitely formed heart. Crucial importance in establishing the vice belongs to the catheterization of the heart cavities and angiocardiography.

Dextroseia is a right-sided disposition of the heart in the normal position of the liver. With this vice, the spatial relationships between the right and left divisions are changed, but their normal structure is preserved. Without the accompanying vices, the prognosis is favorable. If any, then on the right side there is a heart hump.

Mesocardia, mesoversion is the middle position of the heart in the normal location of the atria and the liver. It is rare( 9% of all anomalies of the position of the heart), usually a random finding, if not combined with another congenital heart disease.

Levocardia - cases with left-sided disposition of both the heart and the liver. The frequency of such a defect is 0.8% of all congenital heart defects. The location and interrelation of the chambers of the heart, the separation of the main vessels are normal. As a rule, vice is combined with an anomaly of the hollow veins.

Mirror dextrocardia is a right-headed heart with left-handed liver and right atrium. This localization of the heart and abdominal organs occurs in 27% of patients with anomalies of the position of the heart. The frequency of congenital heart defects with mirror dextrocardia is 6-8%( more often it is the tetralogy of Fallot, corrected transposition of the main vessels, defect of the interventricular septum).

Levocardia - the heart is located on the left, the liver is localized there.

Undefined heart( visceral heterotaxis syndrome) is often combined with the absence of the spleen. In all cases, there is a common atrium, defects of atrioventricular valves, anomalies in the formation and arrangement of the hollow veins, abnormal drainage of the pulmonary veins. The heart is more often located on the right. The liver can be located in the middle of the thorax, rarely on the right or left. As a rule, the indefinite heart is combined with the combined vices, and most children die in the first year of life.

With anomalies of the location of the heart, surgical treatment is performed.