Dextrocardia

Normally, the heart is found on the left side of the chest. Dextrocardia means that the heart is on the right side of the chest.

With dextrocardia, other organs, such as the abdominal organs, can also be in the reverse position. Dextrocardia can also occur alongside other abnormalities of the heart’s structure.

This is a rare condition. If the heart has developed normally and there are no structural abnormalities, dextrocardia does not pose any problems and no treatment will be necessary. If a child with dextrocardia also has a structural heart abnormality (congenital heart disease) , treatment may be required.

How is dextrocardia diagnosed?

In children with dextrocardia and a normally developed heart (normal structure), dextrocardia is often diagnosed when heart sounds heard through a stethoscope appear louder on the right side of the chest, or by chance when a chest X-ray is performed for another reason.

In children with other affected organs or congenital heart disease, dextrocardia may be confirmed when diagnostic tests are being performed for a child with symptoms such as breathing difficulty or cyanosis. A chest X-ray, ECG and echocardiogram are used to evaluate the structure of the heart.