Dextrocardia como hallazgo incidental: revisión a partir de un caso / Dextrocardia as incidental finding: review from a case

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Dextrocardia is characterized by the positioning of the heart to the right of the thoracic cavity, usually with the apex oriented to the right and its inverse anatomy 1,2. It is a rare congenital pathology that can be associated with other congenital cardiac anomalies, as well as a change in position of all thoracoabdominal structures 1-4. Its diagnosis in adult life is usually incidental. We present the clinical case of a 64-year-old man with an electrocardiogram that showed deviation of the QRS complex axis to the extreme right and a physical examination compatible with dextrocardia, which was later confirmed with images. OBJECTIVES: To review the medical literature related to the diagnosis of dextrocardia through the presentation of a clinical case. METHODS: The clinical data of the case were collected by means of anamnesis, physical examination and specialized exams of the patient, as well as his clinical file. The literary review was made using the MEDLINE® search engine for scientific journals. RESULTS: Dextrocardia affects less than 1% of the general population according to the studies reviewed. Its importance lies in the association with other congenital pathologies such as cardiac and extracardiac structural malformations, which increases morbidity and mortality in this group of patients. It is imperative, when suspected, complete the study with images that allow confirming or ruling out other structural anomalies.