Dextrocardia with situs inversus totalis: coronary artery bypass grafting

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Surgery
• Congenital Heart Disease
• Surgical Anatomy

Background:

• Dextrocardia with situs inversus is a rare congenital condition where visceral organs are mirrored.
• Coronary artery disease (CAD) incidence is similar to the general population in patients with dextrocardia.
• Surgical approaches for CAD in dextrocardia require adaptation due to anatomical variations.

Observation:

• This report details two cases of patients diagnosed with dextrocardia and situs inversus who subsequently developed coronary artery disease.
• Both patients successfully underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

Findings:

• Coronary artery bypass grafting in dextrocardia with situs inversus is feasible.
• The right internal mammary artery is suggested as the preferred graft for the anterior descending artery in situs inversus cases.
• A slight modification in surgical technique was employed and is discussed.

Implications:

• These findings highlight the importance of tailored surgical strategies for CABG in patients with dextrocardia.
• Successful surgical outcomes can be achieved with careful planning and adaptation of standard techniques.
• Further research into optimal surgical techniques for this rare condition is warranted.