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Ectopia cordis: a rare congenital anomaly

Abigail Gabriel1, Joseph Donnelly, Alexander Kuc

  • 1Department of Anatomical Sciences, St. George's University, School of Medicine, Grenada, West Indies; Department of Internal Medicine, Harlem Hospital, New York, New York.

Clinical Anatomy (New York, N.Y.)
|April 23, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Ectopia cordis (EC) is a rare congenital heart anomaly where the heart is outside the chest. This review covers its history, causes, symptoms, and management.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Developmental Biology
  • Medical Genetics

Background:

  • Ectopia cordis (EC) is a rare congenital anomaly characterized by the heart's abnormal positioning outside the thoracic cavity.
  • This condition presents a spectrum of anatomical locations, including cervical, thoracic, and abdominal regions, often associated with a split sternum.

Observation:

  • Since the early 1600s, only 91 cases of EC have been documented in medical literature, highlighting its extreme rarity.
  • The review synthesizes historical data, prevalence rates, and etiological factors contributing to EC.

Findings:

  • Morphological variations, clinical presentations, and associated symptoms of EC are detailed.
  • Complications, diagnostic strategies, and current treatment and management approaches are discussed.

Implications:

  • Understanding EC's multifaceted aspects is crucial for improving diagnostic accuracy and therapeutic interventions.
  • This review provides a comprehensive resource for clinicians and researchers managing this complex congenital defect.

Keywords:
abdominalcervicalcongenital cardiac anomalyectopia cordisthoracoabdominal

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