Complications Of Dextrocardia

Blocked Intestines

Dextrocardia can cause blocked intestines if the heart is placed in a location where it gets in the way of abdominal organs. In addition, the intestines themselves may be placed in the wrong part of the body, causing them to get squished against other organs. The intestines may also be twisted the wrong way, resulting in a blockage. When this happens, it is called intestinal malrotation, and the typical treatment for this is surgical intervention. The surgeon will do whatever is necessary to prevent more intestinal blockages, but if the intestines or other organs are on the wrong side of the body, the surgeon cannot move them to the correct side.

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Increased Risk And Frequency Of Pneumonia

The lungs are sometimes affected by dextrocardia. For example, it is common for individuals with this condition to not have enough cilia, tiny structures inside the mucosa of the lungs, in their lungs. Cilia resemble little hairs and their function is to keep the lungs and airways clean by filtering out harmful particles in the air. These harmful particles can include smoke, chemical pollutants, and allergens. Not having enough of these cilia can lead to increased risk and frequency of pneumonia. Individuals with dextrocardia may also have a defect in the pleura, which is the tissue around the lungs. This can lead to pneumonia and other lung diseases as well.

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