Isolated levocardia: prenatal diagnosis, clinical importance, and literature review

Abstract

Objective: Isolated levocardia is a rare type of situs inversus in which the heart is in the normal levo position, but the abdominal viscera are in the dextro position. We aim to describe our experience with prenatal diagnosis and management in fetuses with isolated levocardia.

Methods: Of all the cases referred to our tertiary ultrasound unit, 3 cases of isolated levocardia were diagnosed. Patients and fetuses were evaluated every 4 weeks until delivery and postnatally.

Results: Two of the 3 fetuses had interruption of the inferior vena cava with azygous continuation. However, postnatal evaluation revealed polysplenia in 1 neonate and asplenia in another. Polysplenia was also diagnosed in the third neonate, who had a normal inferior vena cava on antenatal examination. One neonate had a small ventricular septal defect.

Conclusions: Fetal isolated levocardia is associated with a good outcome, in which other malformations are excluded. Therefore, we suggest conservative management in such cases.