Heterotaxy, also referred to as isomerism of the atrial appendages, is defined as an abnormal assembly of the thoracic and abdominal organs from the normal arrangement known as "situs solitus." It is caused by disruption of left-right axis orientation during early embryonic development.

How long can you live with heterotaxy?

The prognosis of uncorrected univentricular hearts are usually poor, and their median survival time are usually limited to 14 years (death rate of 4.8% per year) [12]. However, there were reports on patients with single ventricle who have survived to adulthood without surgery.

What causes heterotaxy?

Heterotaxy may be caused by genetic changes ( mutations ), exposures to toxins while a woman is pregnant causing the baby to have heterotaxy, or the condition may occur sporadically. The condition is typically diagnosed through imaging such as an echocardiogram or an MRI .