Mesocardia

Mesocardia is a rare congenital cardiac positional anomaly in which the heart is located in the midline of the chest rather than in its normal position slightly to the left (levocardia) or abnormally displaced to the right (dextrocardia). In mesocardia, the cardiac apex does not point distinctly to either the left or the right but is oriented centrally. This condition primarily affects the cardiovascular system and may occur as an isolated finding or in association with other congenital heart defects, such as septal defects, transposition of the great arteries, or other complex cardiac malformations. It can also be associated with abnormalities of visceral situs (the arrangement of abdominal organs). Mesocardia is often discovered incidentally on chest radiography or echocardiography. When it occurs in isolation without associated structural heart defects, it may be clinically silent and not cause any symptoms. However, when accompanied by other congenital cardiac anomalies, patients may present with symptoms such as cyanosis, heart failure, failure to thrive, or exercise intolerance, depending on the nature and severity of the associated defects. Diagnosis is typically confirmed through imaging studies including echocardiography, chest X-ray, and sometimes cardiac MRI or CT to fully delineate cardiac anatomy and situs. There is no specific treatment for mesocardia itself when it is an isolated finding, as the midline position of the heart alone does not impair cardiac function. Management is directed at any associated congenital heart defects, which may require surgical intervention or medical therapy. Long-term prognosis depends largely on the presence and severity of accompanying cardiac malformations. Patients with isolated mesocardia generally have an excellent prognosis and may require only periodic cardiac follow-up.

Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.

Common questions about Mesocardia