Left side approach for aortic valve replacement in patient with dextrocardia and situs inversus totalis

Abstract

Aortic valve replacement in patients with dextrocardia and situs inversus totalis is technically challenging due to anatomical considerations. Modifications of the cannulation strategy and operative tool sets are helpful. We report a 47-year-old man who had dextrocardia with situs inversus totalis with severe aortic regurgitation. Our approach was precisely planned depending on the clear anatomy outlined by preoperative contrast-enhanced computed tomography of the chest. We used a surgical approach in which the main surgeon was standing on the left side of the patient. Left sided approach provided excellent exposure for aortic valve replacement in this case scenario.

Keywords

• Aortic valve regurgitation
• Cannulation
• Dextrocardia
• Situs inversus