Unique types of criss-cross heart

Jpn Circ J. 1985 Mar;49(3):329-34. doi: 10.1253/jcj.49.329.

Abstract

Three cases of criss-cross heart which we have observed during last five years are described. All of these cases were diagnosed by angiocardiography and two-dimensional echocardiography, and one of them was verified by autopsy. Two of them are unique among cases reported thus far. Case 1 shows ordinary criss-crossing with supero-inferior ventricle, and case 2, extreme crossing atrioventricular (A-V) valves, in which the right-sided right atrium connects to the left posteriorly positioned right ventricle through the tricuspid valve, and the left-sided left atrium to the right anterior left ventricle via a posteriorly positioned mitral valve. In case 3, the criss-cross appearance is secondary to displacement of the heart by compression caused by a diaphragmatic hernia. Findings in these cases suggest that criss-cross heart is caused not only by primary rotation of the ventricles during cardiac morphogenesis but also by secondary rotation of a formed heart induced by extracardiac compression. The degree of rotation in these cases revealed a wide spectrum from minimal to extreme. In addition, subxiphoid two-dimensional contrast echocardiography is recommended as the only accurate method of non-invasive diagnosis of this condition.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Angiocardiography
  • Aorta / abnormalities
  • Ductus Arteriosus, Patent / complications
  • Echocardiography / methods
  • Heart Defects, Congenital / diagnosis*
  • Heart Defects, Congenital / pathology
  • Heart Septal Defects, Atrial / complications
  • Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular / complications
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Male
  • Transposition of Great Vessels / complications
  • Vena Cava, Superior / abnormalities