Actualización sobre el Síndrome de Heterotaxia en relación a un caso clínico
Update on Fetal Heterotaxy Syndrome in relation to a clinical case
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.56754/0718-9958.2025.269Keywords:
Sindrome de Heterotaxia, Isomerismo, Anomalías CongénitasAbstract
Introduction: Heterotaxy syndrome (HS) is a rare congenital malformation that occurs during embryonic development as a result of simultaneous alterations in the primary developmental field. These anomalies disrupt normal left-right lateralization, leading to an abnormal body axis pattern. It is classified into two main variants: right isomerism and left isomerism. The prognosis is primarily determined by the associated cardiac malformations.
Case Presentation: This article presents the case of a patient referred to Maternal-Fetal Medicine due to suspected cardiac anomalies on fetal ultrasound. A more comprehensive diagnostic evaluation was conducted, confirming the presence of HS during the second trimester of pregnancy. The diagnostic process, associated malformations, and clinical follow-up of this case—corresponding to right isomerism—are described.
Discussion: The clinical findings were analyzed and compared with an extensive review of the literature, providing a comprehensive perspective on the diagnostic evaluation, evolution and prognosis of this syndrome. Prenatal detection through fetal echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging is crucial for characterizing the anatomy and planning individualized care.
References
Degenhardt K, Rychik J. Fetal situs, isomerism, heterotaxy syndrome: diagnostic evaluation and implication for postnatal management. Curr Treat Options Cardiovasc Med. 2016 Dec;18(12):77. doi:10.1007/s11936-016-0494-2. PMID: 27844411.
Schmidt LI, Zárate LN, Antoniazzi Pozzer GG, Sandoval Obregón J, Perrotta Villacorta MP, Mijalec A, Abuin G, Gorodner AM. Síndrome de Heterotaxia: Un caso raro y mortal de malformación congénita. Rev Argent Anat Online. 2024;15(3):101-5. Disponible en: https://www.revista-anatomia.com.ar/archivos-parciales/2024-3-revista-argentina-de-anatomia-online-c.pdf
Ortega-Zhindón DB, Flores-Sarria IP, Minakata-Quiróga MA, Angulo-Cruzado ST, Romero-Montalvo LA, Cervantes-Salazar JL. Isomorfismo cardiaco: una perspectiva multidisciplinaria. Arch Cardiol Méx. 2021 Dec;91(4):470-9. doi:10.24875/acm.20000567. Epub 2021 Dec 6. Disponible en: http://www.scielo.org.mx/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1405-99402021000400470
Routhu M, Mohammad IA. Pre natal evaluation of heterotaxy syndrome by fetal echocardiography and correlating with autopsy. Ultrasound. 2019 May;27(2):111-121. doi: 10.1177/1742271X19836259. Epub 2019 Mar 19. PMID: 31037095; PMCID: PMC6475975.
Santiago-Sanabria L, Morales-Martínez ÓG, Alonso-León MC, Sanabria-Villegas LC, Ignacio-García MG, Flores-Gutiérrez E, et al. Evaluación prenatal del síndrome de heterotaxia por ecografía fetal. Perinatol Reprod Hum. 2023 Jun;37(2):84-9. doi:10.24875/per.23000010. Epub 2023 Oct 2. Disponible en: http://www.scielo.org.mx/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0187-53372023000200084
Buca D, Prefumo F, Khalil A, Giuliani S, Pagani G, Fratelli N, et al. Outcome of prenatally diagnosed fetal heterotaxy: systematic review. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 2017;49(2):265–76. doi:10.1002/uog.17546.
Mertens L, Van Praagh R, del Nido PJ. Heterotaxy (isomerism of the atrial appendages): Anatomy, clinical features, and diagnosis [Internet]. UpToDate. Disponible en: https://www.uptodate.com/contents/heterotaxy-isomerism-of-the-atrial-appendages-anatomy-clinical-features-and-diagnosis
Akalın M, Demirci O, Kumru P, Yücel İK. Heterotaxy syndrome: Prenatal diagnosis, concomitant malformations and outcomes. Prenat Diagn. 2022 Apr;42(4):435-46. doi:10.1002/pd.6110. Epub 2022 Feb 4. PMID: 35102577.
Sociedad Española de Ginecología y Obstetricia (SEGO). Guía de la exploración ecográfica del corazón fetal. Prog Obstet Ginecol. 2020;63(6):365–402. Disponible en: https://sego.es/documentos/progresos/v63-2020/n6/04%20Guia%20de%20la%20exploracion%20ecografica%20del%20corazon%20fetal.pdf
Seidl-Mlczoch E, Kasprian G, Ba-Ssalamah A, Stuempflen M, Kitzmueller E, Muin DA, et al. Characterization of phenotypic spectrum of fetal heterotaxy syndrome by combining ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 2021 Dec;58(6):837-45. doi:10.1002/uog.23705. PMID: 34097330; PMCID: PMC9299896.
Romanowicz J, Sinha P, Donofrio MT, Schidlow DN. Predicting cardiac anatomy, physiology, and surgical management based on fetal echocardiography in heterotaxy syndrome. Am J Perinatol. 2023 Jul;40(10):1081-7. doi:10.1055/s-0041-1732457. Epub 2021 Jul 19. PMID: 34282574.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
Categories
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Francisca Gajardo Concha, Javiera Sanhueza Gallegos

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.