CARDIOSPLENIC SYNDROMES

- ASPLENIA

- POLYSPLENIA

Cardiosplenic syndromes are defects in lateralization in which symmetric development of normally asymmetric organs or organ systems occur.

The fetus thus has either two left or two right sides. Unpaired splanchnic organs such as liver, stomach and spleen may be absent, midline or duplicated.

Although the two syndromes are separate entities, they have many characteristics in common, including situs inversus, situs ambiguous of various visceral organs and complex congenital heart defects.

Cardiosplenic syndromes should be considered when congenital heart disease occurs in conjunction with an arrhythmia.

SYNDROMES

Two syndromes are described:

• Asplenia (Ivermark's Syndrome (right isomerism)
• Polysplenia (left isomerism)

INCIDENCE OF CARDIOVASCULAR ABNORMALITIES

Link to Incidence of cardiovascular abnormalities