HEART-LUNG TRANSPLANTATION IN SITUS-INVERSUS

Reconstruction was accomplished in 2 heart-lung recipients with situs inversus resulting in a left-sided systemic venous atrium. We created a large common atrium that was closed on the left side, leaving an atr ial cuff on the inferior right quadrant. To this we anastomosed the do nor right atrium, which had been opened laterally between the cavae. T his resulted in some clockwise rotation of the ventricles and anterior positioning of the apex. The right pulmonary veins passed superior to the atrial anastomosis and posterior to the donor right atrium. Cardi opulmonary function was excellent in both cases.