Dextrocardia litterally means "heart on the right". If the developing heart tube bends to the left instead of the right, then the heart is displaced to the right and develops in a mirror image of its normal state. It is interesting to note that identical twins are sometimes "mirror images" of each other, one having organs in the normal positions and one having them on the opposite side of the body. This is a condition called situs inversus.
Having dextrocardia does not mean the heart is defective, it just means that it is on the right instead of the left side of the body. Assuming there are no associated vascular abnormalities, then the heart functions normally.
In cases where the heart is the only organ which is transposed, known as isolated dextrocardia, there are usually other severe cardiac abnormalities. Dextrocardia can complicate heart defect treatments in that it can make surgery even more difficult, and heart transplants for patients with dextrocardia are more difficult since the anatomy of the donor and recipient don't match.
Having dextrocardia does not mean the heart is defective, it just means that it is on the right instead of the left side of the body. Assuming there are no associated vascular abnormalities, then the heart functions normally.
In cases where the heart is the only organ which is transposed, known as isolated dextrocardia, there are usually other severe cardiac abnormalities. Dextrocardia can complicate heart defect treatments in that it can make surgery even more difficult, and heart transplants for patients with dextrocardia are more difficult since the anatomy of the donor and recipient don't match.