Successful Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery in a Patient with Situs Inversus Totalis

Abstract

Dextrocardia and situs inversus totalis are rare congenital anomalies that present technical challenges in cardiac surgery. We report a successful coronary artery bypass grafting procedure in a 58-year-old male patient with dextrocardia and situs inversus totalis, who presented with chest pain and had known cardiovascular risk factors. Coronary angiography revealed critical stenoses in the left anterior descending (LAD) artery and the obtuse marginal 1 (OM1) branch of the circumflex artery. Due to the patient’s mirror-image anatomy, the surgeon was positioned on the left side of the table, while the cardiopulmonary bypass machine was placed in its routine position facing the surgeon. Cannulation was performed from the patient’s right side, in line with the surgeon’s dominant hand. The right internal mammary artery was grafted to the LAD, and a saphenous vein graft was used for the OM1 branch. The operation and post-operative course were uneventful, and the patient was discharged successfully. This case highlights that, despite anatomical challenges, careful surgical planning and effective team coordination can lead to favorable outcomes in patients with rare variations such as dextrocardia and situs inversus totalis.

Cite This Article: Guseinov Z, Türe O, Kocaaslan C, Aydın E. Successful Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery in a Patient with Situs Inversus Totalis. Koşuyolu Heart J 2026;29(3):234–237.