Levocardia

Levocardia refers to the normal positioning of the heart within the left side of the thoracic cavity. This diagnosis is typically made in the context of situs inversus, where other organs are transposed, but the heart remains in its usual left-sided location. It indicates a discordance between the situs of the heart and the situs of the abdominal organs.

This code is used when a patient presents with situs inversus of the abdominal organs (e.g., liver on the left, spleen on the right) but the heart is anatomically positioned on the left side of the chest. Documentation should clearly state "situs inversus with levocardia" or similar findings from imaging studies (e.g., echocardiogram, CT scan).

• Always confirm the laterality of other organs when documenting levocardia; it's often associated with situs inversus.
• Do not confuse with dextrocardia (heart on the right side) or mesocardia (heart in the midline).
• Sequence this code after any congenital anomalies or conditions that led to the investigation of situs.