title: Ectopia cordis: autopsy findings in four cases.
abstract: Ectopia cordis (EC) is a rare congenital malformation characterized by the abnormal position of the heart outside the thorax. Since it is often associated with intracardiac anomalies, an adequate surgical approach requires a precise knowledge of the intra- and extracardiac morbid anatomy. We report 4 cases of EC with a detailed description of intracardiac findings at autopsy. The associated malformations were severe and aggravated the outcome. Intracardiac anomalies are sometimes mild, but can be associated with a severe extracardiac defect.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Instituto Nacional de Pediatría, Secretaría de Salud, D.F. Mexico.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Medina-Escobedo
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Reyes-Mugica
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Arteaga-Martinez
mesh_terms: D000005:Abdomen / Q000002:abnormalities; D000015:Abnormalities, Multiple / Q000473:pathology; D002102:Cadaver; D005260:Female; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D013249:Sternum / Q000002:abnormalities; D013909:Thorax / Q000002:abnormalities