Evaluating the Association Between Fibrinogen and Rotational Thromboelastometry and the Progression to Severe Obstetric Hemorrhage.

AIM: This study aims to investigate the ability of fibrinogen and rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM) parameters measured at obstetric hemorrhage protocol initiation to predict severe hemorrhage. METHODS: In this retrospective study we included patients whose hemorrhage was managed with an obstetric massive transfusion protocol. Fibrinogen and ROTEM parameters EXTEM clotting time (CT), clot formation time (CFT), alpha angle, A10, A20, lysis index 30 min after CT (LI30), FIBTEM A10, A20, were measured at initiation of the protocol with transfusion based on a predefined algorithm. Patients were grouped into either severe or nonsevere hemorrhage based on: peripartum fall in hemoglobin ≥4 g/dL, transfusion of ≥4 units of blood product, invasive procedures for hemorrhage control, intensive care unit admission, or death. RESULTS: Of the 155 patients included, 108 (70%) progressed to severe hemorrhage. Fibrinogen, EXTEM alpha angle, A10, A20, FIBTEM A10, A20 were significantly lower in the severe hemorrhage group while the CFT was significantly prolonged in the severe hemorrhage group. In univariate analysis, predicted progression to severe hemorrhage yielded areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (95% confidence interval [CI]) of: fibrinogen: 0.683 (0.591-0.776), CFT: 0.671 (0.553, 0.789), EXTEM alpha angle: 0.690 (0.577-0.803), A10: 0.693 (0.570-0.815), A20: 0.678 (0.563-0.793), FIBTEM A10: 0.726 (0.605-0.847), and A20: 0.709 (0.594-0.824). In a multivariable model, fibrinogen was independently associated with severe hemorrhage (odds ratio [95% CI] = 1.037 [1.009-1.066]) for every 50 mg/dL decrease in fibrinogen drawn at obstetric hemorrhage massive transfusion protocol initiation. CONCLUSION: Both fibrinogen and ROTEM parameters measured at the initiation of an obstetric hemorrhage protocol are useful parameters for predicting severe hemorrhage.

Sonographic Evaluation of the Placenta in Fontan Patients: A Case Series.

Due to the advancements in pediatric cardiothoracic surgery and medical management, more individuals with congenital heart disease are reaching reproductive age. It is well established that individuals with Fontan circulation are at an increased risk for maternal and fetal adverse outcomes including maternal cardiovascular complications, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, preterm birth, and fetal growth restriction. Early onset of poor placental health likely related to chronically elevated central venous pressure/low cardiac output inherited to Fontan circulation may play a role in the development of these outcomes. In this case series, we present second-trimester placental imaging findings and pregnancy outcomes of three individuals with Fontan circulation who delivered at a tertiary center in the Southeastern United States.

The Role of Family Members in Providing Support For Malawian Women With Preterm Infants During Infant Hospitalization.

Purpose: Family support is essential for women with preterm infants during hospitalization. In low-income countries, the additional burden of infant care due to shortages in nursing staff necessitates that family members (guardians) be physically present to care for woman and the infant. The purpose of this study was to explore the types of support that Malawian women of preterm infants need during hospitalization. Methods: This descriptive qualitative study was conducted at a tertiary level hospital in southern Malawi. We recruited 15 women with preterm infants during hospitalization and conducted in-depth interviews. Data was audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using NVivo. Results: The postpartum women participating this study preferred females and members of the maternal side of their family for guardians. Participants' support needs included physical, financial, emotional, and spiritual support. Barriers such as financial constraints and the lack of accommodations for guardians had left the participants without support persons physically present to help them.

Experiences of Malawian Mothers During Their Infants' Hospitalization.

BACKGROUND: Hospitalization of a newborn infant is stressful for all mothers. Hospitals in Malawi have limited nursing staff and support, so mothers are the primary care providers for their hospitalized infants. Few studies have explored the experience of these mothers as both care providers and mothers. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of mothers during the hospitalization of the infant. The goal was to increase knowledge of their primary concerns about the hospital stay. METHODS: This was a descriptive qualitative study conducted at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Malawi. Mothers were interviewed prior to their infant's discharge. We used the directed content analysis approach to analyze our data. RESULTS: Twenty mothers of preterm or full-term infants were interviewed. The primary concerns were perinatal experiences, the infant's condition and care including breastfeeding, support from family members, and support and care from healthcare providers. Additionally, mothers of preterm infants were concerned about the burdens of kangaroo mother care. IMPLICATION FOR PRACTICE: In hospitals that provide limited nursing support to mothers and their infants, it is important to identify a support system for the mother and provide mothers with information on infant care. IMPLICATIONS FOR RESEARCH: Future research should identify specific supports and resources in the community and hospital settings that are associated with positive hospital experiences.

Risk Factors for Adverse Maternal Outcomes following Expectantly Managed Preterm Prelabor Rupture of Membranes.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to characterize the incidence and risk factors associated with developing maternal morbidity following preterm prelabor rupture of membranes. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case-control study of patients with preterm prelabor rupture of membranes at a single institution from 2013 to 2019 admitted at ≥23 weeks gestational age. The primary outcome was a composite of maternal morbidity which included: death, sepsis, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, acute kidney injury, postpartum dilation and curettage, postpartum hysterectomy, venous thromboembolism, postpartum hemorrhage, postpartum wound complication, postpartum endometritis, pelvic abscess, postpartum pneumonia, readmission, and/or need for blood transfusion were compared with patients without above morbidities. Severe morbidity was defined as: death, ICU admission, venous thromboembolism, acute kidney injury, postpartum hysterectomy, sepsis, and/or transfusion >2 units. Demographics, antenatal, and delivery characteristics were compared between patients with and without maternal morbidity. Bivariate statistics and regression models were used to compare outcomes and calculate adjusted odd ratios. RESULTS: Of 361 included patients, 64 patients (17.7%) experienced maternal morbidity and nine (2.5%) had severe morbidity. Patients who experienced maternal morbidity were significantly (p < 0.05) more likely to be older, have private insurance, have BMI ≥40, have chorioamnionitis at delivery, and undergo cesarean or operative vaginal delivery when compared with patients who did not experience morbidity. After controlling for confounders, cesarean delivery (aOR 2.38, 95% CI[1.30,4.39]), body mass index ≥40 at admission (aOR 2.54, 95% CI[1.12,5.79]), private insurance (aOR 3.08, 95% CI[1.54,6.16]), and tobacco use (aOR 3.43, 95% CI[1.58,7.48]) were associated with increased odds of maternal morbidity. CONCLUSION: In this cohort, maternal morbidity occurred in 17.7% of patients with preterm prelabor rupture of membranes. Private insurance, body mass index ≥40, tobacco use, and cesarean delivery were associated with higher odds of morbidity. These data can be used in counseling and to advocate for smoking cessation. KEY POINTS: · 17.7% of patients with PPROM experienced maternal morbidity.. · BMI ≥40 was associated with higher odds of maternal morbidity.. · Tobacco use and cesarean delivery were associated with higher odds of maternal morbidity..

Assessment of perinatal outcomes of pregnant women with severe versus simple malaria.

OBJECTIVE: Malaria in pregnancy is associated with adverse perinatal outcomes. The objective was to compare outcomes of simple and severe malaria and to determine whether they vary by trimester or severity of infection. METHODS: Prospective cohort study performed in 3 hospitals in Rwanda. Both hospitalized and non-hospitalized pregnant patients with confirmed malaria were enrolled and followed until 7 days postpartum. Demographic, clinical manifestations and perinatal outcomes were recorded. RESULTS: There were 446 pregnant women with confirmed malaria and outcome data; 361 (80.9%) had simple malaria. Severe malaria was more common as pregnancy progressed; out of 85 with severe malaria, 12.9%, 29.4% and 57.6% were in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimesters (p<0.0001). Overall, a normal term delivery occurred in 57.6%, with preterm delivery in 24.9% and abortion in 13.5%. Adverse perinatal outcomes increased with trimester of infection (p<0.0001). Eight of the 9 early neonatal deaths had 3rd trimester infection (p<0.0001). There were 27 stillbirths; 63.7% were associated with 3rd trimester infection. A significant difference in perinatal outcomes between simple and severe malaria was seen: 64% of women with simple malaria had a normal term delivery as compared to 30.6% with severe malaria (p<0.0001). All complications were significantly greater with severe malaria. CONCLUSION: Overall poor outcomes are seen in malaria with significant differences in perinatal outcomes between simple and severe malaria and by trimester of infection. In addition to vector control and exposure prevention, efforts need to be made in screening, treatment education and monitoring pregnancies affected by malaria.

Black women health inequity: The origin of perinatal health disparity.

Black enslaved women endured sexual exploitation and reproductive manipulation to produce a labor workforce on the southern plantations during the Antebellum Period. Health care inequity has continued from slavery and into the 21th century primarily due of racial segregation, poverty, access, poor quality of care, eugenics and the assault of forced sterilizations. Racial disparity in maternal and infant mortality is an outcome rooted in racial injustice, social and economic determinants as well as the stresses during pregnancy throughout the generations of Black births. Affordable, available, quality and equitable care and narrowing the economic gap for Black women and families is the most significant barrier in combating racial disparity in perinatal health outcomes and health inequity.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Severe Maternal Morbidity.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) accompanies miscarriage, intrauterine fetal demise, and preterm birth. Levels of PTSD may be higher for women who experience acute, life-threatening events during labor and delivery. Severe maternal morbidities or near misses for maternal death disproportionately impact African American, Hispanic, American Indian, and women in rural communities. Expanding research demonstrates association between severe maternal morbidity or near-miss events and PTSD. Multiple preceding conditions and intrapartum and postpartum events place women at higher risk for PTSD. Postpartum evaluation provides an opportunity for PTSD screening. Untreated perinatal PTSD impacts long-term maternal and child health and contributes to health disparities.

Obstetrics and Gynecology Residents Can Accurately Classify Benign Ovarian Tumors Using the International Ovarian Tumor Analysis Rules.

OBJECTIVES: Recognition of benign versus malignant tumors is essential in gynecologic ultrasound (US). The International Ovarian Tumor Analysis (IOTA) rules have been proposed as part of resident US training. The objective of this study was to examine whether they could be accurately used by obstetrics and gynecology residents in Rwanda. METHODS: Patients undergoing explorative laparotomy for adnexal masses at the University Teaching Hospital of Kigali were included. Before the study, a didactic lecture on the IOTA rules for classifying adnexal masses was performed. Preoperative transabdominal US examinations were performed by residents at different levels of training, who were blinded to the results of prior US examinations. The IOTA classification was compared to the final pathologic diagnosis. RESULTS: There were 72 patients who underwent 116 US examinations. Only 15.5% of US examinations were considered inconclusive. First-year residents (12) correctly diagnosed 18 of 20 masses (90%) as benign and 4 of 4 as malignant. Second-year residents (9) classified 29 of 29 masses correctly. Third-year residents (10) accurately identified 21 of 22 (95.5%) as benign and 5 of 5 as malignant. Fourth-year residents (13) accurately identified 11 of 12 (91.7%) as benign and 6 of 6 as malignant. Therefore, 74 of 78 tumors (94.9%) considered benign by IOTA rules were confirmed by histologic results. Similarly, all 20 tumors classified as malignant were confirmed. Overall, the sensitivities to diagnose benign and malignant tumors by the IOTA rules were 83.3% and 100%, respectively. The positive and negative predictive values were 100% and 94.9%. There were no significant differences noted between residency years. CONCLUSIONS: All levels of Rwandan obstetrics and gynecology residents were able to use the IOTA rules to accurately distinguish benign from malignant tumors.

Addressing Maternal Deaths in North Carolina: Striving to Reach Zero.

Maternal mortality in North Carolina remains a challenge to families, health systems, and communities. The Maternal Mortality Review Committee is part of the process required to prevent these events. In this commentary, we present an abbreviated description of the 2014-2015 Maternal Mortality Review Committee report, set for publication in December, 2019.

Emotional distress in mothers of early-preterm infants, late-preterm infants, and full-term infants in Malawi.

BACKGROUND: Mothers of preterm infants, early or late, report more distress than mothers of full-term infants. Malawi has the highest preterm birth rate in the world, but nothing is known about the relation of preterm birth to maternal mental health. PURPOSE: To compare emotional distress among mothers of early-preterm, late-preterm, and full-term infants. METHODS: We recruited 28 mothers of early-preterm, 29 mothers of late-preterm, and 28 mothers of full-term infants. Emotional distress was assessed 24-72 hr following birth. One-way ANOVA and regression analysis were used to compare the three groups. FINDINGS: Mothers of early-preterm infants reported more distress symptoms than mothers of full-term infants, and scores of mothers of late-preterm infants fell between the other two groups. Having a support person present was associated with lower symptoms and caesarean birth was associated with more symptoms. DISCUSSION: Promoting maternal mental health is important following preterm birth and health care providers need to support mothers.

An Observational Study on Early Dyadic Interactive Behaviors of Mothers With Early-Preterm, Late-Preterm, and Full-Term Infants in Malawi.

BACKGROUND: Mother-infant interactions are necessary for infant growth and development. However, preterm birth is associated with less positive mother-infant interactions than full-term birth. Malawi has the highest preterm birth rate in the world, but studies of the mother-infant relationship in Malawi are limited and studies that observed mother-infant interactions could not be located. PURPOSE: This study explored mother-infant interactions among Malawian mothers of early-preterm, late-preterm, and full-term infants. METHODS: This observational study explored maternal and infant interactive behaviors. We recruited 83 mother-infant dyads (27 early-preterm, 29 late-preterm, and 27 full-term dyads). FINDINGS: Mothers of early-preterm infants looked at and rocked their infants less, and their infants looked at their mothers less, than mothers of either late-preterm infants or full-term infants. The infants in all groups were asleep most of the time, which contributed to low levels of interactive behaviors. Factors that were related to infant behaviors included marital status, maternal occupation, maternal education, infant medical complications, infant gender, history of neonatal deaths, and multiple births. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Our findings provide evidence about the need to encourage mothers to engage interactive behaviors with their infants. IMPLICATIONS FOR RESEARCH: Future studies of factors that contribute to positive interactions in Malawi are needed.

Increased Rwandan Access to Obstetrician-Gynecologists Through a U.S.-Rwanda Academic Training Partnership.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the first 5 years of the Human Resources for Health Rwanda program from the program onset in the July 2012-2016 academic years, and its effects on access to care through examination of: 1) the number of trained obstetrician-gynecologists (ob-gyns) who graduated from the University of Rwanda and the University of Rwanda-Human Resources for Health program and 2) a geospatial analysis of pregnant women's access to Rwandan public hospitals with trained ob-gyns. METHODS: We used GPS coordinates in this cross-sectional study to identify public (government) hospitals with ob-gyns in 2011 (before initiation of the program) compared with 2016 (year 5 of the program). We compared access to care for the years 2011 and 2016 through geocoding the proportion of pregnant women within 10 and 25 km from these hospitals and compared the travel time to these hospitals in the two time periods. We used a World Pop dataset of Rwandan pregnancies from 2015, ArcGIS for spatial operations, R for statistical analysis, zonal statistics for circular distances, and friction surface for travel time analysis. RESULTS: The number of ob-gyns in public hospitals increased from 14 to 49 nationally. Before the program, 18 residents graduated over a 7-year period (two residents per year); 33 graduated by year 5 (six residents per year). Rwandan faculty increased by 45%. In 2011, most providers were in the capital city. Between 2011 and 2016, the proportion of pregnant women living 10 km from an ob-gyn-staffed public hospital increased from 13.0% to 31.6%; within 25 km increased from 28.4% to 82.9%. Travel time analysis from 2011 to 2016 showed 49.1% of Rwandan women within 1 hour of a hospital and 85.6% within 2 hours. In 2016, this coverage increased to 87.5% and 98.3%, respectively. CONCLUSION: In 5 years, the Human Resources for Health Rwanda program improved the number of residency graduates in obstetrics and gynecology and nationwide access to these providers. The program reduced rural-urban disparities in access to ob-gyns.

An overview of advances in global maternal health: From broad to specific improvements.

After the declaration of the Millennium Development Goals in 2000 by the United Nations, many stakeholders allocated financial resources to "global maternal health." Research to expand care and improve delivery of maternal health services has exponentially increased. The present article highlights an overview, namely 10 of the health system, clinical, and technology-based advancements that have occurred in the past three decades in the field of global maternal health. The list of topics has been selected through the cumulative clinical and public health expertise of the authors and is certainly not exhaustive. Rather, the list is intended to provide a mapping of key topics arranged from broad to specific that span from the global policy level to the level of individual care. The list of health system, clinical, and technology-based advancements include: (10) Millennium Development Goals and Sustainable Development Goals; (9) Development of clinical training programs, including the potential for subspecialty development; (8) Prenatal care expansion and potential; (7) Decentralized health systems, including the use of skilled birth attendants; (6) Antiretroviral therapy for HIV; (5) Essential medicines; (4) Vaccines; (3) mHealth/eHealth; (2) Ultrasonography; and (1) Obstetric hemorrhage management. With the Sustainable Development Goals now underway, the field must build upon past successes to sustain maternal and neonatal well-being in the future global health agenda.

Using fetal scalp stimulation with Doppler ultrasonography to enhance intermittent auscultation in low-resource settings: a diagnostic trial from Tanzania.

BACKGROUND: Hypoxia during labor contributes to 2.2 million intrapartum and early neonatal deaths each year. An additional 0.6-1.0 million cases of life-long disability occur because of fetal hypoxia during labor. It is known that fetal heart rate changes in labor correspond to hypoxia and neurologic compromise, but a reliable, low-cost method for detecting these changes is not available. In this study we sought to compare the ability of a handheld Doppler device to detect accelerations as part of the fetal scalp stimulation test and to compare the diagnostic performance of routine intermittent auscultation with auscultation that is augmented with fetal scalp stimulation. METHODS: This non-randomized, pre- and post-diagnostic trial was conducted with 568 maternal-fetus pairs at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Center in Moshi, Tanzania. The first objective was to determine whether a handheld Doppler device could detect fetal accelerations in labor with reasonable accuracy as compared with a cardiotocography machine. We performed the fetal scalp stimulation test on 50 fetuses during labor using both a handheld Doppler and a cardiotocography machine and compared the outcomes for correlation using the kappa correlation coefficient. During the second objective, two groups of laboring women were monitored either with intermittent auscultation alone per routine protocol (N = 251) or with intermittent auscultation augmented with fetal scalp stimulation per study protocol(N = 267). Diagnostic accuracy of the monitoring method was determined by comparing umbilical cord blood gases immediately after birth with the predicted state of the baby based on monitoring. The analyses included sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values. RESULTS: The prevalence of fetal acidemia ranged from 15 to 20%. Adding the fetal scalp stimulation test to intermittent auscultation protocols improved the performance of intermittent auscultation for detecting severe acidemia (pH < 7.0) from 27 to 70% (p = 0.032). The negative predictive value of intermittent auscultation augmented with the fetal scalp stimulation test ranged from 88 to 99% for mild (pH < 7.2) to severe fetal acidemia. CONCLUSIONS: The fetal scalp stimulation test, conducted with a handheld Doppler, is feasible and accurate in a limited resource setting. It is a low-cost solution that merits further evaluation to reduce intrapartum stillbirth and neonatal death in low-income countries. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov ( NCT02862925 ).

Preventability of maternal near miss and mortality in Rwanda: A case series from the University Teaching Hospital of Kigali (CHUK).

OBJECTIVE: Assess the primary causes and preventability of maternal near misses (MNM) and mortalities (MM) at the largest tertiary referral hospital in Rwanda, Kigali University Teaching Hospital (CHUK). METHODS: We reviewed records for all women admitted to CHUK with pregnancy-related complications between January 1st, 2015 and December 31st, 2015. All maternal deaths and near misses, based on WHO near miss criteria were reviewed (Appendix A). A committee of physicians actively involved in the care of pregnant women in the obstetric-gynecology department reviewed all maternal near misses/ pregnancy-related deaths to determine the preventability of these outcomes. Preventability was assessed using the Three Delays Model.[1] Descriptive statistics were used to show qualitative and quantitative outcomes of the maternal near miss and mortality. RESULTS: We identified 121 maternal near miss (MNM) and maternal deaths. The most common causes of maternal near miss and maternal death were sepsis/severe systemic infection (33.9%), postpartum hemorrhage (28.1%), and complications from eclampsia (18.2%)/severe preeclampsia (5.8%)/. In our obstetric population, MNM and deaths occurred in 87.6% and 12.4% respectively. Facility level delays (diagnostic and therapeutic) through human error or mismanagement (provider issues) were the most common preventable factors accounting for 65.3% of preventable maternal near miss and 10.7% maternal deaths, respectively. Lack of supplies, blood, medicines, ICU space, and equipment (system issues) were responsible for 5.8% of preventable maternal near misses and 2.5% of preventable maternal deaths. Delays in seeking care contributed to 22.3% of cases and delays in arrival from home to care facilities resulted in 9.1% of near misses and mortalities. Cesarean delivery was the most common procedure associated with sepsis/death in our population. Previous cesarean delivery (24%) and obstructed/prolonged labor (13.2%) contributed to maternal near miss and mortalities. CONCLUSION: The most common preventable causes of MNM and deaths were medical errors, shortage of medical supplies, and lack of patient education/understanding of obstetric emergencies. Reduction in medical errors, improved supply/equipment availability and patient education in early recognition of pregnancy-related danger signs will reduce the majority of delays associated with MNM and mortality in our population.

Global disparities in maternal morbidity and mortality.

The disparity in maternal mortality for African American women remains one of the greatest public health inequities in the United States (US). To better understand approaches toward amelioration of these differences, we examine settings with similar disparities in maternal mortality and "near misses" based on race/ethnicity. This global analysis of disparities in maternal mortality/morbidity will focus on middle- and high-income countries (based on World Bank definitions) with multiethnic populations. Many countries with similar histories of slavery and forced migration demonstrate disparities in health outcomes based on social determinants such as race/ethnicity. We highlight comparisons in the Americas between the US and Brazil-two countries with the largest populations of African descent brought to the Americas primarily through the transatlantic slave trade. We also address the need to capture race/ethnicity/country of origin in a meaningful way in order to facilitate transnational comparisons and potential translatable solutions. Race, class, and gender-based inequities are pervasive, global themes. This approach is human rights-based and consistent with the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDG) and post 2015-sustainable development goals' aim to place women's health the context of health equity/women's rights. Solutions to these issues of inequity in maternal mortality are nation-specific and global.

Maternal near miss and mortality due to postpartum infection: a cross-sectional analysis from Rwanda.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study is to evaluate 'near miss' and mortality in women with postpartum infections. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of all patients referred to the University Teaching Hospital of Kigali (CHUK) between January 2012 and December 2013. We identified 117 patients with postpartum infections. Demographic data, length of admission, location of referral, initial surgery and subsequent treatment modalities including antibiotic administration and secondary surgery were recorded. The primary outcome of interest was a composite of maternal mortality and "near miss" defined as more than one laparotomy with/without hysterectomy and prolonged hospitalization. RESULTS: Diagnoses at CHUK were: pelvic peritonitis (56 %), deep surgical site infection including fasciitis (17 %), and endometritis (15 %). The primary procedures performed prior to transfer were: cesarean section (81 %), septic abortion management (12 %), and vaginal delivery (7 %). Antibiotics were initiated prior to transfer in 66 % of women. Surgery was required in 73 % of patients. Hysterectomies were performed in 22 % of patients. Maternal death occurred in 5 % of the patient population. The primary outcome of severe maternal morbidity and mortality occurred in 90 patients (77 %). CONCLUSION: Peritonitis-primarily as a result of cesarean deliveries-is associated with significant morbidity and mortality in our population.

Abnormalities of Fetal Situs: An Overview and Literature Review.

The incidence of congenital heart disease is most commonly reported in 8 per 1000 live births. Situs anomalies are among the least common forms of congenital heart disease. This study defines situs and describes the variations of fetal situs anomalies. Situs refers to the arrangement of the viscera, atria, and vessels within the body. Situs solitus describes the normal arrangement; situs inversus describes inverted arrangement of the viscera and atria; and situs ambiguous (also referred to as heterotaxy) describes disturbances in arrangements that can neither be identified as solitus nor inversus. This review will concentrate on heterotaxy, as it is the most complicated situs abnormality to define, classify, and study. Prognosis of heterotaxy is variable but most correlated with cardiac anatomy. Management is concentrated on numerous cardiac operations and requires a multidisciplinary approach to address coexisting congenital anomalies.