Atrioventricular septal defect overview
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Atrioventricular septal defect (AVSD), previously known as "common atrioventricular canal" (CAVC) or "endocardial cushion defect", is characterized by a deficiency of the atrioventricular septum of the heart. It is caused by an abnormal or inadequate fusion of the superior and inferior endocardial cushions with the mid portion of the atrial septum and the muscular portion of the ventricular septum.
A variety of different classifications have been used, but the defects are usefully divided into "partial" and "complete" forms. In the partial AVSD, there is a defect in the primum or inferior part of the atrial septum but no direct intraventricular communication (ostium primum defect). In the complete AVSD, there is a large ventricular component beneath either or both the superior or inferior bridging leaflets of the AV valve.
If there is a defect in the septum, it is possible for blood to travel from the left side of the heart to the right side of the heart, or the other way around. Since the right side of the heart contains venous blood with a low oxygen content, and the left side of the heart contains arterial blood with a high oxygen content, it is beneficial to prevent any communication between the two sides of the heart and prevent the blood from the two sides of the heart from mixing with each other.
AVSDs account for approximately 5% of all congenital heart diseases. It is most commonly associated with patients with Down syndrome (trisomy 21) or heterotaxy syndromes.[1] Forty-five percent of children with Down syndrome have congenital heart disease. Of these, 35–40% have AV septal defects.[2]
References
de:Atrio-ventrikulärer Septumdefekt nn:Atrioventrikulær septumdefekt uk:Атріовентрикулярний септальний дефект