Atrioventricular septal defect
Updates to Article Attributes
Atrioventricular septal defects (AVSDs) comprise of a relatively wide range of defects involving the atrial septum, ventricular septum and one or both of the tricuspid or mitral valve. They can represent 2-7% of congenital heart defects.
Epidemiology
The estimated prevalence is at ~3-4 in 10,000 births.
Pathology
It results from deficient development of the apical portion or the atrial septum, basal portion of the inter-ventricular septum as well as atrio-ventricular valves. All four chambers of the heart communicate therefore both left to right and right to left shunts can occur.
Classification
Many have been used but can be broadly divided into:
- complete
- incomplete
Associations
-
Down syndrome-trisomy 21:
maymay be present in up to 50% of cases 4 - trisomy 18: may be present in up to 25 % of cases ref
- Ivermark syndrome: may be present in up to 10% of cases 4
Radiographic features
Plain film
Plain film features are often not specific but may show have cardiomegaly +/- features of pulmonary hypertension and mitral valve insufficiency.
Echocardiography
Allows direct visualisation of the defect spectrum and often a large defect of the midline heart structures are seen. Colour Doppler often aids in further visualisation of the central opening.
Angiography
An AVSD can give a classical "Goose neck"Gooseneck" sign on a lateral left ventricular angiogram 3.
MRI
Allows direct visualisation of defect spectrum. Can be superior in assessing cardiac chamber dimensions and to assess the presence/extent of ventricular hypoplasia which is a determinant of surgical risk.
-<p><strong>Atrioventricular septal defects (AVSDs)</strong> comprise of a relatively wide range of defects involving the atrial septum, ventricular septum and one or both of the tricuspid or mitral valve. They can represent 2-7% of <a href="/articles/congenital-heart-disease">congenital heart defects</a>. </p><h4>Epidemiology</h4><p>The estimated prevalence is at ~3-4 in 10,000 births.</p><h4>Pathology</h4><p>It results from deficient development of the apical portion or the atrial septum, basal portion of the inter-ventricular septum as well as atrio-ventricular valves. All four chambers of the heart communicate therefore both left to right and right to left shunts can occur.</p><h5>Classification</h5><p>Many have been used but can be broadly divided into </p><ul>- +<p><strong>Atrioventricular septal defects (AVSDs)</strong> comprise of a relatively wide range of defects involving the atrial septum, ventricular septum and one or both of the tricuspid or mitral valve. They can represent 2-7% of <a href="/articles/congenital-heart-disease">congenital heart defects</a>. </p><h4>Epidemiology</h4><p>The estimated prevalence is at ~3-4 in 10,000 births.</p><h4>Pathology</h4><p>It results from deficient development of the apical portion or the atrial septum, basal portion of the inter-ventricular septum as well as atrio-ventricular valves. All four chambers of the heart communicate therefore both left to right and right to left shunts can occur.</p><h5>Classification</h5><p>Many have been used but can be broadly divided into:</p><ul>
-<a href="/articles/trisomy-21">Down syndrome</a>-<a href="/articles/trisomy-21">trisomy 21</a>: may be present in up to 50% of cases <sup>4</sup>- +<a href="/articles/trisomy-21">Down syndrome</a>-<a href="/articles/trisomy-21">trisomy 21</a>: may be present in up to 50% of cases <sup>4</sup>
-</ul><h4>Radiographic features</h4><h5>Plain film </h5><p>Plain film features are often not specific but may show have cardiomegaly +/- features of pulmonary hypertension and mitral valve insufficiency.</p><h5>Echocardiography</h5><p>Allows direct visualisation of the defect spectrum and often a large defect of the midline heart structures are seen. Colour Doppler often aids in further visualisation of the central opening.</p><h5>Angiography</h5><p>An AVSD can give a classical "Goose neck" sign on a lateral left ventricular angiogram <sup>3</sup>.</p><h5>MRI</h5><p>Allows direct visualisation of defect spectrum. Can be superior in assessing cardiac chamber dimensions and to assess the presence/extent of ventricular hypoplasia which is a determinant of surgical risk.</p>- +</ul><h4>Radiographic features</h4><h5>Plain film </h5><p>Plain film features are often not specific but may show have cardiomegaly +/- features of pulmonary hypertension and mitral valve insufficiency.</p><h5>Echocardiography</h5><p>Allows direct visualisation of the defect spectrum and often a large defect of the midline heart structures are seen. Colour Doppler often aids in further visualisation of the central opening.</p><h5>Angiography</h5><p>An AVSD can give a classical "Gooseneck" sign on a lateral left ventricular angiogram <sup>3</sup>.</p><h5>MRI</h5><p>Allows direct visualisation of defect spectrum. Can be superior in assessing cardiac chamber dimensions and to assess the presence/extent of ventricular hypoplasia which is a determinant of surgical risk.</p>