ATRIOVENTRICULAR CANAL DEFECTS

Course overview

ATRIOVENTRICULAR CANAL DEFECTS COMPRISE A SPECTRUM OF DEFECTS SUCH AS EXCLUSIVE VENTRICULAR OR ATRIAL DEFECTS, SEPTAL DEFECTS, ATRIOVENTRICULAR ANOMALIES, AND ENDOCARDIAL CUSHION DEFECTS. THEY ARE MORE COMMONLY ASSOCIATED WITH CHROMOSOMAL ABNORMALITIES, ESPECIALLY TRISOMY 21. THERE HAVE ALSO BEEN INCIDENCES WHERE WE HAVE SEEN THESE CONDITIONS IN NON-SYNDROMIC PATIENTS. CONGENITAL HEART DISEASES ARE ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT CAUSES OF INFANT MORTALITY. AV CANAL DEFECTS COMPRISE 3% TO 5% OF CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE (CHD). THIS ARTICLE EXPLAINS THE INCIDENCE, THE CAUSES, AND THE PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF AV CANAL DEFECTS. IT EMPHASIZES ON THE EARLY DIAGNOSIS AND MANAGEMENT OF CHILDREN WITH THIS CONDITION BY THE INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM, TO PREVENT POTENTIAL COMPLICATIONS IN THE FUTURE.