[Persistent atrioventricular canal. Differential diagnosis of its variations]

The authors reviewed 40 cases of endocardial cushion defect, 26 with the complete type and 14 incomplete. In 34 cases the diagnosis was corroborated anatomically and in the rest through angiocardiogram. 2. There is a discussion of proposed classifications and in accordance with the abnormality of the endocardial cushions, they outline the anatomic varieties. 3. They show that the complete and partial forms have notable differences in their clinical picture and in the prognosis. Particularly when there are associated malformations. They also give a detailed account of the essential data for the differential diagnosis. 4. In those cases with the partial type, the electrocardiogram showed typical behavior, whereas, in those with complete type the results were related to the associated malformations. 5. The anatomy of the persistence of endocardial cushion defect is analyzed and taking this into consideration, the problems which occur with mitral valve replacement are discussed. 6. They emphasize the importance of an excellent angiographic study, which besides its diagnostic value, is fundamental in making a decision in regard to surgical selection and technique. 7. They show the high frequency of malformations which may coexist with Endocardial cushion defect and remind us that as long as we continue to wait for classic data, especially of tb electrocardiogram, and ignore the left ventriculogram to establish the diagnosis, an important number of cases will remain undiagnosed. 8. They show that in the incomplete type there habitually exits situs solitus and the associated malformations are rare and simple; on the other hand in the complete, situs ambiguo was proven in 69.2% and solitus in the rest, and in 92.3% there were complex associated malformations. They affirm that with the suspicion or the confirmation of the complete type consider the possibility of it is imperative to heterotaxia. If this exist and there is low pulmonary flow we should suspect the coexistence with tetralogy of Fallot.