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COMPLETE ATRIOVENTRICULAR CANAL AND COR TRIATRIATUM

James V. Richardson1, Conrad B. Jenson, Donald B. Doty

  • 1Division of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa 52242.

Cardiovascular Diseases
|June 1, 1979
PubMed

Insights

This study describes two patients with rare coexisting heart defects: complete atrioventricular canal and cor triatriatum. Surgical correction was challenging due to the primary defect and an undiagnosed secondary condition.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Congenital Heart Disease
  • Pediatric Cardiac Surgery

Background:

  • Complete atrioventricular canal (CAVC) is a complex congenital heart defect.
  • Cor triatriatum is a rare cardiac anomaly involving an accessory membrane dividing the left atrium.
  • The co-occurrence of CAVC and cor triatriatum is exceptionally uncommon.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe the clinical presentation and surgical outcomes of two patients with the rare combination of complete atrioventricular canal and cor triatriatum.
  • To highlight the challenges associated with diagnosing and managing this dual cardiac defect.

Main Methods:

  • Case report of two pediatric patients.
  • Surgical intervention for congenital heart defects.
  • Postoperative assessment of outcomes.

Main Results:

  • Two patients presented with complete atrioventricular canal and coexisting cor triatriatum.
  • Surgical correction was primarily limited by the complexity of the atrioventricular valve reconstruction in CAVC.
  • Undiagnosed cor triatriatum posed intraoperative difficulties.

Conclusions:

  • The combination of complete atrioventricular canal and cor triatriatum is rare and likely arises from unrelated embryological origins.
  • Surgical success in such cases is predominantly dictated by the management of the more severe defect, in this instance, the complete atrioventricular canal.
  • Preoperative diagnosis of all coexisting anomalies is crucial for optimal surgical planning and patient outcomes.

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