[Valve replacement in case of a partial atrioventricular canal. A propos of 17 cases]

In 17 patients with a partial form of atrioventricular canal, at least one valve was replaced. The mitral valve was the most commonly affected (16 cases), sometimes in association with the tricuspid valve (5 cases) or the aortic valve (1 case); the tricuspid valve alone was replaced in one case. 7 cases were ranked as operative deaths, and the longer term mortality was of 4 cases. The factors leading to this high mortality figure are discussed. The future treatment policy for this condition is discussed.