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2D and 3D Echocardiography in the Axolotl (Ambystoma Mexicanum)
Published on: November 29, 2018
Morphometric analysis of unbalanced common atrioventricular canal using two-dimensional echocardiography
M S Cohen1, M L Jacobs, P M Weinberg
1Division of Cardiology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA.
Journal of the American College of Cardiology
|October 1, 1996
Summary
Echocardiographic morphometry can identify unbalanced common atrioventricular canal (CAVC) in infants. An atrioventricular valve index (AVVI) below 0.67, especially with a large ventricular septal defect, suggests single-ventricle repair is needed.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Congenital Heart Disease
- Echocardiography
Background:
- Unbalanced common atrioventricular canal (CAVC) carries a high surgical mortality risk.
- Inappropriate surgical referrals (two-ventricle vs. single-ventricle repair) contribute to poor outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To define echocardiographic morphometric variables for identifying unbalanced CAVC.
- To improve patient selection for appropriate surgical repair strategies.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of echocardiograms from 103 CAVC patients.
- Calculation of atrioventricular valve index (AVVI) and ventricular cavity ratio.
- Correlation of echocardiographic variables with surgical referral and patient outcomes.
Main Results:
- A balanced CAVC was associated with AVVI > 0.67.
- Unbalanced CAVC patients undergoing two-ventricle repair had a mean AVVI of 0.51 +/- 0.12.
- A large ventricular septal defect was more common in nonsurvivors (p < 0.05).
Conclusions:
- Echocardiographic morphometry, specifically AVVI, is valuable for assessing CAVC unbalance.
- An AVVI < 0.67 with a large ventricular septal defect indicates consideration for single-ventricle repair.
