Atrioventricular Septal Defect

Atrioventricular septal defect is an opening between all four chambers of the heart that is present at birth (congenital heart defect). The opening is caused by a failure of heart tissue to come together during the growth of the fetus.

Atrioventricular septal defect results in a large opening in the center of the heart, with a hole between the 2 lower chambers (ventricular septal defect) and between the 2 upper chambers (atrial septal defect).

Atrioventricular septal defect requires surgery to correct.

Current as of: December 6, 2017

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine & John Pope, MD, MPH - Pediatrics & Martin J. Gabica, MD - Family Medicine & Larry A. Latson, MD - Pediatric Cardiology, Critical Care Medicine

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