Overview

Atrioventricular canal defect, also called atrioventricular septal defect, is a combination of heart problems affecting the center of the heart. The heart condition is present at birth (congenital heart defect). Children born with this condition have a hole between the heart's chambers and problems with the valves that control blood flow in the heart.

Atrioventricular canal defect allows extra blood to flow to the lungs. The extra blood forces the heart to work too hard, causing the heart muscle to enlarge.

Untreated, atrioventricular canal defect can cause heart failure and high blood pressure in the lungs. Doctors generally recommend surgery during the first year of life to close the hole in the heart and to reconstruct the valves.

Atrioventricular canal defect (atrioventricular septal defect) may also be called endocardial cushion defect. The condition is often associated with Down syndrome.