Atrioventricular canal history and symptoms


 * Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief: Priyamvada Singh, M.B.B.S. [mailto:psingh@perfuse.org]; Assistant Editor(s)-In-Chief: Kristin Feeney, B.S. [mailto:kfeeney@perfuse.org]

Overview
Symptoms associated with an atrioventricular canal defect depend largely on the type of defect: partial or complete. A partial atrioventricular canal defect involves a malformation of the upper two chambers of the heart only. A complete atrioventricular canal defect is a malformation that allows blood to freely circulate amongst all four of the heart's chambers. In both partial and complete defects there is an increased, extra amount of blood that circulates to the lungs.

Symptoms
Sometimes can be asymptomatic. Symptoms may include;
 * Abnormal heart rhythm
 * Bluish lips
 * Bluish skin
 * Breathing difficulty
 * Enlarged heart
 * Fatigue
 * Fluid retention
 * Leg swelling
 * Persistent cough
 * Poor appetite
 * Poor weight gain
 * Weakness
 * Wheezing

Complete atrioventricular canal defect: Signs/symptoms of a complete defect usually present within the first few weeks of life. Common symptoms include:
 * Poor appetite
 * Difficulty gaining weight
 * Blue discoloring of the skin (cyanosis)
 * Difficulty breathing/respiratory distress
 * Heart failure (signs include: wheezing, swelling of the legs, ankles, and feet, excessive sweating, sudden gaining of eight, irregular/fast heartbeat)

Partial atrioventricular canal defect: Signs/symptoms of a partial defect usually are asymptomatic (meaning without symptoms) until much later in life into adulthood. Common symptoms include:
 * An abnormal heart rhythm/heartbeat (arrhythmia)
 * Heart failure
 * High blood pressure, specifically within the lungs (pulmonary hypertension)