Atrioventricular septal defect diagnosis

Diagnosis
AVSDs can be detected by cardiac auscultation, they cause atypical murmurs and loud heart tones. Confirmation of findings from cardiac auscultation can be obtained with a cardiac ultrasound (echocardiography) (less invasive) and cardiac catheterization (more invasive).

Tentative diagnosis can also be made in utero via fetal echocardiogram. An AVSD diagnosis made before birth is a marker for Down syndrome, although other signs and further testing are required before any definitive confirmation of either can be made.