The Univentricular Atrioventricular Connections

Abstract

The authors examined nine autopsied hearts with univentricular atrioventricular connection (UAVC), and described the important pathologic findings of each cardiac segment. The classification of our cases was based on the morphology of main chamber and the status of atrioventricular connection. Left ventricular type was seen in five cases; one case of double inlet, three cases of absent right atrioventricular connection and one absent left atrioventricular connection. Of four cases of right ventricular type, two were double inlet, one absent right atrioventricular connection and one absent left connection. The pattern of the apical trabeculation of main chamber, the relationship between the septum and the crux cordis, and the presence and position of rudimentary chamber were the essence in determining the type of UAVc. The distribution pattern of delimiting arteries may be used as a guide to determine the ventricular loop when the anatomical position of the rudimentary chamber is equivocal, In the cases of absent atrioventricular connection the ventricular loop can be determined by the ventricular type of the main chamber and the site of absent connection.