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General Information 501-364-1100
Arkansas Children's Northwest
General Information 479-725-6800
An atrioventricular canal defect, also called AV canal, is a problem with how the heart develops. Children born with AV canal have holes between the heart's four chambers. They may also have heart valves that are not formed correctly. These problems can cause the blood to flow in ways it should not inside the heart, which can cause a strain on the heart and lungs.
There are two main types of AV canal:
For babies with a complete AV canal, symptoms usually develop a few weeks after birth. Symptoms may take longer to develop in children with partial AV canal. Common symptoms may include:
There is no known cause of AV canal. However, it is more common in babies with Down syndrome.
Most children with AV canal need surgery to repair the problems. The specific type of surgery your child needs, and when it is done, will depend on which type of AV canal defect they have.
Surgery for AV canal typically involves:
Your care team at Arkansas Children’s is experienced in treating all types of AV canal and will work with you to come up with the best treatment plan for your child’s individual needs.