Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Atrial septal defect common or single atrium
Introduction
Overview
Overview
Common atrium is a rare variety of interatrial communication characterised by absence or virtual absence of the atrial septum.
Pathophysiology
Pathophysiology
Common (or single) atrium is a failure of development of the embryologic components that contribute to the atrial septal complex. It is frequently associated with heterotaxy syndrome.[1]
Diagnosis
Diagnosis
Electrocardiogram
AV block has been reported in two thirds of the cases. There is an abnormal frontal plane P axis in conjunction with a frontal QRS loop consistent with persistent atrioventricular canal. [2]
Other Diagnostic Studies
Angiocardiography
On the left ventriculogram a typical goose-neck deformity diagnostic of persistent atrioventricular canal may be observed. Injection of contrast into the atrium demonstrates a single large globular atrial structure. This imaging study is diagnostic. It should be noted that common atrium may not be distinguished from the more frequently encountered secundum and primum types of atrial septal defects with large intra-atrial communication.[3]
References
References
- ↑ Valdes-Cruz LM, Cayre RO (1998). Echocardiographic diagnosis of congenital heart disease. Philadelphia.
- ↑ Electrocardiographic and Angiographic Features of Common Atrium Jui-Sung Hung M.D.1; Donald G. Ritter M.D., F.C.C.P.1; Robert H. Feldt M.D.1; and Owings W. Kincaid M.D. Chest. 1973;63:970-975.
- ↑ Electrocardiographic and Angiographic Features of Common Atrium Jui-Sung Hung M.D.1; Donald G. Ritter M.D., F.C.C.P.1; Robert H. Feldt M.D.1; and Owings W. Kincaid M.D. Chest. 1973;63:970-975.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editors-In-Chief: Priyamvada Singh, M.B.B.S. [2]; Cafer Zorkun, M.D., Ph.D. [3]; Kristin Feeney, B.S. [4]