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Atrioventricular Septal Defect (AVSD)

An atrioventricular septal defect results in a large hole between the upper filling chambers (atria) and the lower pumping chambers (ventricles) of the heart. There is also only one valve between the atria and ventricles instead of two. 

The hole allows more blood to flow from the left side of the heart to the right. This increases the pressure of the blood travelling to the lungs, making the  right hand-side of the heart work harder and function less well.

An AVSD is a form of congenital heart disease – a term used to describe a problem with the heart’s structure and function due to abnormal development before birth.

Our doctors and nurses regularly refer to information published by the British Heart Foundation (BHF) and the Children's Heart Federation when explaining AVSD to our patients and their families.

 

Further reading

Visit the BHF website to download their atrioventricular septal defect factsheet

Read about atrioventricular septal defect on the Children's Heart Federation website