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Treatments and drugs
By Mayo Clinic staffWith treatment, most kids improve steadily — their appetite increases, they can be more active without tiring as easily, and their growth returns to normal. Surgery is necessary to correct atrioventricular canal defect. During the procedure, a surgeon closes the hole in the septum with one or two patches. The patches remain in the heart permanently, becoming part of the septum as the heart's lining grows over it.
For a partial atrioventricular canal defect, the surgery also involves repair of the mitral valve so it will close tightly. If repair isn't possible, the valve may need to be replaced instead.
If your baby has complete atrioventricular canal defect, the surgery also includes separation of the single valve into two valves, one on the left side and one on the right side of the repaired septum. If reconstruction of the single valve into two valves isn't possible, heart valve replacement may be necessary.
After surgery
After corrective surgery, your child will need lifelong follow-up care with a heart doctor (cardiologist) who specializes in congenital heart disease.
Your child may also need to take preventive antibiotics before certain dental procedures and other surgical procedures if he or she is at risk of severe complications of endocarditis, a bacterial infection of the lining of the heart. Typically, this is when your child has some remaining defects after surgery, has received an artificial valve or has had repair with artificial (prosthetic) material.
Many people who have corrective surgery for atrioventricular canal defect don't need additional surgery. However, some complications, such as heart valve leaks, may require treatment.
