BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuEndocardial cushion defectAtrioventricular (AV) canal defect; Atrioventricular septal defect; AVSD; Common AV orifice; Ostium primum atrial septal defects; Congenital heart defect - ECD; Birth defect - ECD; Cyanotic disease - ECDEndocardial cushion defect (ECD) is an abnormal heart condition. The walls separating all four chambers of the heart are poorly formed or absent. Also, the valves separating the upper and lower chambers of the heart have defects during formation. ECD is a congenital heart disease, which means it is present from birth.Congenital heart diseaseCongenital heart disease (CHD) is a problem with the heart's structure and function that is present at birth.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Causes ECD occurs while a baby is still growing in the womb. The endocardial cushions are two thicker areas that develop into the walls (septum) that divide the four chambers of the heart. They also form the mitral and tricuspid valves. These are the valves that separate the atria (top collecting chambers) from the ventricles (bottom pumping chambers).Previous imagePlay SlideshowStop SlideshowNext image / The lack of separation between the two sides of the heart causes several problems:Increased blood flow to the lungs. This results in increased pressure in the lungs. In ECD, blood flows through the abnormal openings from the left to the right side of the heart, then to the lungs. More blood flow into the lungs makes the blood pressure in the lungs rise. Heart failure. The extra effort needed to pump makes the heart work harder than normal. The heart muscle may enlarge and weaken. This can cause swelling in the baby, problems in breathing, and difficulty in feeding and growing. Heart failureHeart failure is a condition in which the heart is no longer able to pump oxygen-rich blood to the rest of the body efficiently. This causes symptom...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Cyanosis. As the blood pressure increases in the lungs, blood starts to flow from the right side of the heart to the left. The oxygen-poor blood mixes with the oxygen-rich blood. As a result, blood with less oxygen than usual is pumped out to the body. This causes cyanosis, or bluish skin. CyanosisA bluish color to the skin or mucous membrane is usually due to a lack of oxygen in the blood. The medical term is cyanosis.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Previous imagePlay SlideshowStop SlideshowNext image / Previous imagePlay SlideshowStop SlideshowNext image / There are two types of ECD:Complete ECD. This condition involves an atrial septal defect (ASD) and a ventricular septal defect (VSD). People with a complete ECD have only one large heart valve (common AV valve) instead of two distinct valves (mitral and tricuspid). Partial (or incomplete) ECD. In this condition, only an ASD, or an ASD and VSD are present. There are two distinct valves, but one of them (the mitral valve) is often abnormal with an opening ("cleft") in it. This defect can leak blood back through the valve. ECD is strongly linked to Down syndrome. Several gene changes are also linked to ECD. However, the exact cause of ECD is unknown.Down syndromeDown syndrome is a genetic condition in which a person has 47 chromosomes instead of the usual 46.Read Article Now Book Mark Article ECD may be associated with other congenital heart defects, such as:Double outlet right ventricle Double outlet right ventricleDouble outlet right ventricle (DORV) is a heart disease that is present from birth (congenital). The aorta connects to the right ventricle (RV, the ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Single ventricle Transposition of the great vessels Transposition of the great vesselsTransposition of the great arteries (TGA) is a heart defect that occurs from birth (congenital). The two major arteries that carry blood away from t...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Tetralogy of FallotTetralogy of FallotTetralogy of Fallot is a type of congenital heart defect. Congenital means that it is present at birth.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Symptoms Symptoms of ECD may include:Baby tires easily Bluish skin color, also known as cyanosis (the lips may also be blue) Feeding difficulties Failure to gain weight and grow Frequent pneumonia or infections Pale skin (pallor) Rapid breathing Rapid breathingTransient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN) is a breathing disorder seen shortly after delivery, most often in early term or late preterm babies. Transi...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Rapid heartbeat Sweating Swollen legs or abdomen (rare in children) Trouble breathing, especially during feeding Exams and Tests During an exam, the health care provider will likely find signs of ECD, including:An abnormal electrocardiogram (ECG) An enlarged heart Heart murmurChildren with partial ECD may not have signs or symptoms of the disorder during childhood.Tests to diagnose ECD include:Echocardiogram, which is an ultrasound that views the heart structures and blood flow inside the heart EchocardiogramAn echocardiogram is a test that uses sound waves to create pictures of the heart. The picture and information it produces is more detailed than a s...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article ECG, which measures the electrical activity of the heart ECGAn electrocardiogram (ECG) is a test that records the electrical activity of the heart.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Chest x-ray Chest x-rayA chest x-ray is an x-ray of the chest, lungs, heart, large arteries, ribs, and diaphragm.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article MRI, which provides a detailed image of the heart MRIA magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan is an imaging test that uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create pictures of the body. It does not us...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Cardiac catheterization, a procedure in which a thin tube (catheter) is placed into the heart to see blood flow and take accurate measurements of blood pressure and oxygen levelsCardiac catheterizationCardiac catheterization involves passing a thin flexible tube (catheter) into the right or left side of the heart. The catheter is most often insert...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment Surgery is needed to close the holes between the heart chambers, and to create distinct tricuspid and mitral valves. The timing of the surgery depends on the child's condition and the severity of the ECD. It can often be done when the baby is 3 to 6 months old. Correcting an ECD may require more than one surgery.Your child’s doctor may prescribe medicine:To treat the symptoms of heart failure Before surgery if ECD has made your baby very sickThe medicines will help your child gain weight and strength before surgery. Medicines often used include:Diuretics (water pills) Drugs that make the heart contract more forcefully (inotropic agents)Surgery for a complete ECD should be done in the baby's first year of life. Otherwise, lung damage that may not be able to be reversed can occur. Babies with Down syndrome tend to develop lung disease earlier. Therefore, early surgery is very important for these babies. Outlook (Prognosis) How well your baby does depends on:The severity of the ECD The child's overall health Whether lung disease has already developedMany children live normal, active lives after ECD is corrected. Possible Complications Complications from ECD may include:Congestive heart failure Congestive heart failureHeart failure is a condition in which the heart is no longer able to pump oxygen-rich blood to the rest of the body efficiently. This causes symptom...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Death Eisenmenger syndrome Eisenmenger syndromeEisenmenger syndrome is a condition that affects blood flow from the heart to the lungs in some people who were born with structural problems of the ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article High blood pressure in the lungs Irreversible damage to the lungs Certain complications of ECD surgery may not appear until the child is an adult. These include heart rhythm problems and a leaky mitral valve.Children with ECD may be at risk for infection of the heart (endocarditis) before and after surgery. Ask your child's doctor whether your child needs to take antibiotics before certain dental procedures.EndocarditisEndocarditis is inflammation of the inside lining of the heart chambers and heart valves (endocardium). It is caused by a bacterial or, rarely, a fu...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your child's provider if your child:Tires easily Has trouble breathing Has bluish skin or lips Also talk to the provider if your baby is not growing or gaining weight. Prevention ECD is linked to several genetic abnormalities. Couples with a family history of ECD may wish to seek genetic counseling before becoming pregnant.Open ReferencesReferencesBasu SK, Dobrolet NC. Congenital defects of the cardiovascular system. In: Martin RJ, Fanaroff AA, Walsh MC, eds. Fanaroff and Martin's Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 75.Ebels T, Tretter JT, Spicer DE, Anderson RH. Antroventricular septal defects. In: Wernovsky G, Anderson RH, Kumar K, et al. Anderson's Pediatric Cardiology. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 31.Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM. Acyanotic congenital heart disease: left-to-right shunt lesions. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 453.AllVideoImagesTogCongenital heart defects (CHD) overviewAnimation Related video goes here for no-HTML5 browsersCongenital heart defects (CHD) overview - Animation Congenital heart disease describes defects of the heart or its vessels that are present at birth. They are the most common types of birth defect, affecting 1 out of every 120 babies. Some heart defects are severe, but many are not, ranging from simple defects with no symptoms, to complex defects with severe life-threatening symptoms. Each year, more than 35,000 babies in the United States are born with congenital heart defects. Most are simple defects that are easily corrected or do not need treatment. However, a small number of babies are born with complex heart defects and require special medical attention soon after birth. Over the past few decades, the diagnosis and treatment of these complex defects has greatly improved. Thanks to new and effective treatments, almost all children with complex heart defects grow to adulthood and can live active, productive lives. Most of these patients will nonetheless continue to need special heart care throughout their lives. Living with a congenital heart disease can also impact health insurance, employment, pregnancy, contraception, and the risk of infection during routine health procedures. Today, approximately 1 million American adults are living with congenital heart defects.Ventricular septal defect - illustration Ventricular septal defect is a congenital defect of the heart, that occurs as an abnormal opening in the wall that separates the right and left ventricles. Ventricular septal defect may also be associated with other heart defects. Many small defects will close on their own. For those defects that do not spontaneously close, the outcome is good with surgical repair. Ventricular septal defectillustrationAtrial septal defect - illustration An atrial septal defect is a congenital heart defect where the wall between the right and left atria does not close properly, leaving a hole between the two atria.Atrial septal defectillustrationAtrioventricular canal (endocardial cushion defect) - illustration Endocardial cushion defect is an abnormal heart condition which occurs during the development of the baby. In this condition there is no separation between the chambers of the heart. Without the separation, oxygen-rich and oxygen-poor blood mix causing the heart to work harder. Endocardial cushion defect is strongly associated with several genetic abnormalities.Atrioventricular canal (endocardial cushion defect)illustrationCongenital heart defects (CHD) overviewAnimation Related video goes here for no-HTML5 browsersCongenital heart defects (CHD) overview - Animation Congenital heart disease describes defects of the heart or its vessels that are present at birth. They are the most common types of birth defect, affecting 1 out of every 120 babies. Some heart defects are severe, but many are not, ranging from simple defects with no symptoms, to complex defects with severe life-threatening symptoms. Each year, more than 35,000 babies in the United States are born with congenital heart defects. Most are simple defects that are easily corrected or do not need treatment. However, a small number of babies are born with complex heart defects and require special medical attention soon after birth. Over the past few decades, the diagnosis and treatment of these complex defects has greatly improved. Thanks to new and effective treatments, almost all children with complex heart defects grow to adulthood and can live active, productive lives. Most of these patients will nonetheless continue to need special heart care throughout their lives. Living with a congenital heart disease can also impact health insurance, employment, pregnancy, contraception, and the risk of infection during routine health procedures. Today, approximately 1 million American adults are living with congenital heart defects.Ventricular septal defect - illustration Ventricular septal defect is a congenital defect of the heart, that occurs as an abnormal opening in the wall that separates the right and left ventricles. Ventricular septal defect may also be associated with other heart defects. Many small defects will close on their own. For those defects that do not spontaneously close, the outcome is good with surgical repair. Ventricular septal defectillustrationAtrial septal defect - illustration An atrial septal defect is a congenital heart defect where the wall between the right and left atria does not close properly, leaving a hole between the two atria.Atrial septal defectillustrationAtrioventricular canal (endocardial cushion defect) - illustration Endocardial cushion defect is an abnormal heart condition which occurs during the development of the baby. In this condition there is no separation between the chambers of the heart. Without the separation, oxygen-rich and oxygen-poor blood mix causing the heart to work harder. Endocardial cushion defect is strongly associated with several genetic abnormalities.Atrioventricular canal (endocardial cushion defect)illustrationRelated Information Review Date: 5/8/2022 Reviewed By: Michael A. Chen, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Harborview Medical Center, University of Washington Medical School, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. © 1997- All rights reserved. A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.Content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.
Endocardial cushion defectAtrioventricular (AV) canal defect; Atrioventricular septal defect; AVSD; Common AV orifice; Ostium primum atrial septal defects; Congenital heart defect - ECD; Birth defect - ECD; Cyanotic disease - ECDEndocardial cushion defect (ECD) is an abnormal heart condition. The walls separating all four chambers of the heart are poorly formed or absent. Also, the valves separating the upper and lower chambers of the heart have defects during formation. ECD is a congenital heart disease, which means it is present from birth.Congenital heart diseaseCongenital heart disease (CHD) is a problem with the heart's structure and function that is present at birth.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Causes ECD occurs while a baby is still growing in the womb. The endocardial cushions are two thicker areas that develop into the walls (septum) that divide the four chambers of the heart. They also form the mitral and tricuspid valves. These are the valves that separate the atria (top collecting chambers) from the ventricles (bottom pumping chambers).Previous imagePlay SlideshowStop SlideshowNext image / The lack of separation between the two sides of the heart causes several problems:Increased blood flow to the lungs. This results in increased pressure in the lungs. In ECD, blood flows through the abnormal openings from the left to the right side of the heart, then to the lungs. More blood flow into the lungs makes the blood pressure in the lungs rise. Heart failure. The extra effort needed to pump makes the heart work harder than normal. The heart muscle may enlarge and weaken. This can cause swelling in the baby, problems in breathing, and difficulty in feeding and growing. Heart failureHeart failure is a condition in which the heart is no longer able to pump oxygen-rich blood to the rest of the body efficiently. This causes symptom...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Cyanosis. As the blood pressure increases in the lungs, blood starts to flow from the right side of the heart to the left. The oxygen-poor blood mixes with the oxygen-rich blood. As a result, blood with less oxygen than usual is pumped out to the body. This causes cyanosis, or bluish skin. CyanosisA bluish color to the skin or mucous membrane is usually due to a lack of oxygen in the blood. The medical term is cyanosis.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Previous imagePlay SlideshowStop SlideshowNext image / Previous imagePlay SlideshowStop SlideshowNext image / There are two types of ECD:Complete ECD. This condition involves an atrial septal defect (ASD) and a ventricular septal defect (VSD). People with a complete ECD have only one large heart valve (common AV valve) instead of two distinct valves (mitral and tricuspid). Partial (or incomplete) ECD. In this condition, only an ASD, or an ASD and VSD are present. There are two distinct valves, but one of them (the mitral valve) is often abnormal with an opening ("cleft") in it. This defect can leak blood back through the valve. ECD is strongly linked to Down syndrome. Several gene changes are also linked to ECD. However, the exact cause of ECD is unknown.Down syndromeDown syndrome is a genetic condition in which a person has 47 chromosomes instead of the usual 46.Read Article Now Book Mark Article ECD may be associated with other congenital heart defects, such as:Double outlet right ventricle Double outlet right ventricleDouble outlet right ventricle (DORV) is a heart disease that is present from birth (congenital). The aorta connects to the right ventricle (RV, the ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Single ventricle Transposition of the great vessels Transposition of the great vesselsTransposition of the great arteries (TGA) is a heart defect that occurs from birth (congenital). The two major arteries that carry blood away from t...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Tetralogy of FallotTetralogy of FallotTetralogy of Fallot is a type of congenital heart defect. Congenital means that it is present at birth.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Symptoms Symptoms of ECD may include:Baby tires easily Bluish skin color, also known as cyanosis (the lips may also be blue) Feeding difficulties Failure to gain weight and grow Frequent pneumonia or infections Pale skin (pallor) Rapid breathing Rapid breathingTransient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN) is a breathing disorder seen shortly after delivery, most often in early term or late preterm babies. Transi...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Rapid heartbeat Sweating Swollen legs or abdomen (rare in children) Trouble breathing, especially during feeding Exams and Tests During an exam, the health care provider will likely find signs of ECD, including:An abnormal electrocardiogram (ECG) An enlarged heart Heart murmurChildren with partial ECD may not have signs or symptoms of the disorder during childhood.Tests to diagnose ECD include:Echocardiogram, which is an ultrasound that views the heart structures and blood flow inside the heart EchocardiogramAn echocardiogram is a test that uses sound waves to create pictures of the heart. The picture and information it produces is more detailed than a s...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article ECG, which measures the electrical activity of the heart ECGAn electrocardiogram (ECG) is a test that records the electrical activity of the heart.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Chest x-ray Chest x-rayA chest x-ray is an x-ray of the chest, lungs, heart, large arteries, ribs, and diaphragm.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article MRI, which provides a detailed image of the heart MRIA magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan is an imaging test that uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create pictures of the body. It does not us...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Cardiac catheterization, a procedure in which a thin tube (catheter) is placed into the heart to see blood flow and take accurate measurements of blood pressure and oxygen levelsCardiac catheterizationCardiac catheterization involves passing a thin flexible tube (catheter) into the right or left side of the heart. The catheter is most often insert...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment Surgery is needed to close the holes between the heart chambers, and to create distinct tricuspid and mitral valves. The timing of the surgery depends on the child's condition and the severity of the ECD. It can often be done when the baby is 3 to 6 months old. Correcting an ECD may require more than one surgery.Your child’s doctor may prescribe medicine:To treat the symptoms of heart failure Before surgery if ECD has made your baby very sickThe medicines will help your child gain weight and strength before surgery. Medicines often used include:Diuretics (water pills) Drugs that make the heart contract more forcefully (inotropic agents)Surgery for a complete ECD should be done in the baby's first year of life. Otherwise, lung damage that may not be able to be reversed can occur. Babies with Down syndrome tend to develop lung disease earlier. Therefore, early surgery is very important for these babies. Outlook (Prognosis) How well your baby does depends on:The severity of the ECD The child's overall health Whether lung disease has already developedMany children live normal, active lives after ECD is corrected. Possible Complications Complications from ECD may include:Congestive heart failure Congestive heart failureHeart failure is a condition in which the heart is no longer able to pump oxygen-rich blood to the rest of the body efficiently. This causes symptom...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Death Eisenmenger syndrome Eisenmenger syndromeEisenmenger syndrome is a condition that affects blood flow from the heart to the lungs in some people who were born with structural problems of the ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article High blood pressure in the lungs Irreversible damage to the lungs Certain complications of ECD surgery may not appear until the child is an adult. These include heart rhythm problems and a leaky mitral valve.Children with ECD may be at risk for infection of the heart (endocarditis) before and after surgery. Ask your child's doctor whether your child needs to take antibiotics before certain dental procedures.EndocarditisEndocarditis is inflammation of the inside lining of the heart chambers and heart valves (endocardium). It is caused by a bacterial or, rarely, a fu...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your child's provider if your child:Tires easily Has trouble breathing Has bluish skin or lips Also talk to the provider if your baby is not growing or gaining weight. Prevention ECD is linked to several genetic abnormalities. Couples with a family history of ECD may wish to seek genetic counseling before becoming pregnant.Open ReferencesReferencesBasu SK, Dobrolet NC. Congenital defects of the cardiovascular system. In: Martin RJ, Fanaroff AA, Walsh MC, eds. Fanaroff and Martin's Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 75.Ebels T, Tretter JT, Spicer DE, Anderson RH. Antroventricular septal defects. In: Wernovsky G, Anderson RH, Kumar K, et al. Anderson's Pediatric Cardiology. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 31.Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM. Acyanotic congenital heart disease: left-to-right shunt lesions. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 453.