Dynamic Annular Modeling of the Unrepaired Complete Atrioventricular Canal Annulus.

2020

2020 Dec 23

1552-6259

<p><strong>BACKGROUND: </strong>Repair of complete atrioventricular canal (CAVC) is often complicated by atrioventricular valve regurgitation, particularly of the left-sided valve. Understanding the three-dimensional (3D) structure of the atrioventricular canal annulus prior to repair may help to inform optimized repair. However, the 3D shape and movement of the CAVC annulus has yet to be quantified nor has it been rigorously compared to a normal mitral valve annulus.</p>

<p><strong>METHODS: </strong>The complete annuli of 43 patients with CAVC were modeled in 4 cardiac phases using transthoracic 3D echocardiograms and custom code. The annular structure was compared to the annuli of 20 normal pediatric mitral valves using 3D metrics and statistical shape analysis (Procrustes analysis).</p>

<p><strong>RESULTS: </strong>The unrepaired CAVC annulus varied in shape significantly throughout the cardiac cycle. Procrustes analysis visually demonstrated that the average normalized CAVC annular shape is more planar than the normal mitral annulus. Quantitatively, the annular height to valve width ratio of the native left CAVC atrioventricular valve was significantly lower than that of a normal mitral valve in all systolic phases(p&lt;0.001).</p>

<p><strong>CONCLUSIONS: </strong>The left half of the CAVC annulus is more planar than that of a normal mitral valve with an annular height to valve width ratio similar to dysfunctional mitral valves. Given the known importance of annular shape to mitral valve function, further exploration of the association of 3D structure to valve function in CAVC is warranted.</p>

10.1016/j.athoracsur.2020.12.013

Ann Thorac Surg

33359720