Two-dimensional echocardiographic assessment of common atrioventricular valves in univentricular hearts.

Twelve patients with univentricular heart and common atrioventricular valve were identified by two-dimensional echocardiography. Seven had an ostium primum atrial septal defect and five a common atrium. The common atrioventricular valve had the appearance of a free floating anterior leaflet flanked by two lateral leaflets. The position of the rudimentary chamber in relation to the atrioventricular valve was posterior in six and anterior in two; no chamber was identified in four. Two-dimensional echocardiography provides a reliable method for the identification of common atrioventricular valve in univentricular heart.