Angiographic studies of atrioventricular discordance.

The results and value of conventional and axial angiocardiography were studied in 26 cases of atrioventricular discordance (AVD). The angiographic anatomy of this malformation was analyzed to determine the precise characteristics of atrioventricular and ventriculoarterial connections. The left and right ventricles in atrial situs solitus and levocardia show angiographic features that differ from those seen in atrial situs solitus and dextrocardia. The same differences are found in atrial situs inversus. Regardless of the type of ventriculoarterial connections, the ventricles maintain the same angiographic characteristics. The ventricular septum in AVD in situs solitus and levocardia and situs inversus and dextrocardia has a peculiar orientation. The use of axial angiocardiography facilitates detection and localization of the ventricular septal defect. In cases of malposition of the heart, the conventional frontal view allows visualization of the ventricular septum in all of its length. The axial projection is useful in diagnosing left ventricular outflow tract obstruction.