Left ventricular angiocardiography in atrioventricular defects.

The variation in the pathological anatomy of atrioventricular defects influences presentation, prognosis, and the results of surgical treatment. In particular the structure and function of the mitral valve have an important bearing on the success of surgical correction of the deformed valve. The purpose of this paper is to indicate the value of left ventricular angiocardiography in assessing the complete anatomy of the atrioventricular defect and in distinguishing those patients who are likely to do well with surgical correction. The accuracy of left ventricular angiography in differentiating atrioventricular defects from similar lesions has also been examined.