What’s the difference between a complete and partial atrioventricular canal defect?

What’s the difference between a complete and partial atrioventricular canal defect?

An atrioventricular canal defect can be complete or partial:

• Complete atrioventricular canal defect: The hole is big enough to provide an opening between all four chambers of your heart. Instead of the normal two valves between the upper and lower chambers, there’s just one valve. Its flap might not open and shut correctly.
• Partial atrioventricular canal defect: The hole is only between the wall of the two upper chambers (most typical) or the two lower chambers, not all four. There are two valves between the upper and lower chambers, but one of them (usually the mitral valve between the upper left atrium and lower left ventricle) doesn’t work correctly.