Updates on Atrio-Ventricular Node Anatomy and Physiology and on AVNRTs Circuit

Special Issue Editors


E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Clinical and Rehabilitation Cardiology Division, San Filippo Neri Hospital, 00135 Rome, Italy
Interests: AVNRT; atrial fibrillation ablation

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor Assistant
Clinical and Rehabilitation Cardiology Division, San Filippo Neri Hospital, 00135 Rome, Italy
Interests: AVNRT; atrial fibrillation ablation

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This special issue delves into the latest advancements in our understanding of the anatomy and physiology of the atrioventricular (AV) node, alongside a comprehensive exploration of atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardias (AVNRTs). With contributions from leading experts, the articles provide insights into the intricate structure and function of the AV node, its role in cardiac conduction, and the mechanisms underlying AVNRTs. We aim to enhance the reader's knowledge of both clinical implications and emerging therapeutic strategies, fostering a deeper understanding of arrhythmogenesis and potential interventions.

Prof. Dr. Claudio Pandozi
Guest Editor

Dr. Andrea Matteucci
Guest Editor Assistant

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Journal of Cardiovascular Development and Disease is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • AV node
  • Koch's triangle
  • slow pathway
  • high‐density mapping

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (1 paper)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Review

21 pages, 26629 KiB  
Review
The Anatomy of the Atrioventricular Node
by Robert H. Anderson, Damián Sánchez-Quintana, Jorge Nevado-Medina, Diane E. Spicer, Justin T. Tretter, Wouter H. Lamers, Zihan Hu, Andrew C. Cook, Eduardo Back Sternick and Demosthenes G. Katritsis
J. Cardiovasc. Dev. Dis. 2025, 12(7), 245; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcdd12070245 - 26 Jun 2025
Viewed by 491
Abstract
The anatomical arrangement of the atrioventricular node has been likened to a riddle wrapped up in an enigma. There are several reasons for this alleged mystery, not least the marked variability in structure between different species. Lack of detailed knowledge of the location [...] Read more.
The anatomical arrangement of the atrioventricular node has been likened to a riddle wrapped up in an enigma. There are several reasons for this alleged mystery, not least the marked variability in structure between different species. Lack of detailed knowledge of the location of the node relative to the atrial and ventricular septal structures has also contributed to previous misunderstandings. Recent studies comparing the findings of gross dissection with virtual dissection of living datasets, combined with access to a large number of serially sectioned human and animal hearts, have served to provide the evidence to solve the riddle. We summarise these findings in this review. We explain how the node is located within the atrial walls of the inferior pyramidal space. It becomes the non-branching component of the atrioventricular conduction axis as the axis extends through the plane of atrioventricular insulation to enter the infero-septal recess of the left ventricular outflow tract. The node itself is formed by contributions from the tricuspid and mitral vestibules, with extensive additional inputs from the base of the atrial septum. We show how knowledge of development enhances the appreciation of the arrangements and offers an explanation as to why, on occasion, there can be persisting nodoventricular connections. We discuss the findings relative to the circuits producing atrioventricular re-entry tachycardia. We conclude by emphasising the significance of the variation of the anatomical arrangements within different mammalian species. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop