ESCWGA/NASPE/P experts consensus statement: Living anatomy of the atrioventricular junctions. A guide to electrophysiologic mapping

Anatomic Nomenclature of the AV Junctions. Current nomenclature for the AV junctions derives from a surgically distorted view, placing the valvar ring s and the triangle of Koch in a single plane with anteroposterior and right -left lateral coordinates. Within this convention, the aorta is considered to occupy an anterior position, whereas the mouth of the coronary sinus is shown as being posterior, Although this nomenclature has served its purpose for the description and treatment of arrhythmias dependent on accessory pa thways and AV nodal reentry, it is less than satisfactory for the descripti on of atrial and ventricular mapping. To correct these deficiencies, a cons ensus document has been prepared by experts from the Working Group of Arrhy thmias of the European Society of Cardiology and from the North American So ciety of Pacing and Electrophysiology. It proposes a new, anatomically soun d, nomenclature that will be applicable to all chambers of the heart. In th is report, we discuss its value for description of the AV junctions and est ablish the principles of this new nomenclature.