AV

Atrioventricular

Atrioventricular (AV) refers to the anatomical and functional relationship between the atria (upper chambers) and ventricles (lower chambers) of the heart. It is often used in the context of the atrioventricular node (AV node), which is a critical component of the cardiac conduction system. The AV node regulates electrical impulses traveling from the atria to the ventricles, ensuring coordinated contraction. Dysfunction in this system, such as AV block, can disrupt the normal timing of heartbeats and may require interventions like pacemakers.