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Cardiac Magnetic Resonance for the Evaluation of Suspected Cardiac Thrombus: Conventional and Emerging Techniques
Published on: June 11, 2019
Atrial myxomas: pathologic types, tumor location, and presenting symptoms
Michael F Swartz1, Charles J Lutz, Vishal S Chandan
1State University of New York Upstate Medical University, Department of Cardiac Surgery, Syracuse, NY 13215, USA. swartzm@upstate.edu
Journal of Cardiac Surgery
|July 19, 2006
Summary
Atrial myxomas present as solid or papillary types, with distinct symptoms. Solid tumors correlate with congestive heart failure (CHF), while papillary types are linked to neurologic events and embolization.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Pathology
- Neoplasms
- Clinical Symptomatology
Background:
- Atrial myxoma is the most common cardiac neoplasm.
- Two observed anatomic types: solid and papillary.
- Investigating correlations between tumor characteristics and symptoms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if gross/microscopic appearance and location of atrial myxomas correlate with specific symptoms.
- To analyze the relationship between tumor type (solid vs. papillary) and clinical presentation.
- To assess the impact of tumor location on presenting symptomatology.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of atrial myxomas (1972-2002).
- Recorded clinical presentation, diagnostic modality, tumor location, gross, and microscopic features.
- Analyzed data from 24 patients (15 solid, 9 papillary tumors).
Main Results:
- Congestive heart failure (CHF) more prevalent in solid myxomas.
- Neurologic symptoms and embolic events more common in papillary tumors.
- Septal tumors associated with CHF; extraseptal tumors with neurologic/embolic events.
Conclusions:
- Solid atrial myxomas linked to CHF; papillary types to neurologic/embolic events.
- Tumor location (septal vs. extraseptal) strongly correlates with presenting symptoms.
- Gross and microscopic patterns may reflect secondary changes in tumor development.
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