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Isolation of Atrial Myocytes from Adult Mice
08:34

Isolation of Atrial Myocytes from Adult Mice

Published on: July 25, 2019

How fast does an atrial myxoma grow?

Eva Karlof1, Sacha P Salzberg, Anelechi C Anyanwu

  • 1Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, New York 10029, USA.

The Annals of Thoracic Surgery
|September 26, 2006
PubMed

Insights

A large cardiac myxoma was discovered in a 58-year-old man three years after coronary artery bypass grafting. The myxoma caused right-sided heart failure and was surgically removed.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Cardiac Surgery
  • Pathology

Background:

  • A 58-year-old male patient underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).
  • Initial transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) post-CABG was unremarkable.
  • Routine transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) three years later was also normal.

Observation:

  • The patient presented with dyspnea and right-sided heart failure eleven months after the last TTE.
  • A subsequent TTE revealed a large mass (15 x 3 cm) in the right atrium.
  • The mass was found to be attached at the junction of the inferior vena cava and coronary sinus.

Findings:

  • Pathological examination confirmed the mass as a myxoma.
  • The myxoma exhibited a significant growth rate, estimated at 1.36 x 0.3 cm/month.
  • The tumor's size and location were consistent with the patient's symptoms of heart failure.

Implications:

  • This case highlights the potential for cardiac myxomas to grow rapidly and present with severe symptoms years after cardiac procedures.
  • Early detection and surgical resection are crucial for managing cardiac myxomas and preventing complications.
  • The findings underscore the importance of serial cardiac imaging in patients with a history of cardiac conditions or unexplained symptoms.

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