Cardiac myxomas: results of surgical treatment

Nineteen patients with cardiac myxoma were seen at Allegheny General Hospital from November 1974 to December 1990. Eighteen underwent operative removal, 9 females and 9 males; age range was 29-81 (mean 55). There were 18 operations for removal of a total of 24 myxomas. Fifteen patients had single myxomas and 3 had multiple myxomas. Of the 3 patients with multiple myxomas, 2 were familial. One patient had a metastatic recurrence intracranially. Perioperative mortality was 1 of 18 (5.5%). Operative morbidity was 12 of 18 (66.6%). Three patients required permanent pacemakers postoperatively (16.6%). Follow-up is complete and 15 of 17 patients (88%) are alive at a mean follow-up interval of 66.6 months (range 3-196 months).