Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 27, 2026

Author Spotlight: Developing a Translational Model for Atrial Fibrillation Research Across Species
Published on: November 21, 2023
Cardiac myxoma originating from areas of ventricular akinesia
D De Viti1, A Stragapede1, G Riccioni2
1Cardiology Unit, Casa di Cura Santa Maria, Bari, Italy.
Insights
A large left ventricular myxoma caused heart wall motion abnormalities, mimicking myocardial infarction. Tumor fragments may have embolized, leading to akinesia and potentially influencing tumor growth via blood flow stasis.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pathology
Background:
- Cardiac myxomas are rare primary heart tumors.
- Historically, myxomas were thought to originate from mural thrombi.
Observation:
- A large, 61x39 mm pedunculated myxoma was found in the left ventricle.
- The patient presented with anterior-septal and anterior free wall akinesia.
- Coronary angiography revealed normal coronary arteries, despite clinical suspicion of myocardial infarction.
Findings:
- Ventricular akinesia may result from tumor fragment embolization.
- Blood stasis or low-velocity flow, associated with wall motion abnormalities, could promote myxoma growth.
Implications:
- This case highlights a potential mechanism for cardiac tumor-induced akinesia.
- Understanding the interplay between tumor characteristics and cardiac function is crucial for diagnosis and management.
Abstract:
We present a case of large pedunculated myxoma (61×39 mm) in the left ventricular cavity with anterior-septal and anterior free wall akinesia. Angiographic study showed normal coronary arteries, but the clinical signs strongly suggested a previous myocardial infarction. We cannot exclude the possibility that the ventricular akinesia results from embolization of tumor fragments. For a time, cardiac myxomas were believed to arise from mural thrombi. In this case the presence of blood stasis or low-velocity blood flow related to wall motion abnormalities may have played a role in improving tumor growth.
Related Concept Videos
Cardiomyopathy I: Introduction and Classification
Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Structure of Cardiac Muscles
Compared to skeletal muscles, cardiac muscle cells are small and mostly have a single nucleus. Additionally, they are usually...
Myocarditis I: Introduction
Mitral Valve Prolapse I: Introduction
Mechanism of Cardiac Arrhythmias

