[Tumors of the heart and arterial embolisms]

Tumors of the heart are a rare cause of embolism of the peripheral arterial system. A series of 26 patients operated on for heart tumor in the Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases in Bratislava over the years 1979-1988 was analyzed. Pseudomyxoma was histologically verified in 24 patients and rhabdomyoma and rhabdomyosarcoma in the other two patients. A total of 12 embolic events was recorded in 9 patients (34.6%). There were 8 instances of embolism in the central nervous system and 4 in the extremities. In all cases pseudomyxoma of the left parts of the heart was the source of embolism. In 21 cases diagnosis was established and operation indicated on the basis of ultrasonographic evidence. The authors recommend the biatrial transseptal approach. Early surgical removal of a heart tumor is the therapy of choice which prevents the development of potential complications from the heart and peripheral arteries.