INTRACARDIAC TUMOURS - EXPERIENCE WITH 12 CASES

Twelve cases of intracardiac tumours operated during the period 1975 to 1994 are presented. There were 8 males and 4 females in the age range of 18 years to 64 years. Tumours were located in the left atrium in 10 patients and in the right atrium in 2 patients. Standard cardiopulmonary techniques were followed. The right atrial tumours were approached through a right atrial incision while the left atrial tumours were approached through a bi-atrial trans-septal approach. One patient underwent a perineal urethrolithotomy for an impacted urethral calculus at the same sitting. Eleven of the tumour masses excised were myxomas confirmed on histopathology. The last patient, operated for synovial sarcoma of the left knee 2 years before, presented with a metastatic tumour mass in the left atrium. No deaths occurred in the series.