[Clinical diagnosis of left auricular myxoma based on its echocardiographic and surgical verification]

We studied six patients with atrial myxoma, 5 occurred in left atrium and one in the right atrium, the diagnosis was verified with echocardiogram and surgery, we determined the clinical, electrocardiographic and radiological differences between the mitral stenosis and myxoma. We found that patients with atrial myxoma have no history of rheumatic fever, the dyspnea was less severe of shorter and duration, patient had paroxysmal dyspnea. In contrast dizziness, faintness, hemiparesis and/or angina were the more frequent symptoms. A diastolic mitral snap was a very frequent finding, less frequent was the diastolic rumble no patient had pre-systolic murmur. The left atrium was generally not dilated and the left atrial appendage as well as the pulmonary artery were not prominent in chest X-Rays. The P wave in lead II was not more than 0.11 sec and the ventricular complex in VI did not show tall R ware. With the previous elements it is possible to suspect the diagnosis of left atrial myxoma. The diagnosis should, of course, be confirmed by echocardiography.