Neurological Complications of Cardiac Tumors

This article reviews recent literature regarding the neurological manifestations of cardiac tumors, including diagnosis, pathophysiology, and treatment.

Clinical cases of patients with acute ischemic stroke due to cardiac tumors who were treated with intravenous alteplase show a favorable safety profile. Mechanical thrombectomy seems to be a reasonable treatment alternative for these patients, when there is a large vessel occlusion. Histopathology analysis of mechanical thrombectomy specimens may allow the diagnosis of a cardiac tumor. Prolonged time interval between stroke and tumor excision surgery is significantly associated with stroke recurrence. Myxomatous aneurysms are a late complication of cardiac myxomas, which commonly demand imaging follow-up after excision of the primary tumor. Aneurysms are more frequent in patients who present with other embolic complications. Conservative treatment of myxomatous aneurysms is a reasonable strategy, as the majority of aneurysms remain stable over many years. Spontaneous regression of these formations has been documented after excision of the primary tumor. Other complications recently described include acute psychosis and mononeuropathy multiplex. Cardiac tumors are rare. There are mainly case reports and retrospective case series describing the neurological manifestations of cardiac tumors. Hyperacute stroke treatment seems to be safe, and mechanical thrombectomy is a reasonable treatment. A conservative approach towards myxomatous aneurysms should be considered.