Atrial Myxoma Presenting as an Atypical Stroke in a Young Patient With a Recent COVID-19 Infection

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Neurology
• Oncology

Background:

• Atrial myxomas are the most common primary cardiac tumors.
• They can cause embolic events, leading to ischemic strokes.
• Stroke evaluation in younger patients requires broad differential diagnoses.

Observation:

• A 42-year-old male with cardiovascular risk factors and recent COVID-19 presented with stroke symptoms.
• Multifocal ischemic strokes were diagnosed.
• A transesophageal echocardiogram revealed a large left atrial myxoma prolapsing the mitral valve.

Findings:

• The left atrial myxoma was identified as the embolic source of the patient's ischemic strokes.
• The myxoma measured 5 x 2 cm.
• Successful surgical removal was achieved using robotic thoracoscopy.

Implications:

• This case underscores the necessity of considering atrial myxoma in the stroke workup of young and middle-aged adults.
• Early diagnosis and treatment of atrial myxoma can prevent further embolic events.
• The role of COVID-19 as a potential trigger or exacerbating factor warrants further investigation.