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Cardiac myxoma: single tertiary centre experience
Polona Kacar1,2, Nejc Pavsic1,2, Mojca Bervar1,2
1Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Insights
Cardiac myxoma (CM) is a rare tumor, but surgical treatment is safe and effective. This study found CM may be more common than previously thought, with excellent patient outcomes after surgery.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Cardiac Surgery
- Oncology
Background:
- Cardiac myxoma (CM) are rare, benign tumors with potential for severe complications like hemodynamic compromise or embolization.
- Surgical excision is the definitive treatment for cardiac myxomas.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the epidemiological characteristics of cardiac myxoma.
- To analyze clinical presentation and imaging findings in CM patients.
- To evaluate the outcomes of surgical treatment for cardiac myxoma.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 39 adult patients with pathologically confirmed CM.
- Data collected from January 2005 to December 2020 at a tertiary care center.
- Inclusion of epidemiological, clinical, imaging, and surgical outcome data.
Main Results:
- Average annual incidence of CM was 3 per 2 million population.
- Most common symptom was dyspnea (31%); 18% presented with thromboembolic events.
- All patients underwent successful surgical resection with no in-hospital mortality; no recurrence during follow-up.
Conclusions:
- Cardiac myxoma is a rare cardiac tumor with varied clinical presentations.
- CM may be more prevalent than previously estimated.
- Surgical resection of cardiac myxoma is a safe procedure with excellent short- and long-term outcomes.
Background:
Although cardiac myxoma (CM) are rare and benign, they can cause life-threatening complications, such as hemodynamic disturbances or embolization. Surgical excision of the tumour is the treatment of choice. The aim of the study was to evaluate the epidemiological characteristics, clinical presentation, imaging findings, and outcomes of surgical treatment of patients with CM treated in the largest tertiary care centre in Slovenia.
Patients And Methods:
We retrospectively analysed the medical records of all patients referred to our institution between January 2005 and December 2020 and identified 39 consecutive adult patients with pathologically confirmed CM.
Results:
The average annual incidence of CM in the study was 3 per 2 million population per year. Patients were more often female (n = 25, 64%). The mean age at diagnosis was 63.1 ± 13.6 years. Dyspnoea was the most common presenting symptom (31%). CM was an incidental finding in 11 patients (28%). Seven patients presented with thromboembolic event (18%). Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) was performed in all patients, however additional imaging was required in 22 patients (56%). All patients in our series were successfully treated surgically without in-hospital mortality. During the follow-up period (6 months to 16 years) three patients (8%) died, and all deaths were unrelated to CM. There was no recurrence of CM during the follow-up.
Conclusions:
Our single-centre study confirms that CM is rare cardiac tumour with diverse clinical presentation. Our data shows data that CM might be more prevalent than considered before. Surgical resection of the tumour is safe with excellent short- and long-term outcomes.
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