Our 10-Year Experience with Atrial Myxomas: Is Concurrent Valve Intervention Really Warranted?

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Surgery
• Cardiac Oncology
• Valvular Heart Disease

Background:

• Primary cardiac myxomas are rare tumors.
• Valvular lesions frequently accompany myxomas due to factors like annular dilatation and obstruction.
• Surgical excision of myxoma is often believed to resolve symptoms without further valve intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the outcomes of cardiac myxoma excision.
• To evaluate the necessity and effectiveness of concomitant valve intervention.
• To assess the role of intraoperative findings in guiding surgical decisions.

Main Methods:

• A 10-year retrospective descriptive study.
• Analysis of 22 patients undergoing cardiac myxoma excision.
• Evaluation of preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative valve morphology and outcomes.

Main Results:

• Six patients had successful mitral valve repair with ring annuloplasty.
• Mitral regurgitation varied preoperatively and intraoperatively, with some cases developing post-excision.
• One patient required mitral valve replacement for rheumatic mitral stenosis.

Conclusions:

• Cardiac myxomas frequently cause mitral valve insufficiency.
• Intraoperative assessment of the mitral valve is critical after myxoma excision.
• A tailored approach to valve intervention, including repair with ring annuloplasty, provides optimal surgical results.