Myocardial Infarction in a Seven-Year-Old Girl With Left Atrial Myxoma

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Cardiology
• Cardiac Oncology
• Cardiovascular Pathology

Background:

• Left atrial (LA) myxomas are rare benign tumors in children.
• Clinical presentation varies with tumor size and location.
• Myxomas can lead to serious complications like arterial embolism.

Observation:

• A seven-year-old girl presented with chest pain, respiratory symptoms, and elevated troponin, initially suspected as myocarditis.
• Diagnostic workup identified a left atrial myxoma as the cause of myocardial infarction.
• The infarction resulted from embolization of the myxoma to the right coronary artery's posterior lateral branch.

Findings:

• Successful surgical excision of the left atrial myxoma was performed.
• Coronary artery embolectomy was deemed unnecessary; medical management of the infarction was chosen.
• The patient achieved a successful clinical outcome following treatment.

Implications:

• This case highlights the importance of considering cardiac tumors in pediatric patients with unexplained cardiac events.
• Prompt diagnosis and surgical intervention are crucial for managing LA myxomas and preventing embolic complications.
• Conservative management of the resulting infarction, alongside tumor removal, can lead to favorable outcomes.