[Familial occurrence of cardiac myxomas]

A report is given on the occurrence of left atrial myxoma in both mother and daughter. A successful operation for a local recurrence was performed on the mother 4 years later. Sudden death of unknown cause occurred at young age in other siblings and was accompanied in one by arterial embolism, suggesting an even higher incidence. The potential accumulation of cardiac myxomas in a family was confirmed by a literature survey of 8 "myxoma families". Observation of these cases calls for the following Careful surgical excision because of the danger of a local recurrence. Echocardiographic follow-up for at least 5 years. Investigation of relatives.