Cardial myxomas: a clinical diagnostic challenge

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Cardiac Surgery
• Oncology

Background:

• Intracardiac myxomas are rare primary tumors of the heart.
• These tumors can manifest with varied clinical presentations, including embolic events, neurological symptoms, and hemodynamic compromise.
• A single patient experienced multiple distinct myxomas over time, highlighting the potential for recurrence or multifocal origins.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the clinical experience with intracardiac myxomas.
• To emphasize the importance of diagnostic modalities and surgical management.
• To discuss long-term outcomes and surveillance strategies for cardiac myxomas.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of five patients with seven intracardiac myxomas over an eight-year period.
• Preoperative diagnosis confirmed using echocardiography and/or angiocardiography.
• Surgical resection of all identified tumors.

Main Results:

• Seven myxomas were surgically resected from five patients.
• Tumor locations varied, with most arising from the atrial wall or ventricular septum, not exclusively the fossa ovalis.
• All patients experienced favorable outcomes post-resection, with follow-up ranging from 6 months to 8 years.

Conclusions:

• Awareness and prompt diagnosis of cardiac myxoma are essential.
• Complete surgical resection is the cornerstone of successful treatment.
• Close long-term follow-up is necessary to detect rare recurrences or new tumor development.