Identification of a mobile intracardiac rheumatoid nodule mimicking an atrial myxoma

Cardiovascular involvement occurs in 30% to 50% of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and typically presents as nonspecific inflammation or fibrosis of cardiac structures or as nodules embedded in the various cardiac tissues. This case report describes a unique pedunculated, mobile left atrial rheumatoid nodule prolapsing through the mitral valve plane and mimicking an atrial myxoma. A brief discussion of intracardiac rheumatoid nodules and their potential significance follows.