Cardiac myxomas: report of eight cases with successful excision

Early diagnosis of atrial myxoma can be made by a high index of suspicion in patients in whom embolic phenomena, systemic manifestations, syncope, or suspected mitral or tricuspid valvular disease are noted. When the presence of an atrial myxoma is suspected, echocardiographic evaluation should be done promptly. This noninvasive technique has no morbidity or mortality and is accurate in greater than 90 percent of cases.