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[Cardiac myxoma in the elderly. Clinical study]
F Pentimone1, L Del Corso, E Siuti
1Istituto di Clinica Medica II, U.O. Universitaria di Geriatria, Università degli Study, Pisa.
Minerva Cardioangiologica
|January 1, 1997
Summary
Cardiac myxomas in elderly patients often present with constitutional symptoms, mimicking other diseases. Early diagnosis via 2-dimensional echocardiography is crucial for effective treatment and to prevent recurrence.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Geriatric Medicine
- Oncology
Background:
- Cardiac myxomas are rare primary tumors of the heart.
- In the elderly, cardiac myxomas can present with nonspecific symptoms, delaying diagnosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the clinical features, diagnosis, and outcomes of cardiac myxomas in elderly patients.
- To emphasize the importance of echocardiography in diagnosing cardiac myxomas in this population.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective clinical study of 13 elderly patients who underwent surgical resection of cardiac myxomas.
- Analysis of clinical presentation, diagnostic methods, tumor location, and follow-up data.
Main Results:
- The mean age of presentation was 68 years.
- Common locations included the left atrium (10 patients) and right atrium (3 patients).
- Five patients presented with constitutional symptoms (fever of unknown origin, weight loss, weakness, arthralgias).
- ECG and chest X-ray were frequently normal.
- Two-dimensional echocardiography was key in diagnosing 3 cases.
- No recurrence was observed during a median follow-up of 73 months.
Conclusions:
- Cardiac myxomas in the elderly can mimic collagen, neoplastic, or other systemic diseases.
- Constitutional symptoms alone can be the sole presentation.
- Two-dimensional echocardiography is essential for the diagnosis of cardiac myxoma in elderly patients presenting with nonspecific symptoms.