Author/Authors :
Rahim Khan Hamza Abdur نويسنده Medical College - Aga Khan University , Hameedullah Atiya نويسنده Medical College - Aga Khan University , Irfan Omar نويسنده Medical College - Aga Khan University , Tariq Muhammad نويسنده Department of Surgery - Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery - Aga Khan University , Fatimi Saulat Hasnain نويسنده Department of Surgery - Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery - Aga Khan University
Abstract :
Cardiac tumors constitute 0.2% of all tumors. Primary cardiac tumors occur infrequently
with an incidence of 0.0017-0.19% as shown by autopsies performed in non-selected
populations. Among these tumors, cardiac myxomas are most commonly encountered,
with left atrial myxomas being more prevalent than right atrial ones. The classic triad
of symptoms, of which at least one is present in a patient with atrial myxoma, are
obstructive traits including dyspnea and syncope, constitutional symptoms such as fever
and anorexia, and thromboembolic events. Surgical resection confers almost definitive
treatment with recurrence rates being as low as 3%. A 50-year-old woman referred to
the Emergency Unit with a sudden episode of chest heaviness and shortness of breath.
There was no significant physical examination finding and all routine lab investigations
were normal. She underwent an angiography that revealed tight left anterior descending
artery stenosis. An angioplasty was also performed, but she had an episode of presyncope
immediately. Then, echocardiogram was performed that showed a large left
atrial myxoma causing severe mitral regurgitation. Thus, urgent open heart surgery
was planned. The myxoma was identified and excised, the mitral annulus resolved, and
normal flow was restored. The patient was then discharged home and followed up for 2
months with no complaints. In the current study, we reported a rare case where mitral
regurgitation was caused by a left atrial myxoma. Our report highlighted the diverse
clinical spectrum of myxoma and emphasized the need for early echocardiographic
diagnosis to aid in identification of myxoma followed by early surgical intervention.