Surgical Resection of Atrial Myxomas

Abstract

Myxomas are the most common form of benign cardiac tumors; these tumors occur primarily in the atria. Most myxomas are idiopathic in origin, but in rare cases, patients have a family history of myxomas. Although these tumors are benign, myxomas have the potential to cause serious complications, including embolic events and partial or complete obstruction of intracardiac blood flow. Currently, there is no effective medical treatment, and surgical excision of the tumor is necessary. Typically, surgical resection of an atrial myxoma is performed via a median sternotomy with the patient on cardiopulmonary bypass. Recurrence of a myxoma after surgical excision is extremely rare, and most patients have an excellent prognosis after surgery.

Left Atrial Myxoma in Pregnancy: Management Strategy Using Minimally Invasive Surgical Approach

“…Primary tumors of the heart are relatively rare and the most common are atrial myxomas which account for 50% of all primary cardiac tumors [1]. Left atrial myxoma in pregnant patients is extremely rare, only 51 cases being reported in the most recent literature review in 2015 [2].…”

“…It occurs mostly in women and is sometimes detected during pregnancy [1]. Cardiac myxoma in pregnant woman is extremely rare; the most recent literature review published in 2015 reported only 51 cases from 44 publications, and its management is also very difficult [2].…”

“…The multidisciplinary team approach has a crucial role in ensuring the best outcome for both mother and child [4]. The standard operative technique for dealing with a cardiac myxoma is the median sternotomy approach which allows the removal of the mass under cardiopulmonary bypass [1]. However, the sternal precautions needing to be applied after the sternotomy in order to avoid sternal dehiscence include using wound support, lifting restrictions, mobility aid restrictions, and driving restrictions [5].…”

Differential Diagnosis of a Left Atrial Mass after Surgical Excision of Myxoma: a Remnant or a Thrombus?

“…Prompt surgical excision must be performed as soon as the diagnosis is confirmed because of the high risk of new embolic complications or sudden death 1). However, postoperative thromboembolic events occur infrequently, and atrial arrhythmias are the most common complications after surgery for myxoma 5)6)7)8). Although myxomatous fragments of a tumor or thrombi at the tumor surface may dislodge during surgery, the occurrence of atrial fibrillation is the main reason for postoperative thromboembolic complications 9).…”

An Unusual Presentation of Cardiac Myxoma; a Case Report and Review of Literature

“…Roughly, three quarters of cardiac tumors are benign and remainders are malignant; half of benign cardiac tumors are myxomas [1,3]. Although Cardiac Myxomas (CM) are benign tumors but they are a major cause of patient morbidity and mortality, due to impairment of cardiac dynamics and their thromboembolic potential [3,4].…”