Unusual presentation of an obstructing cardiac myxoma

Abstract

Long-axis-3-chamber cardiac-MRI view. Mass (*) blocking the right ventricle outflow tract. CENTRAL MESSAGEAn altruistic act of blood donation may lead to the finding and treatment of a rare and threatening right ventricle myxoma.See Commentaries on pages 236 and 238.

Commentary: Right ventricle, right time

“…Previous reports of obstructing right ventricular myxoma have had positive outcomes with prompt surgical resection. 2 In the current issue of JTCVS Techniques, Mizrahi and colleagues 3 present the fortunate case of a healthy 16year-old female patient, with a remarkable family history of sudden cardiac death in multiple relatives, who initially presented with syncope in a relative hypovolemic state after blood donation. Echocardiogram ordered by her primary practitioner and subsequent magnetic resonance imaging revealed a 5 3 3-cm partially obstructing mass in the right ventricular outflow tract, which prompted emergent surgical resection via sternotomy and combination right atriotomy and pulmonary arteriotomy on cardiopulmonary bypass.…”

“…The study by Mizrahi and colleagues 3 can guide not only cardiac surgical but also institutional practice for the workup and treatment of rare cardiac tumors. A high index of suspicion paired with proper examination led to the correct referral to a center with congenital cardiac surgical expertise and exceptionally swift workup, with the patient moving to the operating room directly from magnetic resonance imaging.…”

Commentary: Altruism reveals a surreptitious life-threatening myxoma

“…In this issue of the JTCVS Techniques , Beckerman and colleagues 1 from Texas present a fascinating case demonstrating the life-saving consequence of an act of altruism and diligent follow-up after a notable physical examination. A young 16-year-old otherwise-healthy female patient with a strong family history of sudden cardiac death experienced a syncopal episode shortly after a blood donation and presented to the emergency department (ED).…”