Unusually large left atrial myxoma causing mitral valve occlusion and hiding a severe mitral regurgitation: a case report

We report a case of a 68-year-old woman with a large left atrial myxoma occluding the mitral valve. The tumor was diagnosed by preoperative echocardiogram. During the operation and after the myxoma resection, a severe mitral valve regurgitation, which was not observed during the preoperative echocardiogram, was noticed. Mitral valve defect was corrected by an annuloplasty ring, and the patient had an uneventful recovery. Careful evaluation of the mitral valve during a myxoma resection operation is recommended.     

A giant left atrial myxoma with severe mitral valve regurgitation: report of a case

A 76-year-old female underwent operation with a diagnosis of a left atrial myxoma with accompanied mitral regurgitation. Although no clinical findings of mitral regurgitation were noticed preoperatively, degenerative changes to the anterior leaflet as well as chordae tendinae possibly due to mechanical damage by the movement of the giant tumor through the mitral valve complex were observed in operation. Resection of the tumor and mitral valve replacement were successfully performed. Our case suggests that it is indispensable to investigate the mitral valve during operation even in case of the left atrial tumor with no preoperative findings of mitral regurgitation.     

Insuficiencia mitral severa posresección de mixoma auricular gigante: presentación de un caso y revisión de la literatura

Evaluation of the competence of a mitral valve can often be impossible in the clinical setting of a giant atrial myxoma. A 50-year-old woman with severe mitral regurgitation in the post-bypass period following a myxoma resection was managed with a mitral valve replacement.The absence of mitral insufficiency in the preoperative examination should not be taken as a reliable predictor of normal valve function. So herein, we discuss the role of the intraoperative echocardiographic examination, the underlying mechanisms, and the proposed management of severe mitral regurgitation following the resection of an atrial myxoma.     

Combined operation for left atrial myxoma, mitral regurgitation, coronary artery stenosis and abdominal aortic aneurysm

A 68-year-old male patient with a left atrial myxoma, mitral regurgitation, ischemic heart disease and abdominal aortic aneurysm underwent resection of the myxoma, mitral valve replacement, 4 coronary artery bypass grafting and replacement of the aneurysm simultaneously. The aneurysm was replaced under partial cardiopulmonary bypass. Combined cardiac and abdominal aortic operation is useful in selected patients who require IABP support postoperatively or whose cardiac function is poor.     

Determinação da massa residual em ventrículo esquerdo por ecocardiografia transesofágica intraoperatória após ressecção de mixoma gigante e flutuante em átrio esquerdo

Atrial myxoma is a benign tumor of the heart that occurs primarily in the left atrium. Floating or large left atrial myxomas frequently cause functional mitral stenosis, may also affect mitral valve structure and flow, and lead to mitral regurgitation. Systemic embolization occurs in around 30% of cases either from tumor fragmentation or complete tumor detachment hence it should be removed as soon as it is detected. Intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography has a vital importance in the surgery. After resection of myxoma, intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography must be performed to rule out residual mass. The case here reported is of a 48‐year old female, who presented with giant and floating left atrial myxoma. Residue mass was detected with intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography in the left ventricle after the resection of myxoma. Subsequently, the residue mass was successfully removed. Complete resection must be required to prevent possible complications such as recurrence, embolization in atrial myxomas. Transesophageal echocardiography performed intraoperatively is vital importance to confirm that the myxoma is completely resected.     

Cardiac Wegener's granulomatosis masquerading as left atrial myxoma

A 56-year-old woman was referred with mitral regurgitation, left ventricular dysfunction, and a sessile mass on the anterior leaflet of her mitral valve. The initial impression from echocardiography was that she had a left atrial myxoma. At operation, we found an intense inflammatory process diagnosed as Wegener's granulomatosis. It also involved the aortic valve and contiguous myocardium.     

Conservative operation for mitral stenosis. Independent determinants of late results

A retrospective study was designed to define the independent determinants of late results in 282 consecutive patients operated on for mitral stenosis between 1978 and 1985. A total of 25 variables were investigated by multivariate discriminant analysis for their possible influence on symptomatic outcome, subsequent reoperation, postoperative thromboembolism, and death. All the patients underwent a conservative mitral valve operation. In addition, 25 patients required concomitant tricuspid annuloplasty. The surgical mortality rate was 1.4% and the late mortality, reoperation, and thromboembolism rates were, respectively, 0.14%, 0.80%, and 0.95%/pt-yr. Actuarial probability of complication-free survival at 8 years was 83% +/- 3.7%. Left atrial size on the M-mode echocardiograms, tricuspid annuloplasty, mitral annuloplasty, presence of left atrial thrombus, male gender, and separation of subvalvular apparatus portended a significantly higher likelihood of poor postoperative symptomatic status (p less than 0.0005). Preoperative mild mitral regurgitation, E to F slope on the M-mode echocardiogram, and tricuspid annuloplasty had significant influence on the need for late reoperation (p less than 0.05). Postoperative atrial fibrillation, mitral valve amplitude on the M-mode echocardiogram, preoperative embolism, and residual mitral incompetence had an independent predictive power for postoperative thromboembolism (p less than 0.05). Finally, preoperative atrial fibrillation, preoperative cardiothoracic ratio, postoperative left atrial size, and postoperative atrial fibrillation all influenced the probability of long-term complications. These results suggest that earlier operation should be considered in patients with mitral stenosis, to increase the complication-free survival rate.     

Adult mitral and tricuspid valve regurgitation due to patent ductus arteriosus combined with atrial fibrillation; report of a case

73-year-old female with mitral and tricuspid valve regurgitation due to patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) with atrial fibrillation (AF) was reported. The patient was admitted for dyspnea on effort. She was diagnosed as mitral and tricuspid valve regurgitation due to PDA with AF by transthoracic echocardiography. She underwent mitral valve plasty (quadrangular resection of prolapsed posterior leaflet and annuloplasty with Duran flexible-ring 25 mm), tricuspid annuloplasty (De Vega annuloplasty), PDA direct closure and radiofrequency modified maze procedure. Postoperative echocardiogram showed good mitral and tricuspid valve function. He recovered well after the operation and was discharged in stable sinus rhythm.     

Left circumflex coronary artery to left atrial fistula in a patient with mitral regurgitation after excision of a left atrial myxoma.

Acquired coronary artery to left atrial fistulas are rare and previously only described in mitral stenosis associated with left atrial thrombus or coronary arteriosclerosis. We present the case of a patient who developed a left circumflex coronary artery to left atrial fistula associated with mitral regurgitation 12 years after excision of a left atrial myxoma. This was successfully ligated at the time of mitral valve replacement.     

Left atrial myxoma causing mitral insufficiency. Report of a case treated with mitral valve replacement.

A case of left atrial myxoma causing mitral insufficiency treated with valve replacement and diagnosed preoperatively as mitral stenosis is presented. The presence of mitral regurgitation is very rare in atrial myxomas and requires mitral valve replacement. In our case mitral regurgitaion was due to the mechanical trauma of the valve by the tumor mass because the patient had no history of rheumatic fever and the pathologic examination of the valve displayed neither rheumatic nor myxomatous degeneration.     

Transesophageal echocardiographic diagnosis of multicentric left ventricular myxomas mimicking a left atrial tumor.

We report a case of multicentric left ventricular myxomas with prolapse of one myxoma into the left atrium during ventricular systole that mimicked a left atrial tumor. The transthoracic echocardiogram showed large masses in the region of the mitral valve leaflets consistent with vegetations or tumors. A computed tomographic scan of the chest demonstrated two distinct left atrial masses, one of which appeared to prolapse from the left atrium into the left ventricle. Intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography showed a large pedunculated mass moving between the two left-sided cardiac chambers with intermittent trapping of the mass in the left atrium. The mass was attached to the left ventricular posteromedial papillary muscle by a long stalk. Another adjacent large ventricular mass was also noted in the left ventricle. These findings were confirmed at operation, which also demonstrated a third small tumor arising from the atrial aspect of the posterior mitral leaflet.     

Cor triatriatum in adulthood with mitral valve regurgitation and atrial fibrillation

Cor triatriatum is a rare congenital heart disease. A 57‐year‐old woman had cor triatriatum with severe mitral valve regurgitation (MR) and atrial fibrillation (AF). We performed mitral valve repair, left atrial appendage resection, and maze procedure by resection of the anomalous septum in the left atrium. As a result, MR was controllable and AF disappeared after the operation. Although there is no established maze procedure with cor triatriatum, removing the septum was effective to complete it.     

Cardiac Myxoma

Ten patients with cardiac myxoma were reviewed. They ranged from 23 months to 60 years old. Echocardiography was the most helpful noninvasive diagnostic technique. The tumor was demonstrated by angiocardiography, left atrial myxomas frequently migrating to the left ventricle in diastole. Hemodynamically, left atrial myxomas were associated with moderately severe pulmonary hypertension and simulated mitral stenosis or insufficiency and right atrial myxomas, with right atrial hypertension. There were 7 myxomas in the left atrium, 2 in the right atrium, and 1 in the right ventricle.Eight patients underwent open-heart operation with removal of the myxoma, 1 had concomitant tricuspid valve replacement, and 1 had biopsy of the right ventricle only. The other patient was a Jehovah's Witness and refused operation. One patient died of cardiac arrest intraoperatively, and another died of a bilateral cerebral infarct. One patient had recurrence requiring reoperation. Postoperative hemodynamic and clinical improvement was more striking in patients with a left atrial myxoma presumably due to a normal mitral valve in contradistinction to the tricuspid valve.     

Left atrial myxoma and mitral valve endocarditis--a cause and effect: a case report

We report the case of a 55-year-old man who presented with an infected left atrial myxoma that seeded a normal native mitral valve. Despite the absence of mitral regurgitation or heart failure, prior to the patient completing a course of IV antibiotic therapy we removed the tumor, replaced the mitral valve, and added 3 coronary artery bypass grafts, following a single embolic event. Although a completed course of antibiotic therapy may have allowed preservation of the native mitral valve, we believed that the risk of recurrent embolization from either the mass or the mitral valve vegetations was greater that the long-term risks of valve replacement.     

The use of PGE1 in an elderly patient with mitral valve regurgitation during general anesthesia

PGE1 has a beneficial effect on cardiac failure with mitral valve regurgitation by decreasing the "after load". An 82-year-old female had a total cystectomy of a bladder tumor. The preoperative standard 12 lead electrocardiogram showed atrial fibrillation and incomplete right bundle branch block. The preoperative echocardiogram showed regurgitation of both mitral valve and tricuspid valve. Under heavy premedication, we intubated with fentanyl and pancuronium bromide, maintained anesthesia with enflurane. After incision, both pulmonary artery pressure and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure increased, and cardiac index decreased. Continuous injection of 100ng.kg-1.min-1 PGE1 made pulmonary artery pressure and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure to decrease, and cardiac index to increase. PaO2, however, decreased apparently. PGE1 was effective for cardiac failure with mitral valve regurgitation associated with pulmonary hypertension. But attention must be given to the decrease in PaO2.     

The changing unnatural history of valvular regurgitation.

In the past 15 years three major advancements have improved the lot of our patients with left-sided valvular regurgitation. First, the concept that mitral and aortic regurgitation were similar volume overloading lesions has changed. Mitral regurgitation constitutes a nearly pure volume overload wherein the excess volume is ejected against relatively low pressure into the left atrium. On the other hand, aortic regurgitation represents a combined pressure and volume overload in which the excess volume being pumped is ejected against the relatively high pressure of the aorta. These differences in loading between mitral and aortic regurgitation produce a different response to operation. Afterload reduction after correction of aortic regurgitation increases ejection performance if it was decreased preoperatively. Conversely, afterload increases after mitral valve replacement, decreasing ejection performance. These differences make the left ventricle in mitral regurgitation less tolerant of preoperative dysfunction than the left ventricle in aortic regurgitation. Second, with respect to aortic regurgitation, reproducible indexes have been developed that identify when left ventricular dysfunction is present, leading to earlier operation in an attempt to avoid permanent ventricular dysfunction. In turn, earlier operation has led to a fall in operative mortality rate and an almost universal increase in left ventricular function if it was depressed preoperatively. Third, with regard to mitral regurgitation, recognition of the importance of the mitral valve apparatus in maintaining left ventricular function has led to an increased emphasis on chordal preservation during mitral valve operations.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Role of intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography in detecting masked mitral regurgitation during left atrial myxoma surgery

Myxomas are the most common type of cardiac tumor. Mobile or large left atrial (LA) myxomas frequently cause functional mitral stenosis, and can lead to mitral regurgitation (MR). Difficulties have been associated with detecting masked MR jets and evaluating the severity of MR during LA myxoma surgery due to the presence of a prolapsing tumor and changes in blood flow. We herein presented a case of LA myxoma with significant MR diagnosed on intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) prior to cardiopulmonary bypass. Repeated careful observations on TEE led to a confident diagnosis of MR and the selection of an additional appropriate procedure. This case study highlighted the importance of intraoperative TEE in supporting clinical decision-making for optimal mitral valve procedures during LA myxoma surgery.     

A modified maze procedure performed only on the left atrium for chronic atrial fibrillation associated with mitral valve disease: Report of a case

We describe herein the successful treatment of a patient with chronic atrial fibrillation (AF) associated with mitral valve stenosis and regurgitation, achieved by performing a modified maze procedure on the left atrium alone. The patient was a 51-year-old man who had suffered from intractable AF for 17 years, causing multiple cerebral emboli and palpitations. He had undergone open mitral commissurotomy and balloon commissurotomy 15 and 7 years ago, respectively. On admission, an echocardiogram revealed mitral valve restenosis and thrombosis in the left atrial appendage. Prosthetic valvular replacement was performed following isolation of all pulmonary veins with cryoablation to the posterior wall of the left atrium and excision of the left atrial appendage. Postoperatively, the AF disappeared and echocardiogram demonstrated a left atrial kick in the mitral valvular inflow without any evidence of thrombosis in the left atrium. Thus, we believe that our modified left side only maze procedure is a simple and efficient method for the treatment of chronic AF with mitral valve disease.     

Pediatric left atrial myxoma: surgical excision and mitral valve plasty.

This report describes the case of a 12-year-old girl with a giant left atrial myxoma who presented with severe mitral regurgitation symptoms. Echocardiography demonstrated a 69 x 30 mm solid mass in the left atrium (LA), occupying almost the entire mitral orifice. After successful surgical excision of the tumor, concomitant with mitral valve plasty, there was no clinical or echocardiographic recurrence at 12-month follow-up.     

Giant left atrial myxoma in a patient with mitral insufficiency: case report

We describe a 57-year-old female patient with left atrial giant myxoma and peroperative defined mitral insufficiency who underwent surgery with a diagnosis of a left atrial myxoma without accompanying mitral insufficiency. Although no clinical findings of mitral insufficiency were noticed preoperatively, after myxoma resection moderate mitral insufficiency was observed during surgery. Mitral insufficiency was repaired with annuloplasty. The patient recovered without complication.