Coronary angiography of cardiac myxoma

Clinical Significance of Angiographically Detectable Neovascularity in Patients with Cardiac Myxoma

Background: Myxomas are the most common primary cardiac tumors. Angiographically detectable neovascularity (ADN) of myxoma is increasingly being reported as a result of the use of coronary angiography (CAG) to detect coronary artery disease. However, the clinical significance of these findings is not fully understood.Methods: We enrolled 59 patients with cardiac myxoma who also underwent CAG between January 2013 and October 2018. Patients were followed up for a mean of 28.9 months (range 1‐69 months). The clinical features, echocardiography measurements, pathological examination findings, CAG results, and outcomes during follow-up were compared between patients with ADN and patients without ADN.Results: ADN was found in 25 patients (42.4%). The arteries feeding the ADN included the right coronary artery (n=15), the left circumflex coronary artery (n=7), and both arteries (n=3). The patients with ADN had a higher proportion of eosinophils (3.2% vs. 2.2%, P=0.03) and higher low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level (2.7 mmol/L vs. 2.2 mmol/L, P=0.02). Myxoma pedicles were more likely to be located in the interatrial septum in patients with ADN (96% vs. 73.5%, P=0.02). No significant correlation was observed between the groups in clinical manifestations, atrial arrhythmia, myxoma size, cardiac chamber size, left ventricular ejection fraction, and the prevalence of complication with coronary artery disease [16% in the ADN group (n=4) vs. 20.6% in the non-ADN group (n=7), P=0.66]. However, patients with ADN tended to have a lower incidence of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events on long-term follow-up (0% vs. 14.7%, P=0.07).Conclusion: CAG-detected ADN in patients with cardiac myxoma is associated with a borderline lower rate of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events.

Value of Coronary Angiography in the Cardiac Myxoma

Preoperative coronary angiography for cardiac myxoma not only excludes coronary artery disease but also detects the artery feeding the cardiac myxoma, which has several clinical implications. In this study, we examined cardiac myxoma cases in two tertiary hospitals using coronary angiography to identify the artery feeding the myxoma. We retrospectively reviewed 42 patients with cardiac myxoma who had undergone surgical removal between July 2008 and December 2015 in two tertiary hospitals, and recorded their baseline characteristics, echocardiographic findings, and coronary angiography. Among those 42 patients, 23 (55%) had coronary angiography before surgery and in no case was significant luminal narrowing observed. In 21 of the coronary angiograms, the artery feeding the cardiac myxoma had a vascular branch (100%), clusters of tortuous vessels with contrast medium pooling (67%), an arteriocavity fistula (33%), and a mobile feeding artery (67%). No significant relationship was found between coronary artery dominance type and the origin of the artery feeding the cardiac myxoma (P = 0.362). Identification of the artery feeding the cardiac myxoma, with a distinctive vascular appearance in coronary angiography, is important for several clinical applications such as helping to diagnose cardiac myxoma and to plan the surgical approach. Clin. Anat. 33:833-838, 2020. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Left atrial myxoma: an unusual cause of postpartum tachycardia and shortness of breath

Primary cardiac tumours are exceedingly rare in clinical practice and a myxoma is certainly not the first suspected diagnosis on a list of differentials in a patient presenting with breathlessness and tachycardia. Naturally, a structured work-up to rule out much more common conditions will take place. Nonetheless, an index of clinical suspicion is required especially when a clear-cut diagnosis is not forthcoming. We describe a case of a postpartum woman who presented with shortness of breath and palpitations, and was eventually diagnosed with a left atrial tumour. She underwent a successful surgical excision of the mass which was found to be a myxoma on histological examination. We review and present an up-to-date literature review on epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical features, diagnosis and treatment options for cardiac myxomas.

The importance of mass diameter in decision-making for preoperative coronary angiography in myxoma patients

OBJECTIVES

Although coronary angiography (CAG) is generally performed to rule out coexisting coronary artery disease in patients with cardiac myxoma, its necessity to evaluate vascular supply of the myxoma is debatable. The aim of this article is to evaluate clinical experience and CAG findings in our patient group.

METHODS

This retrospective analysis was performed in 46 patients (17 men, mean age 57.7 ± 8.6 years), who underwent surgery with an indication for cardiac myxoma between 2004 and 2016 with a CAG performed preoperatively. All CAGs were evaluated in a blinded manner by a cardiac surgeon and a cardiologist separately. Correlations between the presence and pattern of feeding vessels, presence of an arteriocavity fistula (ACF), coronary arterial dominance, size of mass and clinical presentations were analysed.

RESULTS

Coronary artery disease defined as >50% obstructive lesions was detected in 10 patients (21.7%). The tumour diameter was found to be significantly higher in patients who had an ACF and a dual-feeding artery (P = 0.049 and P = 0.0001, respectively). Additionally, there was a significant relationship between the presence of dual-feeding vessels and ACF (P = 0.014). ROC analysis revealed a cut-off point of 27 mm in diameter based on the presence of an ACF and a dual-feeding artery. In cases with a diameter of 27 mm or above, the risk of existence of an ACF was 4.68-fold greater, with a confidence interval of 95%, and a dual-feeding pattern was seen in all of them.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that preoperative CAG can be considered to detect feeding vessels that may lead to a steal phenomenon, which may alter the management in patients with myxoma greater than 27 mm in diameter.

Multi-modality imaging of a left atrial myxoma

Objectives

Although echocardiography has traditionally been used to diagnose myxoma, invasive or non-invasive coronary angiography can be useful diagnostic tool before surgery.

Methods

We present a case of an angiographically detected left atrial myxoma feeding from the left circumflex coronary artery.

Results

The patient underwent open-heart surgery to remove the left atrial myxoma. After ligation of feeding artery, the mass was successfully excised.

Conclusion

Preoperative coronary angiography can offer additional valuable information moreover detecting coronary artery disease. Because, there is sudden death risk from embolization during invasive coronary angiography, preoperative cardiac computed tomography angiography should be considered to plan the surgery of myxoma.

Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Prevalence of Coronary Artery Disease in Adult Patients with Cardiac Myxomas

Background: Studies have reported varied prevalence estimates of coronary artery disease (CAD) in cardiac myxoma patients. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies to summarize the point prevalence of CAD in adults with cardiac myxomas. Methods and Results: Two independent investigators searched MEDLINE and LILACS databases using the terms " Myxoma", " Coronary Angiography" and " Coronary Disease" from inception through December 2014 for all relevant studies. We included 6 observational studies. Publication bias was evaluated through Egger's test and Trim and Fill method. A pooled estimate of CAD prevalence with corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated based on a random-effects model. The pooled CAD prevalence in adult cardiac myxoma patients was 20.7% with low heterogeneity (I ² = 14.86%). Conclusions: It is a matter of debate if preoperative coronary angiography must be done as a routine procedure. Although coronary disease and angiographically detectable neovascularity can alter surgical management, more studies are needed to evaluate this question.

The value of coronary angiography in the work-up of atrial myxomas

Atrial myxomas are the most common primary cardiac tumors. They are highly vascular with evidence of neovascularization and a characteristic"tumor blush" in approximately half of the cases. Although the visualization of feeding vessels has several clinical and therapeutic implications, there is still no consensus on the indication of preoperative coronary angiography to assess tumor vascularity except in patients with angina or those older than 40 years to rule out coronary artery disease. Herein, I present a case of an incidentally discovered right atrial mass receiving vascular supply from the right coronary artery. The mass was successfully excised and the diagnosis of cardiac myxoma was confirmed via histopathology. A review of the value of coronary angiography in detecting myxoma neovascularization is provided, which suggests that it can offer additional valuable information that can alter the surgical approach and therefore may be considered prior to myxoma resection.