Emergency Surgery for Acute Mitral Valve Obstruction Resulting From Hemorrhage Within a Left Atrial Myxoma

Rapid expansion of a left atrial myxoma caused by acute multiple internal hemorrhages: a case report and literature review

BACKGROUND

Left atrial myxoma is the most common benign tumor, with the growth rate remaining unknown because specific symptoms do not present until the tumor grows to a certain size. Early surgical management is performed in most cases once it is detected by physicians. Despite cardiac myxomas commonly being perceived as slow-growing tumors, rapid enlargement of myxomas has been reported.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 64-year-old woman was referred to our hospital with a diagnosis of a left atrial tumor. The pointed tumor changed morphologically in a few hours, and her respiratory condition, which had been normal at admission, suddenly deteriorated. Emergent surgery was performed, and the diagnosis was myxoma with multiple intratumor massive hematomas. The patient recovered uneventfully and was discharged on postoperative day 12 without any complications.

CONCLUSIONS

We report an extremely rare case of left atrial myxoma rapidly expanded due to acute multiple hemorrhages within itself. Massive internal hemorrhage alters the size, shape, and fragility of the tumor. We should recognize the potential risk of internal hemorrhage that may lead to acute deterioration of the so-called "slow-growing benign" tumors, such as myxomas.

Cardiac Myxoma With Unusual Obstructive and Embolic Presentations: Concurrent Stroke and Angiography-Negative Myocardial Infarction--A Case Report

We present a case of cardiac myxoma with atypical presentations of concurrent stroke and angiography-negative myocardial infarction. The case emphasizes the importance of basic echocardiography and timely surgery in the management of cardiac myxoma. An elderly woman presented to the emergency department in an unconscious state. Electrocardiogram and elevated cardiac enzymes suggested acute myocardial infarction; however, immediate coronary angiography proved patency. Basic echocardiography revealed an oscillating left atrial myxoma obstructing inflow through the mitral valve. After regaining consciousness while in the intensive care unit, the patient developed respiratory distress and shock, and emergent en bloc resection was performed. Ataxia was noted in her postoperative course and multiple small cerebellar infarcts were found on magnetic resonance imaging. After a 1-month period of rehabilitation, the patient recovered well and continues to be followed as an outpatient. Cardiac myxoma requires timely management and may be missed if not included in the differential diagnoses. Basic echocardiography, also called focused cardiac ultrasound, may aid in the diagnosing of perplexing cardiac cases.