Cardiac myxoma: preoperative diagnosis using a multimodal imaging approach and surgical outcome in a large contemporary series

Abstract

Diagnosis of cardiac myxoma is typically suggested in the presence of symptoms and echocardiographic findings of an intracardiac mass and confirmed histologically. Coronary angiography (CA) and cardiac magnetic-resonance-imaging (MRI) may provide specific additional information which could lead to a precise preoperative diagnosis. Herein we report a series of 28 patients who underwent excision of myxoma between 1998 and 2005. Data analysis included patient demographics, clinical presentation, imaging modalities, and operative outcome. Echocardiography revealed an intra-atrial mass in all patients but did not differentiate between myxoma and other formations such as thrombi. CA showed neovascularization suggestive of cardiac tumor in 12 (53%) patients. MRI demonstrated specific characteristics of myxomatous tissue in all cases. Surgical removal was performed with no hospital mortality or major complications. Mid-term survival was similar to that of the general population. In patients with a cardiac mass, echocardiography remains the first diagnostic imaging modality but does not allow definite discrimination between cardiac tumors and thrombi. CA shows neovascularization in 50% and has, therefore, a low sensitivity and specificity in distinguishing the nature of the mass. MRI shows specific tissue characteristics facilitating the diagnosis of myxoma preoperatively. Surgery should be performed promptly and this can provide excellent early and mid-term results.