Left ventricular myxoma - A case report

Introduction. A case of left ventricular myxoma, removed surgically by trans-left atrial approach, is presented. Methods and Results. An 18-year-old girl was referred to this cardiology clinic because of repetitive attacks of near-syncope and heart murmur. A left ventricular tumor prolapsing through the aortic valves was found initially by transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography, and then confirmed by cardiac catheterization examination. Emergency operation was performed with cardiopulmonary bypass technique and myocardial protection. The left ventricular cavity was approached through the atrial septum via right atriotomy and, after detachment of the anterior cusp of the mitral valve, the tumor was removed successfully. Subsequently, pathologic examination showed a cardiac myxoma. Conclusion. This paper presents a myxoma of left ventricular origin, which is the first case report published in Taiwan. A trans-left atrial approach was feasible for removal of this tumor.