Atrial myxoma

Last reviewed: 23 Aug 2023
Last updated: 12 Sep 2023

Summary

Definition

History and exam

Key diagnostic factors

  • dyspnea
  • syncope
  • dizziness
  • CHF/pulmonary edema
  • embolic manifestations
  • systolic or diastolic murmur
  • tumor plop
More key diagnostic factors

Other diagnostic factors

  • weight loss
  • fatigue
  • fever
  • pallor
  • arthralgia
  • Raynaud phenomenon
  • loud first heart sound
  • opening snap
  • Carney complex
  • intracerebral aneurysm
Other diagnostic factors

Risk factors

  • family history of atrial myxoma
  • female sex
  • age 40-60 years
More risk factors

Diagnostic investigations

1st investigations to order

  • echocardiogram
  • ECG
  • CBC
  • CXR
More 1st investigations to order

Investigations to consider

  • erythrocyte sedimentation rate
  • C-reactive protein
  • protein electrophoresis
  • CT scan (chest)
  • MRI scan (chest)
  • biopsy
More investigations to consider

Treatment algorithm

ACUTE

surgical candidate

non-surgical candidate

Contributors

Authors

Syed Wamique Yusuf, MBBS, FRCPI
Syed Wamique Yusuf

Professor of Medicine

Department of Cardiology

University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

Houston

TX

Disclosures

SWY declares that he has no competing interests.

Acknowledgements

Dr Syed Wamique Yusuf would like to gratefully acknowledge the assistance of Dr Daniel J. Lenihan.

Disclosures

DJL declares that he has no competing interests.

Peer reviewers

Paul Heidenreich, MD

Associate Professor of Medicine

Stanford University

Stanford

CA

Disclosures

PH declares that he has no competing interests.

Richard Steingart, MD

Chief

Cardiology Service

Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center

New York

NY

Disclosures

RS declares that he has no competing interests.

Barry Kneale, MD, FRCP

Integrated Lead Cardiologist

Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust and Cardiac Department

Worthing Hospital

Worthing

UK

Disclosures

BK declares that he has no competing interests.

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