Atrial Myxoma Saddle Aortic Embolism: An Overview

Although they are rare, atrial myxomas are the most common primary cardiac tumours, to be followed by sarcomas. These tumours are benign and don’t metastasize; however, they do embolize. Myxoma emboli usually go into the systemic circulation because of their usual location in the left atrium. Early diagnosis is usually challenging because of the non-specific symptoms. Therefore, it is not uncommon to have them presented with embolism, congestive heart failure or sudden cardiac death. Vascular surgeons are usually exposed to those tumours when the affected patients come to A/E department with acutely ischaemic limb(s) and / or strokes. Only after initial imaging and /or embolectomy, myxoma might be considered as a possible culprit. Once suspected, further detailed cardiac imaging must be done urgently to confirm the diagnosis in order to proceed with tumour resection at the earliest, considering myxoma tumour propensity for recurrent and multiple embolization with the subsequent high risk of morbidity and mortality. Hence, a high index of suspicion, early diagnosis and excision of these masses are vital to avoid the adverse clinical outcome, taking into account the excellent prognosis after resection [1-4].

Keywords:Left Atrium; Myxoma; Myxomectomy; Saddle Embolus; Acute Limb Ischaemia