Atrial Myxoma

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was written by MSc Nguyen Xuan Thanh - Cardiologist, Cardiology Center - Vinmec Times City International General Hospital.
Atrial myxoma is a benign tumor located in the left atrium or in the right atrium of the heart. Usually the tumor develops from the bifurcation of the right atrium and the left atrium.

1. Symptoms of atrial fibrillation

Symptoms that often manifest when changing positions include: shortness of breath when lying flat, chest pain, feeling of tightness in the chest, dizziness, palpitations, sometimes fainting.

2. Causes and risk factors

Atrial myxoma is a primary tumor that originates in the heart, unlike other tumors that often originate elsewhere, metastasize to the heart via hematogenous or invade the heart from nearby areas.
Primary cardiac tumors are rare and mucinous tumors are the most common. Most of the atrial myxomas are found in the left atrium, often with stalks originating from the atrial septum, the rest are less common in the right atrium.
Atrial fissures are more common in women. About 10% of myomas are familial; in these individuals, the tumor is more common in multiple locations in the heart and presents with symptoms in younger patients.

3. Diagnosis of atrial myxoma

Your doctor may order tests such as an electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, cardiac CT scan, or cardiac MRI to make a diagnosis.

4. Complications of atrial myxoma

Although atrial myxoma is a benign tumor, it is a dangerous tumor because it is located in the heart. If left untreated, the tumor will cause many complications, including: the tumor can burst, drift with the blood stream and cause embolism in other parts of the body such as cerebral embolism, visceral embolism, limb embolism.
Especially if the tumor is inserted into the mitral valve hole, blocking the blood flow through the mitral valve, it can cause fainting or even sudden death for the patient.

5. Treatment of atrial fibrillation

The best treatment for atrial myxoma is surgical removal of the tumor. In some patients, mitral and tricuspid regurgitation may be required.
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