Demographic and clinical features of atrial myxomas: A case series analysis

Abstract

Aim: Cardiac myxomas are uncommon tumors and have a wide clinical spectrum. Their diagnosis can therefore be elusive because symptoms are nonspecific and misleading. Our aim was to characterize and analyze the clinical findings in patients presenting with cardiac myxomas.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective, hospital-based case study using the electronic records of a Spanish general hospital, caring for a population of 155,000. Patients' data were collected for the period between 2000 and 2016. Demographic data and clinical features were analyzed.

Results: Our series included 22 patients over a 15-year period (annual incidence of 0.94 patients per 100,000 inhabitants). Men were predominant (68%) and the median age was 69 years. Cardiac (40.9%), systemic (27.3%), and neurological manifestations (13.6%) were the main clinical features. Left atrium (81.8%) was the predominant location. Surgical treatment was performed in all patients and the overall outcome was good in all cases.

Conclusions: Cardiac myxomas are uncommon, benign tumors, predominantly located in the left atrium and mainly affecting middle-aged and elderly male patients. Congestive heart failure, stroke, and systemic symptoms, although misleading and nonspecific, are the most frequent forms of clinical presentation.

Keywords: Atrial myxoma; cardiac benign tumors; epidemiology.