Catastrophic systemic embolization from a left atrial myxoma

Tex Heart Inst J. 2014 Feb;41(1):64-6. doi: 10.14503/THIJ-12-2964.

Abstract

We report the fatal course of a left atrial myxoma: its systemic embolization to the coronary, cerebral, renal, and peripheral vascular beds in a 39-year-old woman resulted in rapid clinical deterioration, multiorgan failure, and death. Among reported cases of left atrial myxoma, this degree of embolic burden is exceedingly rare. In addition to reporting the patient's case, we discuss the presentation and diagnosis of possible intracardiac sources of systemic emboli.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Biopsy
  • Catastrophic Illness
  • Coronary Angiography
  • Coronary Occlusion / diagnosis
  • Coronary Occlusion / etiology*
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Heart Atria / pathology
  • Heart Neoplasms / complications
  • Heart Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery / diagnosis
  • Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery / etiology*
  • Multiple Organ Failure / diagnosis
  • Multiple Organ Failure / etiology
  • Myxoma / complications
  • Myxoma / pathology*
  • Neoplastic Cells, Circulating / pathology*
  • Renal Artery Obstruction / diagnosis
  • Renal Artery Obstruction / etiology*
  • Risk Factors