What question did this study set out to answer?

To describe the clinical presentation, diagnostic evaluation, and surgical management of a rare primary cardiac hemangioma located in the left atrium.

September 11, 2025JACC Case ReportsOpen Access

Unusual Left Atrial Mass

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Why the study?

Cardiac tumors are rare, with vascular tumors such as hemangiomas accounting for only 1% to 2% of all cardiac tumors.

Key Points

To describe the clinical presentation, diagnostic evaluation, and surgical management of a rare primary cardiac hemangioma located in the left atrium.
Evaluated a 53-year-old woman presenting with palpitations and dyspnea using transthoracic echocardiography.
Performed surgical resection of the suspected left atrial myxoma followed by definitive histopathological examination.
Echocardiographic imaging identified a left atrial intracardiac mass initially presumed to be a myxoma.
Postoperative histopathological analysis established the definitive diagnosis of a vascular cardiac hemangioma, with surgical excision achieving complete resolution.

Structured PICO

Population

53-year-old woman presenting with palpitations and shortness of breath, found to have a left atrial mass

Intervention

Surgical resection

Outcome

Histopathological diagnosis

Highlights the rarity of cardiac hemangiomas, which can mimic myxomas on echocardiography and require surgical resection for definitive diagnosis and treatment.

Implication

Rare hemangiomas may mimic myxomas on echocardiography; this case leaves open refined preoperative differentiation strategies.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Cardiac tumors are rare, with most being benign. Vascular cardiac tumors, such as hemangiomas, account for 1% to 2% of all cardiac tumors. CASE SUMMARY: We present a case of a 53-year-old woman who presented with palpitations and shortness of breath. Echocardiography revealed a left atrial mass, which was thought to be most likely a myxoma. After surgical resection, histopathology revealed the mass to be a cardiac hemangioma. DISCUSSION: Cardiac hemangiomas are uncommon. The first case was reported by Hochberg and Robinson in 1950. These tumors are often asymptomatic and can be mistaken for myxomas. Echocardiography is the imaging modality of choice for diagnosis, and surgical resection is the only definitive treatment. TAKE-HOME MESSAGES: Cardiac hemangiomas are extremely rare, which require a high degree of suspicion for diagnosis. Echocardiography is the best imaging modality, and surgical resection is the only definitive treatment.