Key result
Surgical removal of an embolized left atrial myxoma from the abdominal aorta resulted in full recovery, with the residual left atrial stalk spontaneously regressing without further surgery.
Why the study?
Abdominal aortic embolization due to atrial myxoma is an exceptionally rare and life-threatening event with diagnostic and management challenges.
Case Report (n=1)
No
This case demonstrates that embolized atrial myxomas can cause atypical large-vessel occlusion and that small residual stalks may regress spontaneously, emphasizing the need for early echocardiography in unexplained embolisms.
Rare myxoma emboli to the aorta may require surgical extraction with possible spontaneous stalk resolution; extends anecdotal evidence but remains hypothesis-generating.
Abdominal aortic embolization is an exceptionally rare event. While some case reports have noted abdominal aortic aneurysms and occlusions caused by malignancy, abdominal aortic embolism due to a cardiac tumor is unusual. We present a case of infrarenal abdominal aortic embolization resulting from a left atrial myxoma. A 37-year-old man presented with acute bilateral lower limb symptoms. Imaging revealed occlusion of the infrarenal abdominal aorta and both common iliac arteries. Surgical exploration identified and removed a gelatinous mass consistent with a myxoma. Histopathology confirmed the diagnosis. Postoperative echocardiography initially revealed a small residual stalk in the left atrium, which did not demonstrate further growth on follow-up imaging for up to four years. The patient demonstrated a successful recovery and exhibited no signs of recurrence during subsequent follow-up evaluations. This case underscores the diagnostic challenges in atypical aortic occlusion without ischemic signs and highlights the importance of early cardiac imaging in suspected embolic events. The presence of collateral circulation may obscure classical symptoms. n instances where a residual stalk is observed in the left atrium, close monitoring with serial echocardiography may represent a feasible and appropriate strategy. Abdominal aortic embolization secondary to atrial myxoma is rare but life-threatening. Prompt diagnosis using CT angiography and echocardiography, followed by timely surgical management, is critical for survival. Long-term follow-up is essential due to the risk of recurrence. • Abdominal aortic embolization due to atrial myxoma is extremely rare and may present without classical ischemic symptoms. • Postoperative echocardiography revealed a small stalk-like remnant in the left atrium, which was resolved spontaneously; therefore, no cardiac surgery was performed. • This case underscores the essential role of preoperative echocardiography in patients with unexplained large-vessel embolism.
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Nguyen et al. (2025) conducted a case report in Left atrial myxoma with abdominal aortic embolization (n=1). Surgical embolectomy (transverse aortotomy) was evaluated on Postoperative recovery and tumor recurrence. Surgical removal of an embolized left atrial myxoma from the abdominal aorta resulted in full recovery, with the residual left atrial stalk spontaneously regressing without further surgery.
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