Experiences With Left Atrial Myxoma

Summary Four cases of left atrial myxoma discovered in the course of 159 mitral commissurotomies are described. Mitral valve disease was mimicked closely in every case, both clinically and hæmodynamically. Hæmodynamic data are presented for three cases, including one in which the myxoma was removed. The diagnosis should be suspected in mitral disease of recent or sudden onset with constitutional symptoms or systemic embolism, especially with sinus rhythm. The classical description of syncope on change of posture occurs only in 18% of patients. It was not a feature of any of these cases. Left atrial myxoma is best shown by angiography with injection into the pulmonary artery.