From April 1977 to March 1991, 44 patients have undergone excision of intracardiac myxomas, 36 cases were located in the left atrium(81.8%), 3 cases in the right atrium(6.8%), 2 cases in the right ventricle(4.5%), 3 cases in the left
ventricle(6.8%).
There were 32 female and 12 male.
The mean age of patients was 39.6±12.3 years(ranged 11 to 67 years). The major preoperative symptoms included exertional dyspnea in 35(79.5%). Palpitation in 23(52.3%), syncopal episodes in 9(20.4%), and signs of systemic illness; low-grade
fever,
weight loss, arthralgia, headache and so on. The diagnosis was made by echocardiography alone in 7(15.9%), and by combination of angiography and echocardiography in 37(84.1%). The weight of the tumor ranged from 15 to 115gm(mean weight,
47.6±27.6gm),
and the volum of the tumor was 129.1㎤(±149.0). Follow-up time ranged from 0.6 to 9 years(mean follow-up, 65±3.22 years). There were no early and late deaths during the follow-up period. Tumor recurred in one patient with left atrial myxoma 8
years
later, who underwent successful reoperation. Postoperative complications occurred in 12 patients : episodes of supraventricular arrhythmia in 7. convulsion in 2, wound problem in 2, tricuspid valve regurgitation in 1, massive bleeding in 1, and
intubation granuloma in one.
In conclusion, surgical excision of the myxoma can be considered curative with excellent long-term result.
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