Myxoma of the left atrium

Overview

The authors describe fourth cases of left atrial myxomas detected at the cardiology out-patient clinic. In all cases, diagnosis was determined by echocardiography. A tumour in the left atrium can give rise to various symptoms. This article aims to stress the importance of echocardiography in patients with atypical clinical symptoms that may be caused by myxoma (a benign tumour most often localized in the left atrium), which requires surgical removal.

Key words:
myxoma, echocardiography, syncope, embolism.