FormalPara Key Summary Points

Myxomas are the most common benign primary cardiac tumors.

Clinical presentation can vary from an incidental finding to symptoms caused by cardiac obstruction, embolization, and constitutional upset.

We observed a case of troponin-positive chest pain in a patient with a large left atrial myxoma due to coronary artery embolization, a rare but recognized complication.

Urgent surgical resection is indicated to prevent embolic complications and sudden death.

Introduction

Primary cardiac tumors are rare, with an estimated prevalence of 1 in 2000 [1]. Approximately 10% of primary cardiac tumors are malignant and 90% are benign. Myxomas represent the most common type of benign cardiac tumor and occur in the left atrium in 75–85% of cases. Clinical presentation can vary considerably and may include non-specific constitutional symptoms related to interleukin 6, thromboembolic events, or symptoms related to the obstructive effects of the tumor at the mitral valve orifice.

Case Presentation

A 52-year-old woman with a past medical history of treated primary hyperthyroidism presented to the emergency department (ED) with episodes of dizziness and dyspnea on exertion, fatigue, arthralgia, and myalgia for several months. Cardiovascular risk factors included a family history of coronary artery disease and current smoking status. Clinical observations and electrocardiogram on arrival to ED were within normal limits. Initial high-sensitivity troponin T (hsTnT) was 4 ng/l (normal range < 14 ng/l). Inflammatory markers including C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were within normal limits. While in the department, she developed central chest heaviness with dynamic anterolateral T-wave inversion on electrocardiogram. Repeat hsTnT, 3 h after presentation, was elevated at 83 ng/l. She was treated as a suspected acute coronary syndrome and admitted to the coronary care unit for further management.

Transthoracic echocardiogram demonstrated a large left atrial mass measuring 7.1 cm × 4.6 cm attached to the interatrial septum and protruding through the mitral valve into the left ventricle in diastole (Figs. 1, 2, 3 and videos 1–3). The mean gradient across the mitral valve at rest was 6 mmHg in keeping with hemodynamic effects similar to that of moderate mitral stenosis. Left and right ventricular size and function were within normal limits. Cardiac catheterization demonstrated angiographically normal coronary arteries but did show vascular supply to the mass (at 7 o’clock) and vascular movement in keeping with movement of the mass (video 4).

Fig. 1
figure 1

Transthoracic echocardiogram demonstrating the parasternal long-axis view of the left atrial myxoma prolapsing through the mitral valve in diastole

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Fig. 2
figure 2

Apical four-chamber view of left atrial myxoma prolapsing into the left ventricle

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Fig. 3
figure 3

Apical two-chamber view with color flow Doppler demonstrating turbulent flow at the mitral valve orifice in diastole

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She underwent urgent cardiac surgery to excise the left atrial mass. The stalk of the mass was identified and excised circumferentially from the interatrial septum. Left atriotomy was performed to deliver the stalk (measuring 22 mm × 2 mm × 3 mm) and the left atrial mass (measured 67 mm × 48 mm × 30 mm and weighing 62 g) (Fig. 4). Histology demonstrated hypocellular myxoid stroma consistent with an atrial myxoma (Fig. 5). Her post-operative recovery was uncomplicated, and she was discharged 5 days after surgery. We thank the patient for providing their consent to publish this case report.

Fig. 4
figure 4

a, b Gross pathological appearance of left atrial myxoma

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Fig. 5
figure 5

a Histological examination showing loose hypocellular myxoid stroma (hematoxylin and eosin × 20). b Higher-power view of myxoid stroma (× 40)

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video 1: Transthoracic echocardiogram demonstrating the parasternal long axis view of the left atrial myxoma prolapsing through the mitral valve in diastole. (MP4 6987 kb)

video 2: Apical four chamber view of left atrial myxoma prolapsing into the left ventricle. (MP4 7707 kb)

video 3: Apical two chamber view with colour flow doppler demonstrating turbulent flow at the mitral valve orifice in diastole. (MP4 6623 kb)

video 4: Cardiac catheterisation showing vascular supply to the mass (at 7 o’clock) and vascular movement in keeping with movement of the mass. (MP4 10928 kb)

Discussion

Primary cardiac tumors are rare, with an incidence rate of 1.38 per 100,000 people per year in a population study [1]. Of these, myxomas represent the majority and occur in the left atrium in 75–85% of cases. Myxomas are typically benign tumors and clinical presentation can vary from an asymptomatic incidental finding to symptoms caused by cardiac obstruction (cavity, valve, or outflow tracts), embolization and constitutional upset [2]. A possible explanation for our patient’s presentation with troponin-positive chest pain and associated ECG changes is coronary artery embolism, a recognized and potentially fatal complication of atrial myxoma, leading to transient coronary occlusion and myocardial infarction. The incidence of coronary artery embolization has been reported as 0.06% [3], which is likely an underestimate, as spontaneous recanalization has been reported in 23% of such cases [4] and may occur even more frequently. Urgent surgical resection was indicated in this case both due to the large size leading to intermittent obstruction and the suspected coronary embolic event.