Left Atrial Myxoma Embolization Presenting as Acute Limb Ischemia: An Unusual Presentation

Cardiac myxomas are rare with reported incidences of less than 0.03%. Cardiac myxomas are most commonly observed in the left atrium. Their clinical manifestations vary and most are non-specific to the diagnosis. The most common extra-cardiac manifestations are thromboembolic infarcts from tumor embolization. A previously healthy 55-year-old man presented with findings suggestive of acute arterial limb ischemia. Following surgical treatment of his acute presentation, a left atrial mass was found on echocardiography suggesting that the embolization was secondary to a cardiac myxoma. The patient was discharged without complication. Embolic myxoma should be included in the differential in younger, previously healthy patients presenting with acute arterial limb ischemia without obvious cause. Our patient's dramatic presentation with a single acute event, however, prompted immediate treatment and resulted in a functional recovery with minimal complications.