Current challenges in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiac myxoma

Cardiac myxoma is the most common benign cardiac tumor. It is located in the left atrium and typically arisesfrom the foramen ovale in approximately 75% of the general patient population, in the right atrium in 23%, and in the ventricles in only 2%. Symptoms depend on its size, mobility, and relation to surrounding cardiac structures. Neurological complications resulting from cardiac myxoma are seen in 20% to 25% of patients. Molecular genetic studies show that the condition can be inherited in Carney complex due to mutations of the PRKAR1A gene. Cardiac myxoma resection is a cardiac surgery with a low complication rate and the 30-day mortality of up to 10%. Recurrence may be observed months or years after surgery, and its rate is approximately 5%. Long-term follow-up with transthoracic echocardiography is needed in all patients after tumor resection. This review summarizes the available data on cardiac myxoma and, in particular, issues relating to diagnosis and treatment.