What is left atrial myxoma?

What is left atrial myxoma?

എന്താണ് ലെഫ്റ് ഏറ്റ്രിയൽ മിക്‌സോമ?

लेफ्ट एट्रिअल मिक्सोमा क्या है?

Myxoma is a primary tumour of the heart. Primary tumours of the heart are much less common than the secondary tumours of the heart. A myxoma in the left upper chamber of the heart is called left atrial myxoma. Echocardiogram, ultrasound study of the heart, can demonstrate left atrial myxoma very well. Left atrial myxoma is seen on echocardiogram as a mass.

It is seen moving towards the left ventricle from left atrium in diastole. Diastole is the period during which the left ventricle relaxes after a contraction. Left ventricle is the left lower chamber of the heart into which blood flows from the left atrium. As the tumour has a long stalk, it moves along with blood flow as much as the length of the stalk permits. This myxoma was attached to the wall between the two upper chambers (interatrial septum), as noted in another view of echocardiogram. Myxomas can occur rarely in right atrium also.

Right atrial myxomas are rarer than left atrial myxomas. Myxomas can occur in the right ventricle and the left ventricle very rarely. Sometimes myxomas can be familial. Familial myxomas are associated with pigmented skin spots and certain other types of tumours. They are also associated with gene mutations, which can be detected by genetic studies.

Short video clipping showing a left atrial myxoma. In diastole, the mass is seen moving into the open mitral valve. Multicoloured mitral regurgitation jet is seen behind the mass. Mitral regurgitation is a leak in the mitral valve, between the left upper and lower chambers. Leak can occur when the tumour prevents proper closure of the mitral valve. The tumour can also obstruct the valve producing sudden fall in blood pressure and fainting. Occasionally a small piece of the tumour can break off and move in the blood circulation. If the piece blocks a blood vessel of the brain, it can cause a stroke.