Tricuspid valve myxoma in a patient with congestive heart failure

Enrico Vizzardi,Cristian Maiandi,Gregoriana Zanini,Roberto Cabras,Giacomo Faden,Ermannna Chiari,Matilde Nardi,Antonio D'Aloia,Livio Dei Cas

doi:10.1186/1757-1626-3-21

Abstract

Myxomas are the most frequent benign primary cardiac tumours (50% of benign heart tumours). This kind of tumour is most likely to be localized in the left atrium, followed by the right atrium, right ventricle and left ventricle. Quite exceptional is the presence of a myxoma originating from the tricuspid valve or from the Eustachian valve. We describe the case of a woman with moderate dyspnoea of unknown origin and the presence of tricuspid myxoma who underwent tricuspid valve curettage.

Highlights

Myxomas are the most frequent benign primary cardiac tumours (50% of benign heart tumours)
Myxomas are rarely localized in the right heart originating from the right atrium or from the tricuspid valve; they usually present symptoms related to low cardiac output or to pulmonary arterial hypertension with hepatomegaly, oedema, ascites and cyanosis
The literature reports patients who were symptomatic for syncopes and dyspnoea [1,2] or embolic manifestations that usually involved the lungs [6,7]

Summary

Introduction

Background Myxomas are the most frequent benign primary cardiac tumours (50% of benign heart tumours). They are most commonly detected in people between 30 and 60 years of age, published findings report congenital myxomas, tumours developed during childhood and even in extremely old patients. Case Report A 44-year-old woman was evaluated for moderate dyspnoea of unknown origin.

Results

Conclusion