Donor transmitted left atrial myxoma 13 years after heart transplantation

Ann Transplant. 2011 Oct-Dec;16(4):118-21. doi: 10.12659/aot.882228.

Abstract

Background: Left atrial cardiac myxomas are among the most common cardiac masses. However, occurrence of left atrial myxomas in post-transplant patients is very rare and often misdiagnosed as left atrial thrombus formation.

Case report: We report the case of a 67-year old female, who was referred due to suspected left atrial thrombus but was found to have a pediculated mass at the suture line of the left atrium on cardiac MRI. After resection, the diagnosis myxoma was confirmed histologically and the donor origin of the myxoma was proven by tissue typing.

Conclusions: Despite a rare entity, atrial myxomas may occur in post cardiac transplant patients and may therefore support the role of advanced imaging techniques in patients with suspected left atrial masses.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Coronary Thrombosis / diagnosis
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Heart Atria
  • Heart Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Heart Neoplasms / etiology*
  • Heart Neoplasms / surgery
  • Heart Transplantation / adverse effects*
  • Humans
  • Myxoma / diagnosis
  • Myxoma / etiology*
  • Myxoma / surgery
  • Time Factors
  • Tissue Donors