Surgery to remove an atrial myxoma may be associated with a number of complications.
Patient selection: atrial myxoma
The risk of surgery is increased with:
(1) a large myxoma that is obstructing the mitral or tricuspid valve orifice
(2) involvement of the conduction system
(3) history of cardiac arrest
(4) pulmonary hypertension
(5) friable tumor with embolization
(6) recurrent atrial myxoma (associated with fibrosis after previous surgery)
Particular care needs to be taken to avoid release of emboli while removing the tumor.
Surgery should be done by a cardiothoracic surgeon with experience in dealing with atrial myxomas.
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Specialty: Cardiology, Surgery, general
