Sudden death can occur in a patient with an atrial myxoma.
An atrial myxoma may be silent or be symptomatic.
Symptoms may include:
(1) syncope and/or vertigo
(2) embolization
(2a) pulmonary embolism on right sided
(2b) peripheral emboli on left side: TIA, stroke, coronary arteries
(3) myalgia or muscle weakness
(4) weight loss
(5) arthralgia
(6) fatigue
(7) fever
Causes of sudden death may include:
(1) massive pulmonary embolism
(2) obstruction of a coronary artery
(3) acute obstruction of blood flow across the tricuspid or mitral valve (ball valve effect)
Histologic exam of thromboemobli show myxomatous material.
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Specialty: Clinical Laboratory, Cardiology
