Left atrial myxoma: Hemodynamic and phonocardiographic features

Two cases of left atrial myxoma are presented, with a review of clinical clues which may help in distinguishing this disease from mitral valve disease. Suggestive features in the apexcardiogram and internal and external phonocardiograms are discussed, together with related hemodynamic events indicated on the pulmonary capillary wedge, left atrial and left ventricular pressure tracings. The origins of various auscultatory features are analyzed in the light of specific hemodynamic events. Hemolytic anemia was present in one case, and ruptured chordae tendineae with scarring and myxomatous degeneration of the mitral leaflets in the other. Possible mechanisms for these lesions related to myxoma are discussed. The role of cardiac fluoroscopy, left ventricular cineangiography and the levophase of pulmonary angiography in helping to delineate left atrial myxoma is also mentioned.