Volume :
6
Issue :
3
Abstract :
An atrial myxoma is a noncancerous tumor in the upper left or right side of the heart. It grows on the wall that separates the two sides of the heart. This wall is called the atrial septum. Atrial myxomas are the most common primary heart tumours. It usually arises as a polypoid, gelatinous structure attached by a pedicle to the left atrium. Myxomas may arise less commonly in the right atrium or the ventricles. From an epidemiologic perspective, cardiac myxomas are divided into the following 2 categories, those that arise sporadically (non-familial myxomas), which account for about 95% of cases, and those that occur in association with a so-called myxoma syndrome (familial myxomas), which account for about 5%. Sudden death may occur in 15% patients with atrial myxoma. Sporadic cardiac myxomas occur approximately twice as often in women as in men. The exact origin of myxoma cells remains uncertain, but they are thought to arise from remnants of subendocardial cells or Multipotential mesenchymal cells in the region of the fossa ovalis, which can differentiate along a variety of cell lines. Signs and symptoms of mitral stenosis, endocarditis, mitral regurgitation, and collagen vascular disease can simulate those of atrial myxoma. The treatment of choice for myxomas is surgical removal. It is usually curative. After the diagnosis has been established, surgery should be performed promptly because of possibility of embolic complications or sudden death. The aim of this review is to find the cause, symptoms and treatment of atrial myxoma, also to make the aware of atrial myxoma.