A rare case of rapidly progressive atrial myxoma masquerading as cough syndrome

Abstract

Primary cardiac tumors are rare; however, atrial myxoma is one of the most common benign cardiac tumors. Myxomas may arise from any of the cardiac chambers but have a predilection for the left atrium. Its manifestations may mimic left heart failure or pulmonary hypertension either by causing blood flow obstruction or by mitral regurgitation. Patients can also present with thromboembolic features. Often, the diagnosis may be missed or delayed due to subclinical cardiac manifestations. Prompt diagnosis and surgical resection is necessary for favorable prognosis. Often, mitral valve replacement may be needed. We report a rare case of rapidly growing atrial myxoma in a 39-year-old female who presented with progressively worsening shortness of breath and cough with a previously normal echocardiogram 8 months prior. Her symptoms resolved after surgical resection and mitral valve replacement.

A fast-growing myxoma of the left atrium

“…Urgent cardiac surgery was performed on our patient with a satisfactory outcome, preventing further deterioration of mitral obstruction and subsequent adverse sequelae. The finding of the myxoma was incidental, as a COPD exacerbation caused the main symptoms, although a recent case report described a left atrial myxoma masquerading as cough syndrome, and cardiac asthma has similar auscultation findings to COPD exacerbation [ 4 ] .…”