Left atrial myxoma: excision guided by transesophageal cross-sectional echocardiography.

We present a patient with a left atrial myxoma in whom the intraoperative use of transesophageal cross-sectional echocardiography proved helpful in selecting the most appropriate surgical approach, thus allowing expeditious and complete excision of the tumor. This technique, which permits continuous monitoring of cardiac function throughout open heart procedures, appears particularly valuable in patients with intracardiac masses.