Cardiac myxomas: surgical treatment and long-term results.

Twenty-six patients have undergone a resection of a cardiac myxoma since 1977. There were five males and 21 females, of age range 14-81 years (mean 50 years). Symptoms included congestive heart failure, emboli, palpitations and syncope. The tumours were located in the left atrium (21 patients), right atrium (four) and right ventricle (one). The hospital mortality rate was 3.8%. Late outcome was known for 24 of 25 (96%) patients. The total follow-up is now 2116 months (mean 88 (range 2-204) months per patient). One patient (4%) died of colonic malignancy 4 years after surgery. Long-term results were satisfactory. Echocardiographic information supporting the absence of recurrence was known for all 23 patients, evaluated at an average of 80 (range 2-196) months postoperatively. Surgical resection is the correct treatment for cardiac myxoma and is imperative following the diagnosis.