LEFT ATRIAL-MYXOMA PRESENTING WITH MYOCARDIAL-INFARCTION CASE-REPORT AND REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

Coronary artery embolization is an extremely rare and potentially leth al complication of atrial myxomas. We present a case report and a lite rature review of this clinical association. A 53-year-old woman presen ted with an acute infero-lateral myocardial infarction. Coronary angio graphy performed 1 h after the onset of pain disclosed an abrupt stop and multiple embolization of the peripheral right coronary artery (RCA ). A transthoracic echocardiographic study revealed the presence in th e left atrium of an echogenic, mobile mass, compatible with myxoma. Th e tumour was successfully removed surgically 2 weeks later and the pat ient is doing well one year post operatively. (C) 1997 Elsevier Scienc e Ireland Ltd.