MYXOMA OF THE LEFT ATRIAL APPENDAGE MIMICKING THROMBUS DURING AORTIC-VALVE REPLACEMENT

Echocardiographic characterization of cardiac masses involving the lef t atrium are defined by morphologic shape and appearance, site of atta chment, type of margins, and presence or absence in the left atrial ap pendage. Most reports use location in the LAA as strong supportive evi dence of thrombus, especially if associated with other suggestive find ings (i.e., atrial fibrillation, spontaneous echo contrast, or both). Other reported masses (non-thrombi) in the left atrial appendage are c onsidered exremely rare. We report a case of a patient with coexisting aortic stenosis and atrial fibrillation diagnosed intraoperatively by transesophageal echocardiography with myxoma of the left atrial appen dage.