Operative strategies for resection of pulmonary sarcomas extending into the left atrium

Pulmonary sarcomas may extend into the left atrium through the pulmonary ve ins, requiring the use of cardiopulmonary bypass for resection. The operati ve strategy for these complicated resections must account for the lateralit y of the tumor, the extent of atrial involvement, the severity of local inv asion within the hemithorax, and intrinsic surgical heart disease, if prese nt. We discuss these issues using an illustrative case of a patient with a right pulmonary sarcoma extending from the lateral chest wall into the left atrium. (Ann Thorac Surg 1999;67:1165-7) (C) 1999 by The Society of Thorac ic Surgeons.