ACUTE BICAVAL OBSTRUCTION AS A RESULT OF INTRACAPSULAR HEMORRHAGE IN A RIGHT ATRIAL-MYXOMA - REPORT OF A CASE

Right atrial myxomas are rare and presentation is characterised by the gradual onset of one or more of a triad of constitutional, obstructiv e, or embolic symptoms. We describe a case in which interstitial haemo rrhage within a right atrial myxoma resulted in rapid expansion and pr esentation with features of rapidly progressing bicaval obstruction an d atrial flutter. Transthoracic echocardiography failed to detect this tumour; however, transoesophageal echo clearly displayed it and gave information on its attachment and relations which proved to be valuabl e in the planning of its surgical excision. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.