Left atrial myxoma-influence of tumour size on electrocardiographic findings

Abstract

Objective: The data of 51 patients (33 females) who underwent excision of left atrial (LA) myxoma were retrospectively reviewed for correlation of tumour size and electrocardiographic (ECG) findings.

Methods and results: Mean age was 39.1 ± 15 years (range 9-53 years). The LA enlargement (LAE) on ECG was defined by standard criteria. The LAE in ECG in these patients did not correlate with echocardiographic LA dimensions or with the degree of left ventricular (LV) inflow obstruction. But it was found that the presence of LAE in ECG predicted maximum tumour dimension of >5 cm and correlated with the degree of mitral regurgitation (MR). The LAE in ECG disappeared following surgery in 87.5% of patients.

Conclusion: The LA enlargement on ECG in a patient with LA myxoma signifies larger tumour size or the presence of significant MR but is not necessarily associated with an increased LA size or LV inflow obstruction.