title: Left atrial myxoma presenting as acute respiratory failure.
abstract: We report the unusual case of a young man with acute respiratory failure caused by a left atrial myxoma. The patient's rapid clinical deterioration and severe hypoxemia suggested the acute respiratory distress syndrome; however, unexpected physical examination findings and a markedly elevated pulmonary capillary wedge pressure implied cardiac abnormality. The use of echocardiography as a bedside tool allowed correct, rapid diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: Cardiac Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston.
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Morrison
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Eagle
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D006325:Heart Atria; D006338:Heart Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009232:Myxoma / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology*