title: The dangers of cardiac myxomas.
abstract: A variety of cardiac tumors have been acknowledged in the literature since the 16th century as rare forms of cardiac disease. Of the primary tumors, myxomas account for at least 30% to 50% of benign tumors. Despite significant advances in cardiac diagnostics leading to early recognition of myxomas, the potential for deleterious effects secondary to embolic complications remains high. The purpose of this paper is to provide nurses with an understanding of the epidemiology, pathology, clinical presentation, and assessment of individuals with cardiac myxomas. A case presentation is used to illustrate how the misdiagnosis of cardiac myxoma led to a delay in patient treatment. Prompt recognition, diagnosis, and treatment are important in improving patient outcomes and quality of life. Due to the infrequency of cardiac myxomas, ensuring appropriate preoperative and postoperative nursing care to the patient with a cardiac myxoma is essential.
authors.affiliation: Metabolic Centre, University of Alberta Hospital, 8440-112 Street, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. sroschko@cha.uab.ca
authors.forename: Sylvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Roschkov
authors.forename: Darlene
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rebeyka
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mah
authors.forename: Gayle
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Urquhart
mesh_terms: D042241:Early Diagnosis; D004452:Echocardiography; D006338:Heart Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D006347:Heart Sounds; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009232:Myxoma / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D009360:Neoplastic Cells, Circulating; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D009733:Nursing Diagnosis; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D019990:Perioperative Care / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing; D011379:Prognosis; D011788:Quality of Life; D016896:Treatment Outcome