title: Atrial myxoma presenting with orthostatic hypotension in an 84-year-old Hispanic man: a case report.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Left atrial myxomas remain the most common benign primary cardiac tumors, and these cardiac growths can masquerade as mitral stenosis, infective endocarditis and collagen vascular disease. Atrial myxomas are found in approximately 14-20% of the population and can lead to embolization, intercardiac obstructions, conduction disturbances and lethal valve obstructions.
  
  
  METHODS
  An 84-year-old Hispanic man presented with complaints of dizziness upon standing, and with no prior history of heart murmurs, syncope, shortness of breath, or chest pain. Physical examination revealed evidence of orthostatic hypotension and a soft grade 1/6 systolic murmur at the left sternal border. A transthoracic echocardiogram revealed a large atrial myxoma occupying the majority of the left atrium, with the posterior border of the large atrial mass defined by eccentric mitral regurgitation identified during cardiac catheterization. Left atrial myxoma excision was performed, revealing a 7 x 6.5 x 4.5 cm atrial tumor attached to a 4 x 3 x 2 cm stalk of atrial septal tissue.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This patient didn't present with the common symptoms associated with an atrial myxoma, which may include chest pain, dyspnea, orthopnea, peripheral embolism or syncope. Two-dimensional echocardiography provides substantial advantages in detecting intracardiac tumors. We recommend a two-dimensional echocardiogram in the workup of orthostatic hypotension of unknown etiology after the common causes such as autonomic disorders, dehydration, and vasodilative dysfunctions have been ruled out. By illustrating this correlation between orthostasis and an atrial myxoma, we hope to facilitate earlier identification of these intracardiac growths.
authors.affiliation: Mima Century Research, E. Sheridan Rd, Melbourne, FL 32901, USA.
authors.forename: Ralph M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Vicari
authors.forename: Enrique
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Polanco
authors.forename: Norberto
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Schechtmann
authors.forename: José O
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Santiago
authors.forename: Kautilya
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Shaurya
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Halstead
authors.forename: Danielle
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Marszal
authors.forename: Tamsin
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Grosskreutz
authors.forename: Shalini
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Thareja