Embolism from a left ventricular myxoma presenting with acute limb ischaemia

Abstract

Acute limb ischaemia (ALI) secondary to cardiac myxoma is uncommon. Embolic myxoma should be considered a differential diagnosis in young patients with ALI who do not have apparent cardiovascular risk factors. A multidisciplinary approach and comprehensive care can improve outcomes and optimise the collaborative treatment of ALI. Early referral to a hospital that can provide specialised treatment for ALI helps prevent significant tissue loss and surgical complications, such as amputation.A man in his 20s presented with bilateral ALI of both lower extremities, and an arterial duplex scan revealed a thrombus occluding all arterial segments of the bilateral lower extremities. An intracardiac mass adherent to the apical and anterior interventricular septum on two-dimensional echocardiography suggested a complex myxoma. The patient was diagnosed with ALI Rutherford category III, and bilateral hip disarticulation was performed. The patient was discharged with an anticoagulant.