Echocardiographic, angiocardiographic, and surgical correlations in right ventricular myxoma simulating valvar pulmonic stenosis.

Abstract

The echocardiographic, angiographic and surgical correlations in a patients with a right ventricular myxoma simulating valvar pulmonic stenosis are presented. A dense mass of echoes was seen in the body of the right ventricle in diastole; in the right ventricular outflow tract throughout the cardiac cycle; and within the pulmonic valve in systole. These echocardiographic findings suggested the presence of a mass high in the right ventricle, which moved throught the pulmonic valve in systole. This impression was confirmed by angiography and surgery. A 53 mmHg gradient across the pulmonic valve was noted at cardiac catheterization. At operation a myxoma which originated above the crista supraventricularis was found. The tumor moved into the main pulmonary artery in systole. Surgical removal of the tumor resulted in the disappearance of the abnormal echoes.