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Myxomas are rare cardiac neoplasms and may present as single or multiple tumors. Only a few cases of single biatrial myxomas have been reported. We report a very rare case of this condition in a middle-aged woman, presenting with exertional dyspnea and cough. The patient had a resting tachycardia of 105 beats per minute, and cardiac auscultation discovered a mid-diastolic murmur across the mitral valve, followed by a tumor plop focused on the apex and elevated levels of C-reactive protein (1+) and creatine phosphokinase in lab data. The diagnosis was made via transesophageal and transthoracic echocardiographic examinations, showing the tumor extension through a patent foramen ovale (PFO). The operation was undertaken, the myxoma was excised, and the PFO was repaired. She was discharged with no further complications. Although myxomas are rare, considering this condition before surgery is significant. The involvement of both atria via a PFO is possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Myxomas are rare cardiac neoplasms and may present as single or multiple tumors. Only a few cases of single biatrial myxomas have been reported. We report a very rare case of this condition in a middle-aged woman, presenting with exertional dyspnea and cough. The patient had a resting tachycardia of 105 beats per minute, and cardiac auscultation discovered a mid-diastolic murmur across the mitral valve, followed by a tumor plop focused on the apex and elevated levels of C-reactive protein (1+) and creatine phosphokinase in lab data. The diagnosis was made via transesophageal and transthoracic echocardiographic examinations, showing the tumor extension through a patent foramen ovale (PFO). The operation was undertaken, the myxoma was excised, and the PFO was repaired. She was discharged with no further complications. Although myxomas are rare, considering this condition before surgery is significant. The involvement of both atria via a PFO is possible.

Background: The superior type of sinus venosus atrial septal defect (SVASD) is a rare form of the atrial septal defect (ASD) in which the upper part of the atrial septum does not exist. The presence of other cardiac anomalies such as anomalous pulmonary venous connections has been reported in this type of congenital heart disease. This study aimed to assess the presence of the patent foramen ovale (PFO) in patients with the superior type of SVASD. Methods: This retrospective case-control study on 387 patients, consisting of 187 patients with a definite SVASD and 200 patients with problems other than the ASD, was conducted in Rajaie Cardiovascular Medical and Research Center between February 2005 and July 2014. Seven patients with inadequate data were excluded from the analysis. The presence/absence of the PFO was also evaluated in the case and control groups. Results: The analyses were performed on 182 male and 198 female patients at a mean age of 39.07±14.41 and 51.01±15.80 years in the case and control groups, respectively. The PFO was significantly more frequent in the patients with the superior type of SVASD than in those without the condition (P

Background: The superior type of sinus venosus atrial septal defect (SVASD) is a rare form of the atrial septal defect (ASD) in which the upper part of the atrial septum does not exist. The presence of other cardiac anomalies such as anomalous pulmonary venous connections has been reported in this type of congenital heart disease. This study aimed to assess the presence of the patent foramen ovale (PFO) in patients with the superior type of SVASD. Methods: This retrospective case-control study on 387 patients, consisting of 187 patients with a definite SVASD and 200 patients with problems other than the ASD, was conducted in Rajaie Cardiovascular Medical and Research Center between February 2005 and July 2014. Seven patients with inadequate data were excluded from the analysis. The presence/absence of the PFO was also evaluated in the case and control groups. Results: The analyses were performed on 182 male and 198 female patients at a mean age of 39.07±14.41 and 51.01±15.80 years in the case and control groups, respectively. The PFO was significantly more frequent in the patients with the superior type of SVASD than in those without the condition (P<0.001). The persistence of the left superior vena cava was seen in 34 out of 180 patients with SVASD and in 1 out of 200 patients without the condition (18.9% vs 0.5%; P<0.001). Conclusion: This study was the first to highlight the coexistence of the PFO and the superior type of SVASD. Physiological, genetic, or fetal factors may play an important role in the association between the PFO and the SVASD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Stroke, one of the most important causes of morbidity and mortality in the world, is of great importance in young adults (15-45 years), amongst whom the causes of stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA) are different from those in older ages and a significant portion of them have no known etiology. Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is considered a probable cause in this group. Methods: Patients between 15 and 45 years of age with TIA or stroke were examined and evaluated for causes of cerebrovascular accidents. Patients with no definite cause for stroke or TIA, except for PFO, despite our extensive evaluations were categorized as cryptogenic. The controls were comprised of those between 15 and 45 years old who underwent transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) for reasons other than stroke. The frequency of PFO and its characteristics were compared between the two groups. Results: The case group comprised 48 patients with cryptogenic stroke (n=31) and TIA (n=17), and the control group consisted of 57 patients. The age distribution of the groups was normal, and there was no significant difference between the age and gender of the two groups. The frequency of PFO in the case and control groups was 52% and 25%, respectively (p value=0.003, odds ratio=3.33, confidence interval=1.46-7.63). The exaggerated motion of the interatrial septum (IAS) in the case and control groups was 18.8% and 0%, respectively. Right-to-left shunt at rest in the case and control groups was 78% and 28%, respectively (significant differences). The differences in terms of PFO size, number of bubbles, and atrial septal aneurysm were not significant between the two groups. Conclusion: PFO had a relation with stroke and TIA in the young adults, and right-to-left shunt at rest and exaggerated motion of the IAS could increase the possibility of paradoxical emboli. It seems that the presence of atrial septal aneurysm, number of bubbles, and PFO size did not increase the risk of cerebrovascular accidents.

Background: Stroke, one of the most important causes of morbidity and mortality in the world, is of great importance in young adults (15-45 years), amongst whom the causes of stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA) are different from those in older ages and a significant portion of them have no known etiology. Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is considered a probable cause in this group. Methods: Patients between 15 and 45 years of age with TIA or stroke were examined and evaluated for causes of cerebrovascular accidents. Patients with no definite cause for stroke or TIA, except for PFO, despite our extensive evaluations were categorized as cryptogenic. The controls were comprised of those between 15 and 45 years old who underwent transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) for reasons other than stroke. The frequency of PFO and its characteristics were compared between the two groups. Results: The case group comprised 48 patients with cryptogenic stroke (n=31) and TIA (n=17), and the control group consisted of 57 patients. The age distribution of the groups was normal, and there was no significant difference between the age and gender of the two groups. The frequency of PFO in the case and control groups was 52% and 25%, respectively (p value=0.003, odds ratio=3.33, confidence interval=1.46-7.63). The exaggerated motion of the interatrial septum (IAS) in the case and control groups was 18.8% and 0%, respectively. Right-to-left shunt at rest in the case and control groups was 78% and 28%, respectively (significant differences). The differences in terms of PFO size, number of bubbles, and atrial septal aneurysm were not significant between the two groups. Conclusion: PFO had a relation with stroke and TIA in the young adults, and right-to-left shunt at rest and exaggerated motion of the IAS could increase the possibility of paradoxical emboli. It seems that the presence of atrial septal aneurysm, number of bubbles, and PFO size did not increase the risk of cerebrovascular accidents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]