BACKGROUND: @entity299 are the most frequently encountered @entity5 , that, if left untreated, are inexorably progressive and potentially fatal. @entity1 with @entity299 can be treated only by surgical removal. This study summarizes our experience over 22 years with these @entity5 . METHODS: Fifty seven @entity1 (M/F: 14/43, age: 57.9 +/- 14.6 years) with @entity299 underwent surgical resection at our institution. There were 82.4% left @entity4615 , 14.0% right @entity4615 , 3.6% @entity3291 . The duration of symptoms prior to surgery ranged from 6 to 1,373 days (median 96 days). The surgical approach comprised complete wide excision. The diagnostic methods, incidence of @entity1031 , @entity528 , surgical repair techniques, recurrence and re-operation were reviewed and the Kaplan-Meier survival curve was calculated. RESULTS: There were no in-hospital deaths. Hospital stay amounted to a mean of 13.7 +/- 6.9 days. Late follow-up was available for 54 (94.7%) @entity1 for a median 7.5 years after surgery (23 days to 21.4 years). Fifty two @entity1 are alive, while five @entity1 had died after a mean interval of 6.3 years. Cause of @entity204 was cardiac in 40% of the @entity1 (n = 2) and non-cardiac in the other 60% (n = 3). CONCLUSIONS: Surgical excision of @entity299 carries a low operative risk and gives excellent short-term and long-term results. Surgical excision of the @entity5 appears to be curative, with few recurrences at long-term follow-up. After diagnosis, surgery should be performed urgently, in order to prevent complications such as @entity887 or obstruction of the mitral orifice. Follow-up examination, including echocardiography, should be performed regularly.

XXXX : short- and long-term follow-up.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['Patients', 'patients'] @entity5 :: ('MESH:D009369', 'Disease') :: ['tumor', 'tumors', 'benign intracardiac tumors'] @entity3291 :: ('MESH:D009232', 'Disease') :: ['biatrial myxomas'] @entity4615 :: ('MESH:C538262', 'Disease') :: ['atrial myxomas'] @entity887 :: ('MESH:D004617', 'Disease') :: ['embolic events'] @entity1031 :: ('MESH:D013923', 'Disease') :: ['thromboembolic complications'] @entity299 :: ('MESH:D006331', 'Disease') :: ['cardiac myxoma', 'cardiac myxomas', 'Cardiac myxomas'] @entity204 :: ('MESH:D003643', 'Disease') :: ['death'] @entity528 :: ('MESH:D009410', 'Disease') :: ['valve degeneration']
@entity299 :: (MESH:D006331,Disease) :: ['Cardiac myxomas']
