What are heart myxomas?
The heart is a complex organ that makes a simple but so important function: it is the blood pump of our body. Like all organs, the heart can be affected by heart tumors. These tumors are actually cells that multiply at a very fast pace.
Heart tumors are extremely rare with a risk of 0.02%. Like all tumors are divided into benign and malignant. Benign heart tumors cause, as they increase in size, pressing, obstructive or even embolis phenomena that are probably dangerous. But they do not give metastases. Malignant tumors on the other hand also give metastases to other organs but are fortunately extremely rare in the heart. The most common benign heart tumors are myxomas, lipomas, fiblastomas and rhabdomyomas. The most common malignant tumors are rhabdomyosarcomas, vasoconstrictors, etc. There are also benign pericardial cysts that occur in the pericardial sac.
What symptoms do they cause and how is it diagnosed?
Heart myxomas in their initial phase do not cause any symptoms but are in random cardiology with a Triplex. Gradually, as they grow in size, embolism phenomena such as stroke is likely to be crushed and manifested. In cases of large myxomas, syncope episodes may occur as these tumors may prevent the smooth flow of blood in the heart cavities and heart valves.
So it is obvious that it is advisable to carry out preventive cardiological examination at regular intervals to identify any fungus. Finally, there is a family association between patients with a fungus. Relatives of patients who have a myxoma have an increased chance of developing themselves.
In addition to the heart ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging is also required to confirm the diagnosis of myxoma. Myxomas require relatively immediate surgical removal.
How is the removal of heart myxomas?
During myxomas removal surgery, the tumor is removed by means of IVF machine. It is important to remove the tumor radically and send biopsies for identification. This procedure is most commonly performed by the team of our clinic endoscopically, without sternotomy. Especially for myxomas, the risk of recurrence is very low and the procedure therapeutic.
What are the advantages of endoscopic and robotic myxomas?
Almost all fungus or endocardial tumors removal interventions are performed by our group endoscopically without sternum but with a small incision of a few centimeters in the right oblique thoracic wall and use of camera and special tools or the use of robotic system. The advantages of endoscopic removal of myxomas or endocardial tumors are:
- Minimally invasive and minimally traumatic method.
- Minimum blood loss.
- Almost zero risk of trauma infection.
- Lower risk of postoperative arrhythmias (eg vaginal fibrillation).
- Less post -operative pain.
- Faster mobilization.
- Shorter duration of hospitalization.
- Faster recovery and return to everyday life.
- Excellent cosmetic effect.
- Great precision of movement and handling.
- Great security equivalent to open interventions.
- Excellent long -term results.
Endoscopic fungus or endoscopic tumor removal procedures are always done with guidance and monitoring by anesthetic heart ultrasound before, during and after surgery, so as to achieve the best possible result.
These operations are admitted to the hospital on the eve of the operation. Postoperatively the patient remains in the Intensive Care Unit for follow -up on the night of the surgery and is discharged in three or four days after surgery.
OR Our clinic It is one of the few in Greece who have a wide range of patients and experience in these incidents. Thus, there is the necessary specialization, experience and equipment for the best and safer result.
Writes Apostolos Roumbelakis, Cardiac Surgeon, Robotics Specialist & Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery, Director Cardiac Surgery Clinic, Athens Medical Center
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