Total Occlusion of the Infrarenal Aorta by Cardiac Myxoma: Emergent Surgical Management

Cardiac myxomas are the most common primary tumors of the heart and can cause systemic embolization, particularly when located in the left atrium. We present a rare case of a left atrial myxoma resulting in total occlusion of the infrarenal abdominal aorta. A 60-year-old man was admitted to the hospital with back pain, paresthesia in the lower extremities, and subsequent development of paraplegia. Computed tomography revealed total occlusion of the infrarenal aorta. Emergent surgery was performed, and the intraoperative specimen removed from the aorta was histologically identified as myxomatous material. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed a mass located in the left atrium. Despite a second surgery for the removal of the cardiac mass, embolic episodes caused by the myxoma could not be prevented. Prompt diagnosis and timely treatment are essential to improve clinical outcomes by preventing embolization-related complications.

Keywords: Abdominal aorta occlusion, atrial myxoma, cardiac mass, thromboembolism