https://doi.org/10.4081/ecj.2023.11717

What does a floating mass in a young patient's heart do?

Vol. 20 No. 1 (2024)
Submitted: 3 September 2023
Accepted: 19 October 2023
Published: 31 October 2023
Atrial myxoma, cardiac myxoma, cardiac tumor, echocardiography, chest pain
Abstract Views: 965
PDF: 340
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Authors

Tommaso Sonnessa
sonnessa.tommaso@hsr.it
Vita-Salute San Raffaele University and Emergency Department, San Raffaele IRCCS Hospital, Milan, Italy.
Daniela Vaira
https://orcid.org/0009-0006-0269-1732
Vita-Salute San Raffaele University and Emergency Department, San Raffaele IRCCS Hospital, Milan, Italy.

A previously healthy 57-year-old male patient presented to our emergency department for palpitations, dry cough, and non-exertional chest pain. He denied lipothymia or syncope. Blood pressure was 160/90 mmHg, heart rate 76 beats/min, body temperature 36.4°C, respiratory rate was 14 breaths/min, and oxygen saturation 96% on room air. Physical examination revealed symmetrical air entry without wheezing or crackles, and a classical diastolic "tumor plop", not accompanied by another significant murmur at cardiac auscultation. Laboratory tests were all in the normal range, including troponin T (9.1 ng/mL, normal value <14) and C-reactive protein (2.2 mg/dL, normal value <6). An electrocardiogram showed a sinus rhythm and normal ventricular repolarization. Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) revealed a floating mass within the left atrium and a normal lung pattern without pleural effusion.

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How to Cite

Sonnessa, T., & Vaira, D. (2023). What does a floating mass in a young patient’s heart do?. Emergency Care Journal, 20(1). https://doi.org/10.4081/ecj.2023.11717
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