Large myxoma causing cardiac arrest during surgery

The patient was a 67-year-old woman with a history of worsening dyspnea over several months. Cardiac echocardiography showed a large, mobile left atrial myxoma. Emergency surgery was performed. Cardiac arrest occurred during repositioning of the heart to cannulate the inferior vena cava and transesophageal echocardiography revealed the large myxoma obstructing the left ventricle. Cardiopulmonary bypass was initiated and spontaneous heartbeat returned shortly afterward. Changing myxoma position and sudden mitral orifice obstruction must be considered in these cases and once the diagnosis is made, patients should be operated on as early as possible.