Atrial Myxoma in a Patient With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): Unmasking Overlapping Symptomatology

TL;DR

This case report shows how a heart tumor was mistaken for COPD due to similar symptoms, emphasizing the need for thorough diagnosis.

Contribution

The paper highlights the importance of considering atrial myxoma as a differential diagnosis in patients with dyspnea on exertion.

Findings

Atrial myxoma can present with symptoms similar to COPD, leading to misdiagnosis.

Early use of echocardiography is crucial for identifying atrial myxoma in patients with unexplained dyspnea.

Comprehensive diagnostic approaches improve accurate diagnosis and patient management.

Abstract

Atrial myxoma, though the most common primary cardiac tumor, often presents with nonspecific symptoms that can obscure its diagnosis. This case report details an unusual presentation of dyspnea on exertion (DOE) in a patient initially considered to have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a common pulmonary etiology of DOE. The diagnostic journey underscores the critical importance of considering atrial myxoma in patients with DOE, especially when symptoms are not fully explained by apparent pulmonary conditions. Our findings highlight the necessity of a comprehensive diagnostic approach, including the early use of resting transthoracic echocardiogram, to unveil less common causes like atrial myxoma. This case reinforces the pivotal role of considering alternative diagnoses in complex presentations of DOE, thereby guiding more accurate and tailored patient management.

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