Autoimmune disease and left atrium tumor – outcome and possible connection

    Authors

    Abstract

    **Introduction**: According to the literature (1-3), systemic autoimmune diseases are associated with an increased risk of developing malignant diseases. This risk arises from the immune effects of autoimmune combined with drug treatment for autoimmune disease. **Case report**: This case shows a 51-year-old female patient who presented with dyspnea and exercise intolerance in last two weeks, with medical history of long-term treated hypertension and autoimmune diseases: thyreopathy and overlap syndrome. During cardiological assessment transthoracic echocardiography showed large tumor formation that filled left atrium and protruded to the left ventricle in diastole, which was confirmed by transesophageal echocardiography and thoracic CT. After complete cardiological treatment, the patient was successfully operated at the Department of Cardiac Surgery. PHD report confirmed diagnosis of myxoma. It was the most important since the most common intracardiac formations are primary (benign or malignant) tumors, metastatic tumors, thrombus or vegetation. Although there is no clear connection between autoimmune diseases and benign tumors, it is interesting to see significant reduction of immune markers in laboratory labs (especially CCP) following surgery.

    Keywords

    cardiac tumors, echocardiography, autoimmune disease

    DOI

    https://doi.org/10.15836/ccar2018.399

    Literature

    1. Auger D, Pressacco J, Marcotte F, Tremblay A, Dore A, Ducharme A. Cardiac masses: an integrative approach using echocardiography other imaging modalities. Heart. 2011 Jul;97(13):1101–9. https://doi.org/10.1136/hrt.2010.196006
    2. Vincelj J, Sutlic Z, Biocina B, Nikić N, Lajtman Z. Diagnostic accuracy of transesophageal echocardiography for detection of atrial masses. Acta Med Croatica. 2001;55(1):47–51. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11428284/
    3. Balkwill F, Mantovani A. Inflammation and cancer: back to Wirchow? Lancet. 2001 Feb 17;357(9255):539–45. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(00)04046-0
    Cardiologia Croatica
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    Autoimmune disease and left atrium tumor – outcome and possible connection

    Extended Abstract
    Issue11-12
    Published
    Pages399
    PDF via DOIhttps://doi.org/10.15836/ccar2018.399
    cardiac tumors
    echocardiography
    autoimmune disease

    Authors

    Vedrana Baraban*ORCIDKlinički bolnički centar Osijek, Osijek, Hrvatska
    Kristina Kovačević StranskiORCIDKlinički bolnički centar Osijek, Osijek, Hrvatska
    Grgur DulićORCIDKlinički bolnički centar Osijek, Osijek, Hrvatska
    Igor LekšanORCIDKlinički bolnički centar Osijek, Osijek, Hrvatska
    Livija SušićORCIDSveučilište Josipa Jurja Strossmayera u Osijeku, Medicinski fakultet Osijek, Osijek Hrvatska

    *Correspondence email: vbaraban@gmail.com

    Abstract

    **Introduction**: According to the literature (1-3), systemic autoimmune diseases are associated with an increased risk of developing malignant diseases. This risk arises from the immune effects of autoimmune combined with drug treatment for autoimmune disease. **Case report**: This case shows a 51-year-old female patient who presented with dyspnea and exercise intolerance in last two weeks, with medical history of long-term treated hypertension and autoimmune diseases: thyreopathy and overlap syndrome. During cardiological assessment transthoracic echocardiography showed large tumor formation that filled left atrium and protruded to the left ventricle in diastole, which was confirmed by transesophageal echocardiography and thoracic CT. After complete cardiological treatment, the patient was successfully operated at the Department of Cardiac Surgery. PHD report confirmed diagnosis of myxoma. It was the most important since the most common intracardiac formations are primary (benign or malignant) tumors, metastatic tumors, thrombus or vegetation. Although there is no clear connection between autoimmune diseases and benign tumors, it is interesting to see significant reduction of immune markers in laboratory labs (especially CCP) following surgery.

    Literature

    1. 1.
      Auger D, Pressacco J, Marcotte F, Tremblay A, Dore A, Ducharme A. Cardiac masses: an integrative approach using echocardiography other imaging modalities. Heart. 2011 Jul;97(13):1101–9.DOI
    2. 2.
      Vincelj J, Sutlic Z, Biocina B, Nikić N, Lajtman Z. Diagnostic accuracy of transesophageal echocardiography for detection of atrial masses. Acta Med Croatica. 2001;55(1):47–51.PubMed
    3. 3.
      Balkwill F, Mantovani A. Inflammation and cancer: back to Wirchow? Lancet. 2001 Feb 17;357(9255):539–45.DOI