Resection of right atrial lymphoma in a patient with AIDS.

Although cardiac problems are common in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, there is limited experience with heart surgery in this group of patients. We report a case in which a right atrial lymphoma was resected to alleviate tricuspid valve obstruction in a patient with AIDS. The patient did well for approximately 7 months. At that time, he developed multiple complications of AIDS and deteriorated rapidly; he died 8 months after operation. Cardiac surgery can be successfully performed in AIDS patients. However, the late outcome is compromised by the nature of the underlying viral infection.