Role of intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography in detecting masked mitral regurgitation during left atrial myxoma surgery.

Myxomas are the most common type of cardiac tumor. Mobile or large left atrial (LA) myxomas frequently cause functional mitral stenosis, and can lead to mitral regurgitation (MR). Difficulties have been associated with detecting masked MR jets and evaluating the severity of MR during LA myxoma surgery due to the presence of a prolapsing tumor and changes in blood flow. We herein presented a case of LA myxoma with significant MR diagnosed on intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) prior to cardiopulmonary bypass. Repeated careful observations on TEE led to a confident diagnosis of MR and the selection of an additional appropriate procedure. This case study highlighted the importance of intraoperative TEE in supporting clinical decision-making for optimal mitral valve procedures during LA myxoma surgery.