RIGHT ATRIAL MASSES – A SERIES OF THREE CASES

Cardiac masses are rare, and they pose an interesting diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. The differentials vary from tumours – both primary and secondary, thrombus, infective vegetations, artifacts to cysts. They can present with obstructive symptoms, embolisation, constitutional symptoms or pericardial effusions. Multimodality imaging with echocardiogram, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) help in diagnosis. Complete surgical resection is often the modality of choice in cases of tumours. Thrombolysis or surgical extraction is suitable in cases of thrombus in the right heart.

Incidence, predictors, clinical profile, management and outcome of patients with isolated left main coronary artery ostial disease

Objectives Isolated left main coronary artery (LMCA) ostial disease is a rare variant of LMCA disease. Earlier studies on this disease are limited by small number of patients enrolled. The aim of the present study was to analyze the incidence, risk factors, clinical profile and long term outcome of patients with isolated LMCA ostial disease. Methods 15,553 patients who underwent coronary angiogram in a single tertiary care cardiac hospital were analyzed for LMCA disease. 351(2.2%) patients were found to have significant LMCA disease out of which 28(0.18%) had isolated LMCA ostial disease. These 28 patients were compared with 323 non-ostial and non-isolated LMCA disease patients. Results The mean age of isolated LMCA ostial disease group was significantly less than the other group (p=0.009). Females were more affected than males (p=0.008). They also had low incidence of coronary risk factors (especially dyslipidemia, p=0.04). They tend to present more with stable angina and less with myocardial infarction. They had higher ejection fraction and normal regional wall motion (p=0.04). There was no mortality difference between two groups at the end of 1 year (p=0.234). Conclusion In one of the largest studies done in these patients, we found that isolated LMCA ostial disease is more common in middle aged females with few coronary risk factors. These patients also had a better ejection fraction and normal regional wall motion compared to patients with non-ostial and non-isolated LMCA disease. The clinical and angiographic profile of these patients suggests that they may represent a distinct clinical entity.