Case reports

Atrial myxoma-related embolism resulting in acute limb ischaemia in a critical care patient

Martin Knight, Robert Deon Wise

Abstract


This report presents an unusual case of limb ischaemia in the critical care setting, the cause of which was elucidated on echocardio­graphy. Evaluation of the case highlights the importance of appropriate and timely investigation, in particular the role of bedside echocardiography. Although atrial myxomas are uncommon, a thorough investigation of patients presenting with acute peripheral ischaemic events should be undertaken to facilitate the diagnosis of this treatable condition.



Authors' affiliations

Martin Knight, Department of Anaesthetics, Critical Care, and Pain Management, Edendale Hospital, Pietermaritzburg

Robert Deon Wise, Department of Anaesthetics, Critical Care, and Pain Management, Edendale Hospital, Pietermaritzburg; and Perioperative Research Group, Discipline of Anaesthesiology and Critical Care, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban

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Keywords

Atrial myxoma-related embolism; acute limb ischaemia

Cite this article

Southern African Journal of Critical Care 2015;31(2):62-63. DOI:10.7196/SAJCC.2015.v31i2.233

Article History

Date submitted: 2015-04-13
Date published: 2015-11-04

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