What are the auscultation findings of a Left Atrial (LA) Myxoma?

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Last updated: February 18, 2025View editorial policy

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From the Guidelines

A left atrial (LA) myxoma typically presents with a low-pitched, rumbling diastolic murmur, often referred to as a "tumor plop," which is usually heard at the apex 1.

Key Auscultation Findings

  • A mid-diastolic murmur may be present, similar to that heard in mitral stenosis, as the tumor obstructs blood flow through the mitral valve 1
  • The murmur can be either middiastolic or presystolic, similar to tricuspid or mitral stenosis (MS) 1

Variability in Murmur Characteristics

  • The intensity and timing of these murmurs can vary depending on the size and mobility of the myxoma, as well as the patient's cardiac output and rhythm
  • The murmur may be affected by respiration, with left-sided murmurs usually being louder during expiration 1
  • Positional changes, such as standing or squatting, may also impact the intensity of the murmur 1

From the Research

Auscultation Findings of a Left Atrial (LA) Myxoma

There are no research papers provided that directly discuss the auscultation findings of a Left Atrial (LA) Myxoma.

Related Auscultation Findings

However, the provided studies discuss various auscultation findings related to heart conditions:

  • Diastolic murmurs in non-obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy 2
  • Diastolic sounds and murmurs associated with mitral valve prolapse 3
  • The etiology of the Austin Flint murmur 4
  • Systolic murmurs radiating from the apex of the heart to the neck 5
  • Improving competency in auscultation among nursing students 6

Key Points

  • The studies provided do not directly address the auscultation findings of a Left Atrial (LA) Myxoma
  • Auscultation findings can vary depending on the specific heart condition
  • Diastolic murmurs, sounds, and systolic murmurs are discussed in the context of different heart conditions
  • Improving auscultation skills is important for early detection and recognition of deteriorating patients 6

References

Guideline

Guideline Directed Topic Overview

Dr.Oracle Medical Advisory Board & Editors, 2025

Research

Etiology of the Austin Flint murmur.

Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 1992

Research

[Various etiologies of systolic murmurs radiating from the apex of the heart to the neck].

La semaine des hopitaux : organe fonde par l'Association d'enseignement medical des hopitaux de Paris, 1975

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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