Acute Abdominal Aortic Occlusion (AAAO) due to Embolism from a Left Atrial Myxoma
Acute Abdominal Aortic Occlusion (AAAO) due to Embolism from a Left Atrial Myxoma 1. Cause and Etiology Left atrial myxoma is the most common primary cardiac tumor, typically benign and arising from the interatrial septum near the fossa ovalis. While they can cause symptoms via intracardiac obstruction or constitutional effects, a significant complication is embolization . Etiology of AAAO in this context: Embolic obstruction of the abdominal aorta due to a tumor fragment or thrombus originating from the surface of a left atrial myxoma. Emboli from myxomas are friable and gelatinous, and they are more likely to lodge in large or medium-sized arteries like the abdominal aorta or its major branches. 2. Pathophysiology Tumor embolization occurs when fragments of the myxoma or superimposed thrombi dislodge and enter the systemic circulation. In AAAO: The embolus travels down the aorta and lodges at or below t...