Recurrent left atrial myxoma.

Based on statistics from the UK, the incidence of myxoma is about 1:1,000,000/year. Three recent cases of recurrent myxoma are reported, one where excision was probably incomplete, one where tumour implantation may have occurred and one where a mesenchymal sarcoma was misinterpreted histologically. The relative importance of these three factors in recurrence of cardiac tumours after surgical excision is discussed.

Secundum atrial septal defect repair: long-term surgical outcome and the problem of late mitral regurgitation.

This study examines the clinical and surgical outcome of a group of 55 patients (mean age 33 years) with secundum atrial septal defect who underwent surgical repair of this defect between 1981 and 1990. A group of 25 of these patients underwent late echocardiographic follow-up. Fifty-two patients underwent repair by direct suturing and three by patch closure.

Propionibacterium acnes causing an aortic root abscess.

A case of endocarditis caused by Propionibacterium acnes associated with an aortic root abscess is presented. This supports the current opinion that aortic root abscesses are not necessarily associated with microorganisms of high virulence.