[Nonpharmacologic treatment for heart arrhythmia].

Between 1990-1993 6 patients (4 females and 2 males) underwent the excision of the left atrial myxoma at The II Dept. of Cardiothoracic Surgery in Katowice. With the age range varying from 23 to 59 years. 3 patients presented symptoms of congestive heart failure with exertional dyspnoea, atrial fibrillation and syncope. 3 patients showed cerebral embolism. Every time the diagnosis was confirmed by the 2 D echocardiography. 4 patients were submitted the operation on the urgent basis because of occurring life threatening symptoms. All the patients were operated under cardiopulmonary bypass by the left atrial access, or in one case by the left and right atrial access simultaneously. The myxomas were removed and additionally the underlying endocardium or the full thickness of the interatrial septum, were excised. The surgical excision of the myxoma is the only acceptable therapy to cure. Without surgical treatment long term prognosis is fatal.