RESUMO
BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to correlate cardiac tumors with implantation site, embolic potential and long-term evolution in patients undergoing surgery. METHODS: From 1981 to 2004, 78 patients underwent surgery for cardiac tumors. 64 % were female, with a mean age of 44 years. 14 % had embolic episodes (91 % CVA). The sizes of the tumors ranged from 0.4 cm to 10 cm. The most frequent tumors were myxomas (70 %), papillary fibroelastomas and fibromas. The preferential location was the left atrium (72 %). Data were analyzed using chi (2) and Student's T-tests, and the Kaplan-Meyer method and curves were compared with the log-rank test. RESULTS: Hospital mortality was 6 % and 8.2 % in the follow-up period. Myxoma was predominantly found in the left atrium ( P < 0.0001; OR = 12.8 and 4 - 41 95 % CI). Left atrial tumors showed less mortality ( P = 0.1; OR = 3 and 0.7 - 11.6 95 % CI), with a lower mortality for myxomas ( P < 0.001), fewer recurrences ( P = 0.03; OR = 8.7 and 0.8 - 89 95 % CI), and a greater embolic potential than in other locations ( P = 0.03 % OR = 0.7 and 0.6 - 0.8 95 % CI). CONCLUSION: Left atrial tumors showed greater embolic potential, fewer recurrences and less mortality.