Mobilization of the anterior mitral leaflet for excision of a left ventricular myxoma

Left ventricular myxomas are extremely rare. We report use of a left atrial approach with mobilization of the anterior mitral valve leaflet to enhance exposure of the subvalvar region and facilitate excision of a left ventricular myxoma entangled within the chordal apparatus, lying between the anterolateral papillary muscle and the left ventricular wall. The detached mitral leaflet was reattached to the annulus with a continuous suture. The tumor was completely excised, thus avoiding a separate transventricular or transaortic approach.