Approximately 70% of cardiac tumors are benign, and 30% are malignant. Almost half of the benign heart tumors are myxomas. Clinical findings are embolism, intracardiac obstruction and constitutional symptoms. Embolism occurs in three quarters of the patients. In most of the cases the cerebral arteries are effected. Seven patients of cardiac myxomas were admitted to the hospital with the symptoms of stroke in the last six years.

Seven patients were admitted to the hospital with the symptoms and signs of acute focal brain disfunction between 1991 and 1997. Ischemic cerebrovascular events were diagnosed by clinical and neuroradiological properties. The four techniques used to make a definitive etiological diagnosis were transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE), cardiac angiography and cardiac Magnetic Resonance (MR). Operation was performed as soon as possible with used cardiopulmonary bypass. Excision of the myxomas were performed. Histopathologic examination of the excised materials confirmed the diagnosis of myxoma. All patients have been followed at least 9 months with the longest period being 7 years (mean 3.5 years). No recurrence was seen during follow up.

In our patients of cardiac myxomas, neurologic symptoms occured both as transient ischemic attack and strokes due to cardiac embolism. Although atrial myxomas are frequent primary benign cardiac tumors, they may cause strokes. In the presence of unexplained. Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA), cerebral infarction of syncope, this relatively rare cardiac lesion should be suspected and a carefully performed transthoracic echocardiography has to be added to the investigations in selected patients.