Between 1977 and 1987, 8 patients underwent excision of cardiac myxomas at the Hanyang University Hospital. All had a left atrial myxoma. There were 4 female and 4 male patients ranging from 15 to 62 years of age. Preoperative findings consist of symptoms and signs of congestive heart failure except one. Diagnosis was confirmed by echocardiography[8 cases] and angiography[2 cases], preoperatively. A biatrial operative approach was utilized in all but 2, who were small sized. Complete excision of the tumor with a cuff of normal tissue[1 was atrial wall and 7 were atrial septum] was performed. all heart chambers were carefully explored for presence of multicentric myxomas or tumor debris. There were no operative deaths or intraoperative embolization. Follow-up has been 1/3 to 10 years. There has been 1 late death, due to recurrence and 1 patient had reoperation for mitral regurgitation due to dilatation of the annulus by a huge tumor mass. Surgical excision of the myxoma can be performed with low morbidity, and it provides excellent and sustained symptomatic relief. The recurrence rate is low, but long-term follow-up and serial echocardiography are advisable.