Unusual location in the left ventricular outflow tract and atypical symptoms of cardiac papillary fibroelastoma

J Cardiovasc Med (Hagerstown). 2006 Oct;7(10):768-70. doi: 10.2459/01.JCM.0000247325.03278.39.

Abstract

Cardiac papillary fibroelastoma, though potentially fatal, are rare benign tumours. Therefore, high index of suspicion is needed in order to identify these lesions and to limit complications at surgery or during long-term oral anticoagulation if the patient is not a surgical candidate. We present a case report of unusual location and presentation, highlighting the pathological findings. A 55-year-old white male, without risk factors for ischaemic cardiomyopathy, presented several episodes of chest pain. Nine years previously, the patient had had a convulsive attack without any organic neurological finding and was treated with different anticonvulsive drugs for five years. Echocardiography showed a mobile mass in the left ventricular outflow tract. The patient underwent surgical excision of the mass, which was later identified as cardiac papillary fibroelastoma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biopsy, Needle
  • Cardiac Surgical Procedures / methods
  • Chest Pain / diagnosis
  • Chest Pain / etiology
  • Echocardiography, Transesophageal
  • Fibroma / diagnostic imaging
  • Fibroma / pathology*
  • Fibroma / surgery*
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Heart Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Heart Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Heart Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Heart Ventricles / diagnostic imaging*
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Risk Assessment
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Ventricular Outflow Obstruction / diagnostic imaging
  • Ventricular Outflow Obstruction / surgery