A Rare Case of Stroke in a 76-Year-Old Woman: Left Atrial Papillary Fibroelastoma as the Culprit.

BACKGROUND Papillary fibroelastoma is the most common type of benign primary cardiac tumor and is usually asymptomatic. However, tumor fragments or surface thrombus can embolize and cause transient ischemic attacks, strokes, or myocardial infarction. This report describes a 76-year-old woman who presented with dysarthria and right-sided weakness due to a stroke associated with a left atrial papillary fibroelastoma. CASE REPORT A 76-year-old woman visited the Emergency Department because she had right-sided weakness and dysarthria from 12 h ago. Brain magnetic resonance image was done at the Emergency Department, showing multiple small embolic, acute infarction in left basal ganglia and fronto-temporo-parietal lobes. Transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiogram showed a hypermobile echogenic mass (0.8×1.5 cm) with villous surface on the orifice of left atrial appendage. Twenty-four-hour Holter monitoring was performed to evaluate the cause of cerebral infarction, and there was no paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. Thoracic computed tomography angiography also showed a sea anemone-shaped mass around the left atrial appendage. Cardiac tumor excision was done via a lower partial sternotomy. Histopathologic analysis showed multiple delicate fronds, and the avascular fibroelastic cores were lined by a single layer of CD31-positive endothelial cells. Histopathologic findings were consistent with papillary fibroelastoma. The patient was discharged without any other complications on day 30 of hospitalization. CONCLUSIONS This case highlights the importance of cardiac imaging in patients with acute stroke, including transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography, which can show the typical imaging features of papillary fibroelastoma and other intracardiac sources of embolus.

Prenatal diagnosis of cardiac papillary fibroelastoma of the aortic valve: A report of two cases.

In our perinatology service, we observed two cases of cardiac papillary fibroelastoma in fetuses. This case-report focused on assessing the prenatal diagnosis and outcome of these two fetal cases in which cardiac fibroelastoma was initially identified via fetal echocardiography and subsequently confirmed by histopathological analysis.

Aortic valve fibroelastoma presenting with myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA): A case report and review of the literature.

Cardiac papillary fibroelastomas (CPFs) are rare benign cardiac tumors more often involving the left-sided valves and related with threatening embolic complications. We report the case of a 35-year-old woman presenting with relapsing-remitting chest pain and elevated cardiac troponins. After a negative coronary angiography, an integrated imaging assessment based on echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance showed a pedunculated mass on the aortic valve causing an intermittent obstructive engagement of the right coronary ostium. A tailored surgical treatment was performed and the histopathological examination of the specimen revealed mesenchymal tissue with the characteristics of CPF.

Coexistence Case of Papillary Fibroelastoma and Lambl's Excrescence of the Left Heart, Which Is Occasionally Associated with Significant Stroke.

Papillary fibroelastoma (PFE) is a benign tumor that arises mostly from left-sided valves. PFE can cause stroke, and surgical resection may be needed. Lambl's excrescence (LE) is a filiform valvular lesion and is considered a possible cause of stroke. A 79-year-old man with light-headedness and left-sided hemiparesis was diagnosed with stroke. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) revealed a round-shaped mobile mass in the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT), which was considered the cause of the stroke. Surgical resection was performed transaortically, and during surgery, a mass was incidentally detected on the noncoronary cusp (NCC), which was also resected followed by aortic valve replacement. Pathology confirmed that the mass in the LVOT was a PFE and that the filiform mass on the NCC was LE. We herein report a rare case of PFE in the LVOT and coexisting LE on the NCC. A careful examination via TEE helps to identify other possible causes of stroke hidden behind the obvious cause.

[Aortic Valve Papillary Fibroelastoma Stated for Preoperative Twelve Years without Any Symptom: Report of a Case].

We experienced a case of papillary fibroelastoma of aortic valve, which had been located for preoperative 12 years without any symptom. We could assess tumor growth rate of 0.17 mm/year. Because of recent reports of recurrence, close follow-up should be continued.

Papillary fibroelastoma originating from the atrial septum touching the mitral valve leading to infective endocarditis: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac papillary fibroelastoma is a rare benign tumor, which is often mistaken for a vegetation. Predominantly asymptomatic, it can cause life-threatening complications. Although rare, mobile papillary fibroelastoma movement between affected valves may hamper valve closure and damage the valve, leading to valvular regurgitation. Endothelial damage increases the risk of developing infective endocarditis. We report a rare case of a highly mobile papillary fibroelastoma originating from the atrial septum touching the mitral valve, leading to mitral regurgitation and, eventually, infective endocarditis. CASE PRESENTATION: A 26-year-old woman with suspected infective endocarditis was referred to us from a previous hospital after having experienced intermittent fever for a month. Before the fever, she had been experiencing exertional dyspnea. In addition, she had undergone a cesarean section two weeks before this admission. A transthoracic echocardiogram showed a mobile mass originating from the atrial septum touching the mitral valve with severe mitral regurgitation. Computed tomography revealed an occluded right profunda femoris artery with an embolus. Infective endocarditis associated with a mobile vegetation with high embolic risk was diagnosed, and urgent surgery was performed. Following the surgery, examinations revealed papillary fibroelastoma originating from the atrial septum and infective endocarditis of the mitral valve. The histopathological examination confirmed that a mass initially thought to be a mobile vegetation was a papillary fibroelastoma. The postoperative course was uneventful except for pericarditis. There has been no recurrence of infective endocarditis or papillary fibroelastoma. CONCLUSIONS: The highly mobile papillary fibroelastoma was thought to have caused both chronic mitral regurgitation and infective endocarditis. Mobile papillary fibroelastomas can cause endothelial damage to nearby valves and predispose patients to infective endocarditis.

Minimally invasive resection of heart valve papillary fibroelastoma: two case reports and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac papillary fibroelastomas are rare, accounting for approximately 10% of all cardiac tumors, with 44% of cases located on the aortic valve and only 15% of cases located on the tricuspid valve. However, the optimal management of papillary fibroelastomas remains varied. CASE PRESENTATION: We present two successful instances of treating heart valve papillary fibroelastomas through minimally invasive surgery. These cases involved heart valve papillary fibroelastomas located in two common sites: the aortic valve on the left heart, which was accessed via an upper hemi-sternotomy, and the tricuspid valve on the right heart, which was accessed via beating heart total thoracoscopy. CONCLUSION: The article consistently demonstrates the effectiveness of a minimally invasive surgical approach in managing heart valve papillary fibroelastomas. This study provides further evidence by presenting two cases of heart valve papillary fibroelastomas - one on the aortic valve and the other on the tricuspid valve - that were successfully treated using this approach, resulting in favorable outcomes.

Concomitant minimally invasive surgery for tricuspid valve papillary fibroelastoma and right lung cancer in an elderly patient: a case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: It is very common for patients with newly diagnosed lung masses to have heart disease. However, papillary fibroelastomas (PFEs) of the tricuspid valve (TV) combined with lung cancer are rarely reported. It is thus unclear whether a two-stage surgery or concomitant surgery is optimal. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the case of a 73-year-old Chinese male who was diagnosed with PFEs on the TV by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) examination while being evaluated to undergo video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) for a right lower lung nodule. We resected both the PFEs and the lung nodule via right minithoracotomy. The surgery was uneventful, and histopathology reports confirmed PFEs of the TV and moderately to poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. The patient recovered uneventfully, and there was no sign of tumor recurrence during 15 months of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that after careful evaluation, concomitant minimally invasive radical resection of primary lung cancer after cardiac PFE removal is an acceptable and safe treatment strategy and should be performed as soon as possible.

Massive Mysteries.

Papillary fibroelastomas are benign masses often originating from the endocardium of the aortic and mitral valves. Rarely, these neoplasms are found in areas of the heart embryonically distinct from the aortic and mitral valves. Diagnosis of a papillary fibroelastoma relies on multimodal imaging as well as histologic assessment. A case series of papillary fibroelastomas in unusual locations is presented, highlighting the role of multimodal imaging techniques in identifying these intra-cardiac masses. Differential diagnoses, imaging characteristics, histopathology, and preferred management strategies for cardiac masses are reviewed. The unique imaging qualities of cardiac masses are discussed.

[Acute Coronary Syndrome Caused by Papillary Fibroelastoma:Report of a Case].

A 72-year-old female had persistent severe chest pain while climbing stairs. She was diagnosed as having acute coronary syndrome, and underwent an emergency coronary angiography (CAG). The right coronary artery (RCA) ostium was sub-totally occluded. Echocardiography revealed a 10 mm mobile mass at the right coronary cusp of the aortic valve. To avoid total obustruction on two drug eluting stents were placed at the RCA ostium so as to have the proximal end protrude into the right Valsalva sinus. Thus, her hemodynamic condition was stabilized. The tumor was surgically resected and the stents were easily removed. Pathologically, the tumor was papillary fibroelastoma. Postoperative aortic regurgitation was minimal echocardiography, and CAG showed normal RCA.

Finger ischemia in a young lady: an unusual presentation of papillary fibroelastoma with intraventricular location.

An otherwise healthy 32-year-old woman suffered from finger ischemia. An echocardiogram and computed tomography scan revealed a mobile mass in the left ventricle that was attached to the anterior papillary muscle and did not involve the valve leaflets. The tumor was resected, and histopathology confirmed it to be a papillary fibroelastoma. Our case emphasizes the significance of a comprehensive diagnostic work-up for a peripheral ischemic lesion. This resulted in the discovery of an unusual intra-ventricular origin for a commonly benign tumor.

Left Ventricular Papillary Fibroelastoma.

INTRODUCTION: Cardiac papillary fibroelastoma is a rare benign primary cardiac tumor typically found on the valvular structures of the heart. Nonvalvular papillary fibroelastomas are exceedingly rare. We report the case of a 66-year-old male who presented with cerebellar infarctions and was found to have a mobile mass attached to the endocardial surface of the anteroseptal wall of the left ventricle. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated late gadolinium enhancement. Surgical excision of the cardiac mass was performed via the transaortic approach without intra-operative complications. Histopathologic examination confirmed the diagnosis of a papillary fibroelastoma. Some aspects related to the etiology, diagnosis and management of this entity are discussed.

Tumores cardíacos benignos operados en un Centro de Cirugía Cardiovascular Regional 2015 - 2021 / Benign cardiac tumors operated on at a regional cardiovascular center (2015 - 2021)

Introducción: Los tumores cardíacos primarios se caracterizan por su baja prevalencia, son principalmente mixomas y se presentan frecuentemente de forma asintomática. Objetivos: Identificar el tipo histológico más común, edad de presentación, tipo de cirugías y sobrevida de un grupo de pacientes tratados por Tumores Cardíacos Primarios (TCP) en el Hospital Regional de Temuco. Métodos: Revisión de fichas clínicas de 14 pacientes portadores de TCP entre marzo 2015 y diciembre 2021. Resultados: El tipo histológico más común fue el mixoma (85,7%), seguido por el fibroelastomas papilar (14,3%). La edad promedio fue 62 años (39-85), 9 fueron mujeres y 5 hombres. Los antecedentes mórbidos más comunes fueron: Insuficiencia Cardíaca Congestiva (ICC), Hipertensión Arterial (HTA) y Accidente Vascular Encefálico (AVE). La localización anatómica más común fue la Aurícula izquierda (92%). El tratamiento en el 92% de los casos fue resección aislada y en el 7% restante resección y reparación con parche. Conclusiones: Nuestros resultados son concordantes con la literatura.

Background: primary cardiac tumors are characterized by a low prevalence. Most of them are myxomas and asymptomatic. Aim: To describe the most common histological type, the age of presentation, type of surgery performed and survival of a group of patients operated on for Primary Cardiac Tumors (PCT) in the Hospital Regional de Temuco (Chile). Methods: Review of clinical records of 14 patients with PCT operated on between March 2015 and December 2021. Results: By far the most common histological type was a myxoma (85.7%), followed by a papillary fibroelastoma (14.3%). Mean age was 62 years (39-85), 9 were women and 5 men. The most common associated medical conditions were Congestive Heart Failure (CHF), Arterial Hypertension and Stroke The usual anatomical location was the left atrium (92%). Surgical treatment was isolated resection in 92% of cases and along with a patch repair in the remaining patient. Conclusion: good results were obtained, similar to those described in the literature.