Papillary fibroelastomas

Papillary fibroelastomas are rare benign neoplasms, predominantly involving cardiac valves, that have been discovered with increasing frequency through the use of echocardiography. Most are papillary lesions, less than 1 cm in size, connected to the valve or mural endocardium by a small stalk. Although often asymptomatic, embolization from the lesion or attached thrombus may cause serious neurological or cardiac events. All symptomatic papillary fibroelastomas should be removed unless there are compelling contraindications, in which case anticoagulation is an acceptable but unreliable alternative. Surgical removal is safe, simple, effective, and permanent. Asymptomatic lesions of the left side of the heart should be removed because of their potentially serious or fatal consequences, whereas those arising from the right side of the heart may be observed.