[Papillary cardiac fibroelastoma. An unusual presentation]

Area of Science:

• Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery
• Oncology (Neoplasms)

Background:

• Papillary fibroelastoma is a rare, benign cardiac tumor first described in 1976.
• Clinical presentations vary, complicating diagnosis despite no age or gender predilection.
• Diagnosis relies on location, macroscopic, and microscopic tumor characteristics.

Observation:

• A male patient with diabetes and hypertension presented with ischemic heart disease and ventricular tachycardia.
• Echocardiography revealed left ventricular aneurysm and an unusual apical tumor.
• The tumor involved the septum and left ventricle.

Findings:

• Primary heart tumors are rare, with an incidence of 0.0017%.
• Common symptoms include chest pain, syncope, dyspnea, and arrhythmias.
• Echocardiography often incidentally detects these tumors.

Implications:

• Papillary fibroelastoma is a recognized cause of embolic phenomena.
• Prompt surgical resection is the curative treatment of choice.
• Surgical outcomes are precise and well-tolerated, often involving tumor removal and potential valve repair.