Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 5, 2026

Catheter-based Endovascular Angioplasty for Fibrosing Mediastinitis-associated Pulmonary Vein Stenosis
Published on: August 26, 2025
Long-term conservative management of a giant cardiac fibroma
Martial Massin1, Abderrahmane Fazia Ould, Caroline Jacquemart
1Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Queen Fabiola Children's University Hospital, Free University of Brussels (ULB), Belgium. martial.massin@huderf.be
Insights
A giant cardiac fibroma in an infant was managed conservatively due to surgical unfeasibility. The mass remained stable, leading to an asymptomatic outcome with long-term follow-up.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pediatric Oncology
- Cardiac Surgery
Background:
- Giant cardiac fibromas are rare, benign tumors that can present in infancy.
- Early diagnosis and management are crucial for favorable outcomes.
Observation:
- A 2-week-old infant presented with a soft systolic murmur, later diagnosed with a large intraventricular cardiac fibroma.
- Tumor progression led to failure to thrive and ventricular arrhythmia between 2 and 18 months of age.
Findings:
- Complete surgical resection was deemed unfeasible; conservative management with heart failure and antiarrhythmic medications was initiated.
- At 5 years old, all medications were discontinued as the mass remained stable and the patient became asymptomatic.
Implications:
- Conservative management may be a viable option for selected pediatric cardiac fibroma cases.
- Close, long-term patient monitoring is essential for evaluating tumor stability and clinical status.
Abstract:
A giant cardiac fibroma was discovered during evaluation for a soft systolic murmur in an asymptomatic 2-week-old girl. Echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging showed a large intraventricular solid mass developed at the expense of the left ventricular lateral wall. Tumour progression resulted in failure to thrive and ventricular arrhythmia between 2 and 18 months of age. At that time, complete resection seemed unfeasible and conservative management with heart failure and antiarrhythmic medications was chosen. All drugs were discontinued when the patient was 5 years old. Since that time, the mass is stable and the patient is strictly asymptomatic. Conservative strategy seems to be acceptable in selected cases but close follow-up is mandatory.
More Related Videos
08:42Cox-Maze IV Procedure Concomitant with Valvular Surgery In Situs Inversus Dextrocardia: A Single-Center Experience in China
Published on: February 11, 2022
09:11Cell-based Therapy for Heart Failure in Rat: Double Thoracotomy for Myocardial Infarction and Epicardial Implantation of Cells and Biomatrix
Published on: September 22, 2014
Related Concept Videos
Cardiomyopathy V: Interprofessional Care
Aneurysm III: Interprofessional Care
Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Mitral Stenosis III: Medical Management
Cardiomyopathy VII: Pre and Post Operative Nursing Management
Pericarditis III: Medical Management