Incidentally detected tricuspid papillary fibroelastoma

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Surgical Pathology

Background:

• Cardiac masses can be incidentally discovered during preoperative evaluations for other cardiac conditions.
• Papillary fibroelastomas are the most common primary cardiac tumors, typically found on valves.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a case of papillary fibroelastoma incidentally found during preoperative echocardiography.
• To highlight the impact of incidental cardiac mass findings on surgical planning.

Main Methods:

• Preoperative transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography were utilized for cardiac mass visualization.
• Surgical resection of the mass was performed during the planned coronary artery bypass graft surgery.
• Gross anatomical examination and characteristic "sea anemone" appearance in saline confirmed the diagnosis.

Main Results:

• Echocardiography revealed thickening and masses on the anterior leaflet of the tricuspid valve.
• The resected mass exhibited finger-like fronds on a stalk, consistent with papillary fibroelastoma.
• The incidental finding led to a significant modification of the planned surgical procedure.

Conclusions:

• Incidental papillary fibroelastoma can be detected using echocardiography.
• Such findings necessitate careful surgical planning and can alter the course of planned cardiac procedures.