A surgical case of papillary fibroelastoma originating from the left atrial ridge

Papillary fibroelastomas are benign cardiac tumors with high embolic tendency, and usually originate from the cardiac valve. We report the case of a 49-year-old man who experienced sudden right hemiplegia and aphasia. Transesophageal echocardiography indicated a swinging tumor originating from the left atrial ridge between the orifice of the left atrial appendage and the anterolateral mitral annulus. Urgent tumor resection was performed to prevent further embolization. The histological findings of resected tumor were consistent with those of papillary fibroelastoma. To the best of our knowledge, all cases of papillary fibroelastomas that originate from the left atrial ridge are associated with cerebral vascular accidents. Therefore, prompt surgical resection is strongly recommended to prevent embolic events for those patients. <Learning objective: Papillary fibroelastomas are benign cardiac tumors and typically originate from valvular surfaces with high potential of embolization. To avoid embolic events, urgent excision of the tumor tends to be performed. All previously reported cases with papillary fibroelastoma at the left atrial ridge accompanied embolic events, therefore surgical excision should be under consideration in all such patients, regardless of the symptom, size, or configuration.>.