Transapical Left Ventricular Approach for Cardiac Papillary Fibroelastomas: A Case Report
Ovidiu Stiru1,2, Roxana Carmen Geana1, Petru Razvan Dragulescu1
1Prof. Dr. C. C. Iliescu Emergency Institute for Cardiovascular Diseases, Bucharest, Romania.
In Vivo (Athens, Greece)
|November 4, 2020
Summary
Cardiac papillary fibroelastomas (CPF) are benign tumors that can cause serious embolic events. Surgical resection via a transapical approach is a safe and effective treatment for left ventricular CPF.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Cardiac Surgery
- Oncology
Background:
- Cardiac papillary fibroelastomas (CPF) are rare, benign endocardial tumors.
- Left ventricular CPF can obstruct outflow and embolize, causing life-threatening events.
- These tumors are highly thrombogenic.
Observation:
- A 74-year-old female presented with palpitations and dyspnea, with a history of transient ischemic attack.
- Echocardiography and cardiac MRI revealed a left ventricular mass on the interventricular septum.
- The mass did not affect valve function.
Findings:
- Surgical resection of the left ventricular mass was performed via left apical ventriculotomy.
- Histopathology confirmed a papillary fibroelastoma.
- The patient had an uneventful recovery and no recurrence at 6 months.
Implications:
- Left ventricular papillary fibroelastomas, despite being benign, pose a significant embolic risk.
- Surgical intervention is recommended for symptomatic or high-risk CPF.
- The transapical approach is a safe and effective surgical option.
