Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 4, 2025
04:34
Surgical Treatment of an Endolymphatic Sac Tumor
Published on: May 26, 2023
1.1K
Recurrence of Pathologically Proven Papillary Fibroelastoma
Ahmed A Sorour1, Reto D Kurmann1, Edward A El-Am1
1Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.
The Annals of Thoracic Surgery
|May 22, 2021
Summary
Papillary fibroelastomas (PFEs) can recur after surgical removal, contrary to prior beliefs. Regular postoperative echocardiography is crucial for detecting these recurrent cardiac tumors.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Cardiac Surgery
- Oncology
Background:
- Papillary fibroelastoma (PFE) is the most common primary benign cardiac tumor.
- Surgical excision is common due to the embolic potential of PFEs.
- Previous research suggested PFE recurrence post-surgery is rare or nonexistent.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the recurrence rate of PFEs after surgical excision.
- To identify risk factors associated with PFE recurrence.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 98 patients with pathologically proven PFE from 1995-2018.
- Echocardiographic comparison between intraoperative, post-discharge, and recent follow-up images (≥1 year post-surgery).
- Assessment for PFE recurrence and associated clinical presentations.
Main Results:
- 12.2% of patients (12/98) experienced echocardiographically confirmed PFE recurrence.
- Recurrent lesions were resected, with pathological confirmation of PFE in two cases.
- Stroke or transient ischemic attack as initial presentation was significantly more common in the recurrence group (83% vs. 26%).
Conclusions:
- PFEs can recur after surgical excision, challenging previous assumptions.
- Postoperative surveillance using transesophageal echocardiography is vital for detecting recurrent cardiac masses.
- Early identification of recurrence may be linked to initial embolic events.
