Clinical Features of Cardiac Calcified Amorphous Tumor: A Narrative Review

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Pathology
• Nephrology

Background:

• Cardiac calcified amorphous tumors (CATs) are non-neoplastic cardiac masses.
• Increasing reports of CATs highlight the need to clarify their clinical manifestations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a narrative review of Cardiac Calcified Amorphous Tumors (CATs).
• To identify and analyze the clinical characteristics of CATs, particularly in relation to end-stage renal disease (ESRD).

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive literature search of PubMed using the keyword "Cardiac Calcified Amorphous Tumor".
• Statistical analysis of clinical features from 106 criteria-matched cases across 113 retrieved articles (1997-2022).
• Analysis included patient background, ESRD status, embolic risk factors, and CAT features (shape, location, mobility, pathology, treatment).

Main Results:

• Mobile CATs were more prevalent in patients with chronic renal failure/ESRD.
• Specific CAT shapes (linear, club-shaped, spindle-shaped) were associated with mobility and ESRD, often located in the mitral valve region.
• CAT characteristics (shape, mobility, location, mechanism) were significantly influenced by the presence or absence of ESRD.

Conclusions:

• The presence of ESRD impacts CAT morphology, mobility, and location.
• Mobile CATs, particularly those in the mitral valve region and associated with ESRD, pose a high risk of embolism.
• Early diagnosis through periodic examination in ESRD patients and aggressive surgical intervention are crucial for managing CATs.