Papillary Fibroelastomas: 16-Year Single-Center Experience

Papillary fibroelastoma is a rare primary benign cardiac tumor. The majority of patients are asymptomatic. Complications may result in embolic events, syncope, ventricular arrhythmias, and sudden death. In this study, we report on a series of papillary fibroelastomas documented in our institution.

Medical history records from period between 2007 and 2022 were reviewed for all the patients diagnosed with cardiac papillary fibroelastomas treated surgically and confirmed histologically. Clinical, tumor, and demographic characteristics, echocardiography findings, and treatment modalities were analyzed.

In a sixteen-year period, 12 cases of papillary fibroelastomas were documented. The percentage of female patients was 83.3%. The average age was 59.0 ± 11.2 years. Average diameter of tumor was 1.2 cm. The aortic valve was the most common origin site, with six cases (50%). In two cases (17%), the mitral valve was involved. There were single cases of tumor (8% each) found on the tricuspid valve, in the left atrium, in the left ventricle, and in the right ventricle. All patients were treated successfully by complete resection.

PFEs are generally small and single tumors. Complete surgical resection of the tumor has a good prognosis and is a safe, efficient, and definitive treatment.