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Published on: July 23, 2014
Primary cardiac valve tumors
P E Ryan1, A I Obeid, F B Parker
1Suny Health Science Center, Syracuse Crouse Irving Memorial Hospital, NY, USA.
Abstract:
Cardiac valve tumors are rare, but may have significant clinical manifestations. We report three cases of mitral valve tumor successfully treated by surgical excision. Two out of three patients presented with neurologic symptoms, and by utilizing echocardiography the valvular lesions were discovered. Surgical removal with preservation of normal valve tissue and function was accomplished without difficulty in all cases. A literature review was performed which comprises case reports of one hundred and twenty-eight patients. Most were asymptomatic, but when symptoms did occur, they could be disabling, such as stroke, myocardial infarction and sudden death. Transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography has greatly enhanced the ability to make this diagnosis in a timely fashion. Papillary fibroelastoma is by far the most common lesion and is amenable to simple surgical excision with minimal morbidity and mortality. Recurrence has not been reported.
Insights
Cardiac valve tumors, though rare, can cause serious symptoms like stroke. Surgical excision offers a successful treatment, preserving valve function with minimal risk. Recurrence has not been observed.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Cardiac Surgery
- Oncology
Background:
- Cardiac valve tumors are uncommon but can lead to significant clinical issues.
- Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for patient outcomes.
Observation:
- Three cases of mitral valve tumors treated successfully via surgical excision are presented.
- Echocardiography, including transthoracic and transesophageal approaches, proved vital for diagnosing valvular lesions.
- Neurologic symptoms were present in two of the three patients, highlighting potential systemic effects.
Findings:
- Surgical removal of cardiac valve tumors was achieved with preservation of normal valve tissue and function.
- A literature review of 128 patients indicated that papillary fibroelastoma is the most frequent cardiac valve tumor.
- While many patients are asymptomatic, symptomatic cases can manifest as disabling events like stroke, myocardial infarction, or sudden death.
Implications:
- Timely diagnosis of cardiac valve tumors is enhanced by advanced echocardiography techniques.
- Simple surgical excision is an effective treatment for papillary fibroelastomas, associated with minimal morbidity and mortality.
- The findings support surgical intervention as a safe and effective strategy for managing cardiac valve tumors, with no reported recurrences.
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