Ventricular tumors: surgical options

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Surgery
• Pediatric Oncology
• Cardiac Pathology

Background:

• Primary cardiac tumors originating in the ventricles are exceptionally rare.
• This study reviews a series of patients diagnosed with ventricular neoplasms over an 8-year period.

Observation:

• Nine patients presented with primary ventricular tumors: six in the right ventricle, two in the left, and one biventricular.
• The patient cohort comprised seven children and two adults.
• All identified neoplasms were histologically benign.

Findings:

• Six tumors were obstructive, necessitating intervention. Of these, five underwent surgery: three with complete resection, one partial excision, and one Fontan-Kreutzer procedure.
• One neonate with an obstructive tumor died preoperatively.
• Two non-obstructive tumors were managed conservatively; one patient experienced sudden death, while the other was monitored.
• No perioperative or long-term mortality was observed in the six surgically treated patients.

Implications:

• Complete or partial surgical excision of ventricular neoplasms is generally achievable with favorable long-term prognoses.
• For unresectable tumors, Fontan-type operations provide effective palliation by excluding the right ventricle from circulation.