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Papillary fibroelastoma: echocardiographic characteristics for diagnosis and pathologic correlation
K W Klarich1, M Enriquez-Sarano, G M Gura
1Division of Cardiovascular Diseases and Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA. klarich.kyle@mayo.edu
Journal of the American College of Cardiology
|September 1, 1997
Summary
Papillary fibroelastomas (PFEs) are rare cardiac tumors often found incidentally. Echocardiography can diagnose these tumors, which are associated with embolic events but do not cause valvular dysfunction.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Cardiac Oncology
- Diagnostic Imaging
Background:
- Papillary fibroelastoma (PFE) is a rare cardiac tumor with limited existing data.
- Understanding its clinical and echocardiographic profile is crucial for diagnosis and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the clinical and echocardiographic characteristics of papillary fibroelastoma (PFE).
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of institutional records (1980-1995) for patients with pathological or echocardiographic diagnosis of PFE.
- Group 1: 17 patients with pathological PFE and echocardiography to establish features.
- Group 2: 37 patients with echocardiographic evidence of PFE.
Main Results:
- In Group 1, 41.2% of patients were symptomatic, with 29.4% experiencing neurologic events. PFEs were typically small, pedunculated, mobile, and had a speckled pattern.
- Echocardiographic findings included tumors on valvular (60%) and other endocardial surfaces (40%), without causing valvular dysfunction.
- In Group 2, 43% were asymptomatic; 13.5% had prior neurologic events. Nine neurologic events occurred during follow-up (mean 31 months).
Conclusions:
- Papillary fibroelastomas are linked to embolic events, particularly neurologic events.
- Echocardiography is effective for diagnosing PFEs.
- PFEs are frequently incidental findings and do not typically impair valvular function.