Cardiac papillary fibroelastoma: a retrospect of four cases

OBJECTIVE We have reviewed the medical histories of 4 patients who underwent operations between November 2004 and February 2011 at Changhai Hospital for cardiac papillary fibroelastoma. METHODS Diagnosis was demonstrably suggested by echocardiography. Tumor locations were mitral valve (1), left atrium (1), and aortic valve (2). Indications for operation were previous cerebrovascular accident for the mitral tumor, incidental apopsychia and giant mobile mass for the left atrium, ingravescent chest tightness and palpitations for the first aortic tumor, and severe regurgitation of aortic valve for the second aortic tumor. The study was approved by the Changhai Hospital Ethics Committee, and the consent from the patients or their immediate family was obtained. RESULTS Surgical excision with necessary valve replacement operations was performed in all cases. All patients had uneventful postoperative recoveries. No evidence of regurgitation or recurrence was seen on echocardiography at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS Despite their histologically benign aspect, cardiac papillary fibroelastomas should be removed because of potential embolic complications.