Tricuspid valve papillary fibroelastoma: an unusual cause of intermittent dyspnea

Eur J Cardiothorac Surg. 2003 Mar;23(3):429-31. doi: 10.1016/s1010-7940(02)00761-3.

Abstract

A 67-year-old woman was referred for investigation of intermittent dyspnea, which was known for years but had been worsening over the previous 3 months. Two-dimensional echocardiography revealed the presence of a mass attached to the anterior leaflet of the tricuspid valve. The patient was successfully operated on to excise the right atrial mass and preserve the tricuspid apparatus. Morphological examination of the excised tissue led to the diagnosis of papillary fibroelastoma. Surgical treatment should be considered when such a tumor is diagnosed, even in asymptomatic patients, because of the possible risk of embolization.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Dyspnea / etiology*
  • Female
  • Fibroma / complications*
  • Fibroma / diagnostic imaging
  • Fibroma / surgery
  • Heart Neoplasms / complications*
  • Heart Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Heart Neoplasms / surgery
  • Humans
  • Tricuspid Valve*
  • Ultrasonography