A Rare Case of Papillary Fibroelastoma Involving The Tricuspid Valve. A
single Center experience over a period of 22 years (1999-2021)
Abstract
Background and aim Papillary fibroelastoma (PFE) represents only 16% of
the benign cardiac tumor and approximately 15% of these are located on
tricuspid valve. Materials and Methods Over a period of 22 years
(1999-2021) we observed 75 pts with cardiac tumors at our Center over
9650 pts operated on. Most of them were mixoma but in 10 cases histology
showed a PFE. We describe a rare case (1/75 of cardiac tumors) of a
tricuspid valve PFE in a 69-year-old patient. Trans-thoracic
echocardiography demonstrated a mobile mass (20 x 10 mm), adhering to
the atrial side of the septal leaflet of the tricuspid valve. In
consideration of the mobility of the mass and the consequent high
embolic risk, surgical removal was made. Patient underwent surgery
through a median sternotomy on CPBP. A “gelatinous” mass adhering to
the tricuspid leaflet was found and completely removed. The
postoperative course was uneventful. The pathological evaluation
confirmed the diagnosis of PFE. Conclusions PFE of the tricuspid valve
is rare entities being in most cases found incidentally. In our
experience the incidence of this tumor in this location is 1/10000 cases
of cardiac surgery. Although most patients are asymptomatic, surgical
treatment is nevertheless recommended in consideration of the high
embolic risk.