Minimal access excision of aortic valve fibroelastoma: a case report and review of the literature

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Papillary fibroelastomas are rare primary tumours of cardiac origin accounting for approximately 10% of all primary cardiac neoplasms. Due to a high thromboembolic risk, surgical excision is the mainstay of treatment in these patients and median sternotomy the mo...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Harling Leanne, Athanasiou Thanos, Ashrafian Hutan, Kokotsakis John, Brown Virginia, Nathan Anthony, Casula Roberto
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2012-09-01
Series:Journal of Cardiothoracic Surgery
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.cardiothoracicsurgery.org/content/7/1/80
Description
Summary:<p>Abstract</p> <p>Papillary fibroelastomas are rare primary tumours of cardiac origin accounting for approximately 10% of all primary cardiac neoplasms. Due to a high thromboembolic risk, surgical excision is the mainstay of treatment in these patients and median sternotomy the most widely used approach. We describe the case of a 43 year-old lady presenting with acute myocardial infarction secondary to aortic valve papillary fibroelastoma subsequently excised using a minimal access technique. From our experience mini-sternotomy offers excellent exposure and allows for safe resection in such cases, improving cosmesis without compromising either intra or post-operative outcome.</p>
ISSN:1749-8090