CARDIAC HEMANGIOMAS

Cardiac hemangiomas are rare benign vascular tumors of the heart. To d ate, 23 cases have been reported. Symptoms are usually due to compress ion of cardiac structures or obstruction of outflow tracts. Echocardio graphy usually directs the diagnosis toward a cardiac mass. Enhanced-c ontrast computed tomographic scan or magnetic resonance imaging establ ishes the diagnosis of hypervascularized cardiac tumor. Coronary arter iography establishes the diagnosis by showing the characteristic tumor blush. Surgical resection is done using cardiopulmonary bypass. Long- term outcome is favorable.