CARCINOID CARDIAC DISEASE

Carcinoid cardiac disease is a common complication of metastatic carci noid tumours. It is characterized by tricuspid regurgitation and pulmo nary stenosis. A 68 years old woman with a metastatic carcinoid tumour was admitted to hospital far congestive cardiac failure secondary to severe tricuspid regurgitation. Typical carcinoid lesions of the tricu spid and pulmonary valves were observed at echocardiography. A double valve replacement was performed with a favourable outcome. Postoperati ve echocardiography showed a significant improvement in right ventricu lar function. Surgical management of carcinoid valvular heart disease of NYHA Stage III patients is associated with an improved 2 years surv ival (from 8 to 40 %) despite a high operative mortality (about 27 %). Cardiac surgery remains the only hope of long-term survival with a sp ectacular improvement in symptoms.