Papillary fibroelastoma: 3 cases reports

Papillary fibroelastoma is a rare, benign, primary cardiac tumour. The auth ors report three cases presenting with transient or full cerebrovascular ac cidents. The tumours were diagnosed during investigation by echocardiograph y, especially transoesophageal echocardiography. In view of the severity of symptoms and the high risk of recurrence, the patients were rapidly referr ed for surgery. In two cases, the tumour was located on the aortic valve at several sites. In one case, the tumour was single and implanted on the mitral valve. Surge ry was successful with the pathology reports confirming complete ablation. The patients have not had any recurrence to date. The multiple nature of these tumours raises the questions of local spread, secondary degeneration of valvular nodes ? The problem of possible recurren ces is discussed.