Papillary fibroelastoma of the left atrial appendage: Echocardiographic findings

Papillary fibroelastoma is a small and rare benign intracardiac tumor that most frequently arises from the valvular endocardium. We report a patient w ith acute myocardial infarction in whom a papillary fibroelastoma in the le ft atrial appendage was detected by a transesophageal echocardiography duri ng evaluation of the myocardial infarction. The roles of transesophageal ec hocardiography and surgical intervention are discussed. (C) 2000 by The Soc iety of Thoracic Surgeons.