The carcinoid syndrome: An unusual cause of valvular heart disease

A 30-year-old woman presented to the Emergency Department with complaints o f shortness of breath, orthopnea, and a severe reduction in exercise tolera nce. The symptoms were the result of severe valvular heart disease that res ulted from a bronchopulmonary carcinoid tumor. The carcinoid syndrome is a distinctive clinical syndrome seen in patients with carcinoid tumors. Cardi ac valvular lesions are seen in the majority of patients with the carcinoid syndrome and represent the most clinically significant consequence of the carcinoid syndrome. This case report discusses carcinoid tumors, the carcin oid syndrome induced by these tumors, and the therapeutic options in the ma nagement of carcinoid tumors. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Inc.