Open-heart surgery for a symptomatic papillary fibroelastoma of the posterior papillary muscle of the mitral valve: A case report

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DOI: 10.48087/BJMS.2026.130203

Authors: Redha LAKEHAL, Radouane BOUKARROUCHA

Affiliations: Faculté de médecine Constantine 03, lakehal.redha@gmail.com, ALGÉRIE.

Keywords: Papillary fibroelastoma, Cardiac tumor, Systemic embolism, Echocardiography, Cardiac surgery.

Abstract

Cardiac papillary fibroelastomas are rare benign tumors that usually involve the heart valves. They are often asymptomatic; however, they can cause serious complications when associated with clinical events such as systemic embolism. Diagnosis is suggested by echocardiography and confirmed by histopathological examination. The only curative treatment is surgical excision of the tumor under cardiopulmonary bypass. This approach is safe and prevents the risk of recurrent embolism. We report the case of a patient presenting with anginal chest pain. Transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography revealed a mitral valve tumor. Pathological examination of the surgical specimen confirmed the diagnosis of fibroelastoma. Simple excision of the tumor prevented further embolic events.