Case report
Minimal access excision of aortic valve fibroelastoma: a case report and review of the literature
1 Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, Imperial College London, 10th Floor, QEQM Building, St. Mary's Campus, Praed Street, London, W2 1NY, UK
2 Department of Cardiology, Watford General Hospital, Vicarage Road, Herts, Watford, WD18 0HB, Ireland
Journal of Cardiothoracic Surgery 2012, 7:80 doi:10.1186/1749-8090-7-80
Published: 3 September 2012Abstract
Papillary fibroelastomas are rare primary tumours of cardiac origin accounting for approximately 10% of all primary cardiac neoplasms. Due to a high thromboembolic risk, surgical excision is the mainstay of treatment in these patients and median sternotomy the most widely used approach. We describe the case of a 43 year-old lady presenting with acute myocardial infarction secondary to aortic valve papillary fibroelastoma subsequently excised using a minimal access technique. From our experience mini-sternotomy offers excellent exposure and allows for safe resection in such cases, improving cosmesis without compromising either intra or post-operative outcome.
