Removal of huge cardiac fibroma from right ventricle in an infant

Abstract

Cardiac fibromas are rare primary cardiac tumors. Although they constitute a small portion of cardiac neoplasms, they are the most common primary cardiac neoplasm group in childhood after rhabdomyomas. Cardiac fibromas, composed of connective tissue and fibroblasts, are benign. They may be asymptomatic, cause symptoms such as intracavitary obstruction, coronary artery compression, thromboembolic events, and conduction defects, or result in sudden death. Approximately 180 to 200 cases of cardiac fibromas have been reported in the literature, and most are located in the ventricles. Since fibromas are rare, optimal treatment strategies are unclear. Surgical excision is recommended for tumors that cause arrhythmias, heart failure, or intracavitary obstruction. This video article presented the surgical excision of a 6.2x5x4.3 cm cardiac fibroma originating from the anterior wall of the right ventricle in an 11-month-old infant. Postoperative transesophageal echocardiography showed that the tumor was completely removed and that the right ventricular and tricuspid valve functions were good.