E-page Original Images: Papillary fibroelastoma of the mitral valve chordae causing transient ischemic attacks

Cardiac papillary fibroelastoma (CPF) is the most common tumor of the heart valves. Although the tumor generally arises from the valvular endocardium of the mitral or aortic valve, there have been limited numbers of reports on isolated CPF of the mitral valve chordate. This benign tumor may present with systemic embolization. Fragile papillary fronds or fibrin aggregations on the tumor is a cause for systemic embolization. The differential diagnosis includes other heart tumors such as myxoma or lipoma, vegetation, thrombus formation, calcification and Lambl s excrescences. Surgery can be performed with complete resection preserving the mitral valve and its subvalvular apparatus.