Papillary fibroelastoma of the tricuspid valve.

A 72-year-old male patient was admitted with chest oppression. Echocardiography disclosed a mobile tumor which was located on the atrial side of the tricuspid valve. Neither tricuspid obstruction nor regurgitation was observed. The mobility and the size, 20 mm in diameter, of the tumor indicated the need to perform surgical treatment. Through a right atriotomy, the tumor with multiple papillary fronds was found on the basal zone of the anterior leaflet. A resection of the tumor and tricuspid valvuloplasty with a partial annular reconstruction were performed. A pathological examination confirmed papillary fibroelastoma. He had an uneventful recovery, and postoperative echocardiography detected neither any residual tumor nor tricuspid regurgitation. In conclusion, it is reasonable to state that echocardiography is useful for detecting cardiac tumors, and a surgical resection is indicated for a mobile or large papillary fibroelastoma even when it is located on the right side of the heart.