Case Report
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World J Cardiol. Apr 26, 2013; 5(4): 102-105
Published online Apr 26, 2013. doi: 10.4330/wjc.v5.i4.102
Papillary fibroelastoma of the aortic valve: An unusual cause of angina
Madan Raj Aryal, Madan Badal, Naba Raj Mainali, Leena Jalota, Rajesh Pradhan
Madan Raj Aryal, Madan Badal, Naba Raj Mainali, Leena Jalota, Department of Medicine, Reading Health System, West Reading, PA 19611, United States
Rajesh Pradhan, Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA 19107, United States
Author contributions: Aryal MR, Badal M and Jalota L wrote the primary draft of the manuscript; Mainali NR obtained histopathological slide and edited the primary draft; Pradhan R provided cardiac computed tomography scan image and echocardiography picture, reviewed and edited the final manuscript.
Correspondence to: Madan Raj Aryal, MD, Department of Medicine, Reading Health System, West Reading, PA 19611, United States. aryal.madan@gmail.com
Telephone: +1-917-7563767 Fax: +1-484-6289003
Received: December 31, 2012
Revised: March 20, 2013
Accepted: March 28, 2013
Published online: April 26, 2013
Processing time: 117 Days and 8.3 Hours
Abstract

Papillary fibroelastoma of the aortic valve is an uncommon benign tumor of the heart that can present with embolic events. We report a case of 54-year-old lady with exertional chest pain and prior history of ST segment elevation myocardial infarction who was subsequently found to have a fibroelastoma of the aortic valve. The absence of angiographically significant coronary artery disease and resolution of anginal symptoms post-surgery in our patient points to the possibility of fibroelastoma causing these anginal symptoms. Although uncommon, fibroelastoma are being recognized more frequently with the help of transesophageal echocardiography. Hence, in the absence of significant coronary artery disease, we emphasize the importance of consideration of papillary fibroelastoma of the aortic valve as a cause of angina. We also discuss the key aspects of the fibroelastoma including presentation, diagnostic modalities and treatment options.

Keywords: Papillary fibroelastoma; Angina; Aortic valve; Surgical resection; Embolic event

Core tip: Papillary fibroelastoma of the aortic valve is an uncommon benign tumor of the heart which can present with embolic events. In this report we present a 54-year-old female with prior history of ST segment elevation myocardial infarction who presented with exertional chest pain. She was subsequently found to have a papillary fibroelastoma of the aortic valve.