Pulmonary artery obstruction due to papillary fibroelastoma on the pulmonary valve: a rare cardiac tumor

Abstract

Papillary fibroelastomas (PFEs) are primary cardiac tumors. They are rare benign tumors that occur on the endocardium of the heart, especially on the heart valves. The majority of these benign tumors have been observed on the left side of the heart and involved the aortic and mitral valves; however, occurrence on the right side of the heart has been infrequently reported, with only a few cases documented on the pulmonary valve. Most patients with PFEs are asymptomatic and the tumors are usually found incidentally. The tumors have the potential to cause systemic or pulmonary embolism or obstructive phenomena. We present a rare case of a papillary fibroelastoma occurring on the pulmonary valve with clinical presentation due to pulmonary artery obstruction. The tumor was removed surgically.