Cardiac papillary fibroelastomas (PFEs) are the most common primary benign tumors of the heart (1). Histologically, they consist of avascular fibroelastic tissue surrounded by endocardium (1). While not malignant in the classical sense, they have a clinical importance since they may be a source of systemic embolization due to embolization of either the tumor or adherent surface thrombus (2, 3). Symptoms are frequently the sequelae of embolization and can include angina, shortness of breath, and symptoms of stroke/transient ischemic attack (1–3).

Their etiology is still unknown, though several theories were proposed. Given their propensity to arise on damaged endocardium, it is possible that this injury can result in their formation. In this report, we describe a case of a PFE arising on the tricuspid valve (TV) in a 1-year-old born with congenital heart disease.

A previously healthy prematurely-born (36 4/7 weeks) male presented to his pediatrician at 1-week of age for regular follow up. The pediatrician realized a soft 2/6 systolic murmur with a fixed split. An echocardiogram showed both a partial atrioventricular (AV) canal defect, consisting of a primum atrial septal defect (ASD), and cleft mitral valve (MV). The patient was maintained on medical management (diuretics) and supplemental oxygen for episodic cyanotic spells. At 13 months of age, episodes of persistent cyanosis and respiratory distress occurred, which on work-up revealed pulmonary hypertension. He was then transferred to our institution for definitive surgical correction of his congenital disease.

On admission, the patient was fussy and diaphoretic. Physical exam revealed a grade 3/6 systolic ejection murmur at the upper left sternal border and grade 3/6 diastolic rumble at the left lower sternal border. Chest Xray revealed cardiomegaly, prominent aortic nob and increased pulmonary vascular markings. A detailed preoperative congenital transthoracic echocardiogram reported, in addition to the partial AV canal defect, a thickened MV with moderate-severe regurgitation (Figure 1A, Supplementary Videos 1, 2). Further examination of the MV revealed mild mitral hypoplasia. Left ventricular size and function (ejection fraction = 77%) were normal. The aortic valve was normal. In addition, severe pulmonary hypertension (systolic pulmonary artery pressure = 72 mm Hg) with severe right ventricular and right atrial enlargement with subsequent decrease in right systolic function were noted. Furthermore, thickened TV leaflets with moderate regurgitation was seen, especially during the Intra-Op transesophageal echocardiography (Figure 1B). Detailed findings of the echocardiogram can be found in Table 1. During surgery, a large primum defect and a small secundum defect separated by a muscle bar were noted. The anterior mitral leaflet appeared dysplastic on either side of the cleft with a parachute configuration. The surgeon then partially sutured the mitral cleft and performed commissuroplasty. There was residual mild mitral regurgitation after repair and surgeon could not further intervene on the valve because of concerns that it would make it stenotic. The tricuspid valve was dilated, and a mass was noted. Tricuspid annuloplasty and excision of the mass was done. Finally, the surgeon was able to patch the atrial septal defect (Supplementary Video 3). A 3-mm punch was places in the atrial septal patch given the pulmonary hypertension.

Gross inspection of the TV tissue revealed a 0.7 × 0.2 × 0.2 cm mass that appeared as a portion of pedunculated tan tissue with minute papillary projects. Gross and light microscopic examination confirmed the diagnosis of PFE (Figure 2). Molecular analysis of the specimen did not reveal a KRAS mutation on targeted amplification.

The patient had close follow up with regular echocardiograms until 3 years of age. The patient reported no symptoms other than occasional fatigue. Due to severe residual mitral regurgitation, with severe left atrial enlargement (Left atrial volume index = 90 ml/m²), he then underwent MV replacement with a mechanical valve. The MV salvaged was found to be dysplastic on pathologic examination, however no PFE was found. Table 2 summarizes the clinical presentation, management and follow up of the patient.

PFEs are now considered the most common primary cardiac tumor found in the general population (3). The etiology of PFE is not well-established. Multiple theories exist, including the acquired and congenital theories. Not uncommonly, PFEs arising on damaged endocardial surfaces. This postulate is strengthened by multiple observations of PFEs arising on damaged valve. It is also not uncommon in adults for the PFE to be identified in the OR by the surgeon or by intraoperative echocardiography (20%) (3). This highlights the necessity of surgeons and echocardiographers to have a high level of vigilance in patients with underlying endocardial pathology for the possibility of PFE.

Furthermore, most reports in children are in association with congenital heart disease, in which there is abnormal flow and, hence, endocardial injury (4, 5). Two prior cases reported PFE in trisomic patients with cardiac anomalies, although our patient did not have a known chromosomal abnormality (4, 5). More recently, cases of PFE that harbor mutations in the oncogenic driver gene KRAS raise the possibility of a subset of these being truly neoplastic – possibly resulting from clonal expansion (possibly after injury) (6). This would essentially suggest the possibility of a complex interplay between environmental factors that potentially result in a genetically driven process.

This is one of the youngest patients reported in the literature to have a papillary fibroelastoma confirmed by pathology, thus expanding the descriptive spectrum of patients affected by this condition.

The original contributions generated for the study are included in the article/Supplementary Material, further inquiries can be directed to the corresponding author.

Ethical review and approval was not required for the study on human participants in accordance with the local legislation and institutional requirements. Written informed consent to participate in this study was provided by the participants' legal guardian/next of kin.

All authors contributed to the writing and revision of the manuscript.

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.