Surgery for Primary Cardiac Tumors in Children

Exploring Cardiovascular Involvement in Tuberous Sclerosis: Insights for Pediatric Clinicians

Tuberous sclerosis is a rare genetic disorder involving mainly the nervous and cardiovascular systems. The early recognition of the cardiovascular manifestations by the pediatrician allows an appropriate management and therefore enhances the quality of life of the affected children. Cardiac rhabdomyomas and the associated arrhythmias are the first cardiac features and they might represent a diagnosis challenge given their wide spectrum of clinical manifestations. We aimed to provide the paediatric practitioners with current knowledge regarding the cardiovascular complications in children with tuberous sclerosis. We overviewed the antenatal and postnatal evolution of cardiovascular manifestations, the systematic screening and long-term follow-up strategy of cardiac rhabdomyomas and arrhythmias in children with tuberous sclerosis.

Surgical debulking of large ventricular fibromas in children

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to provide an update on the clinical presentation, diagnostic workup, operative strategies, and midterm outcomes in children undergoing ventricular fibroma resection.

METHODS

Single-center, retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing ventricular fibroma resection between 2000 and 2023.

RESULTS

Among 52 patients, median age at surgery was 2.0 years (interquartile range, 0.8-4.6) and median tumor volume index was 69 mL/m2 (interquartile range, 49-169). Tumor distorted the atrioventricular valve/subvalvar apparatus in 30 patients (58%) and abutted major epicardial coronary arteries in 41 patients (79%). Surgery was indicated for arrythmia (n = 45, 86%), symptoms (n = 14, 27%), or hemodynamic compromise (n = 11, 21%). Tumor was debulked in 34 patients (65%), including the last 21 patients. Concomitant atrioventricular valvuloplasty was performed in 18 patients and ventricular cavity closure in 15 patients (29%). During a median follow-up of 2.4 years (interquartile range, 0.8-6.2), there was no mortality, cardiac arrests, heart transplants, or single ventricle palliation. The 15-year risk of reoperation and clinical ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation was 6.7% (95% CI, 0-14.3) and 2.4% (95% CI, 0-7.2), respectively. On latest imaging, pre- and postdebulking left ventricular ejection fraction did not significantly differ (P = .069), whereas no patients had signs of outflow tract obstruction, inflow tract obstruction, or moderate or greater atrioventricular valve regurgitation.

CONCLUSIONS

Large ventricular fibromas can be resected safely with appropriate surgical planning and an emphasis on debulking. Most children maintain left ventricular function and remain free of recurrent ventricular arrhythmias at follow-up. Extended follow-up is warranted to understand whether patients remain at risk for scar-based ventricular arrhythmias in the future.

A rare morphology of the cardiac fibroma in a child: a case report

Here we report a rare morphology of a cardiac fibroma in a child. A 2-year and 8-month-old toddler came for "chronic constipation" and was found to have a heart murmur on cardiac auscultation. Further transthoracic echocardiography suggested "a strong echogenic mass in the left ventricular wall, with some part of "a string of beads" in shape extending into left ventricle outflow tract", which was atypical for either a tumor, thrombus or vegetation. The child underwent resection of the mass and mitral valvuloplasty. Pathological examination confirmed the mass as a cardiac fibroma.

From cyanosis to diagnosis: A case report on right atrial fibroma in a pediatric patient

A 3-year-old female patient presented with symptoms of cyanosis and intermittent eyelid edema, leading to the discovery of a lobulated mass in the right atrium, obstructing the superior vena cava. Despite the inability to entirely remove the mass due to its origins in the right atrium myocardium and its extension towards the sinoatrial node, successful surgical intervention and subsequent histopathological evaluation identified the mass as a fibroma, and postoperative symptoms were significantly alleviated.

Cardiac endothelial sarcoma with hypereosinophilia of children: a case report

Cardiac malignancies in children are extremely rare and they with hypereosinophilia are rather relatively uncommon. The majority of individuals may survive over the long term even with heart tumors provided they don't have any significant symptoms and their hemodynamics are unaffected. But we should nevertheless be aware of them, especially when they are coupled with persistent hypereosinophilia and the development of a hemodynamic anomaly. The case of a malignant heart tumor with hypereosinophilia in a 13-year-old girl is presented in this paper. She exhibited an echocardiographic deficit and a heart murmur. Additionally, it was difficult to treat her hypereosinophilia. Nevertheless, it was resolved the day after the operation. We presume that there is a certain relationship between them. This study gives clinicians a wide range of options for analyzing the connections between malignancy and hypereosinophilia.

Ventricular tachycardia in the setting of a large cardiac fibroma in a pediatric patient

Ventricular tachycardia and cardiac tumors are both extremely rare diagnoses in pediatric patients. We report a pediatric case of cardiac fibroma that was noted during the work up of ventricular tachycardia in a young patient concomitantly diagnosed with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2.

Atrial septal defect with a rare occupying lesion in heart

Background

Cardiac epicardium hemangiomas are exceedingly rare; however, they can cause significant hemodynamic impairment and large pericardial effusions. On rare occasion, cardiac tumors coexist with malformations of the heart.

Case presentation

We present the case of a 10-month-old female infant with a rare cardiac surface hemangioma coexisting with malformations of the heart. It revealed an atrial septal defect (ASD) coexisting with an abnormal occupying lesion with high echogenicity. It was 35*12*9 mm in size and was found in the anterior atrioventricular junction to the posterior atrioventricular junction at the bottom of the ventricular septum by transthoracic echocardiography. We performed surgical treatment of the atrial septal defect and performed biopsy with the occupying lesion. The histopathological examination reported a benign tumor as hemangioma. As far as we know, this is the first case in which cardiac surface hemangioma was found to coexist with an atrial septal defect.

Conclusions

Cardiac epicardium hemangiomas is a rare solid tumor of the heart. If the mass is impossible to resect and does not cause hemodynamic impairment, only mass biopsy is possible.

Fetal cardiac capillary hemangioma resulting in tachyarrhythmia

We present the case of a fetus with cardiac capillary hemangioma in the right atrial cavity. The tumor showed dramatic growth between the 28^th and 32^nd week of gestation and resulted in tachyarrhythmia. The patient was born at the 33 weeks of gestation weighing 2430 g via urgent cesarean section because the rapidly growing cardiac tumor caused incessant tachyarrhythmia, pericardial effusion, and fetal circulatory incompetence. Coronary angiography revealed that the right coronary artery drained into the tumor. Due to hemodynamic deterioration, the patient underwent subtotal resection of the tumor on the 2^nd day after birth. Histopathological examination revealed an undifferentiated capillary hemangioma. The patient was discharged at the age of 86 days, as the tachyarrhythmia and hemodynamic incompetence had subsided; however, bradycardia and intermittent atrioventricular conduction disturbance gradually developed. Capillary hemangioma, a rare primary cardiac space-occupying tumor in children, can invade the conduction system.

Genetic insights into cardiac tumors: a comprehensive review

Cardiac neoplasms are rare, however, also a curable form of the disease once detected early. In recent years the viscus tumors have gained their highlights, due to the advancement in techniques like echocardiography both 2D and 3D, MRI, etc. These cardiac tumors are divided based on their benign and malignant nature and also as well as primary and secondary cardiac tumors. Largely the primary cardiac tumors are often than secondary cardiac tumors. The secondary tumor happens anywhere in the body involving the heart. The most common malignant tumors are sarcoma, some are angiosarcomas, fibromas, rhabdosarcoma, and leiomyosarcoma. The primary sarcoma affects both men and women at an equal rate with non-specific symptoms. These conditions led to high demand in genomic testing that helps in spot the mutation that leads to the particular type of cardiac neoplasm and it additionally helps to screen the mutated sequence and stop it from being inherited. Recent studies on cardiac tumors have revealed many genes that are involved in tumorigenesis and technologies have enabled the right screening of the tumor location within the heart and their histopathological studies were also studied. This review principally focuses on the understanding of the various forms of cardiac tumors, genetic variants involved and their influence, genetic testing, and different diagnostic approaches in cardiac tumors.

A spiral cystic fibroma originating from left ventricular fascicular muscle: a case report

Background

In adults, cardiac fibromas are fairly rare, mostly round in shape, and few cases of ventricular fibromas of other morphology have been reported.

Case presentation

We report a case of a 47-year-old male patient admitted with recurrent nocturnal paroxysmal dyspnea, diagnosed by transthoracic cardiac ultrasound, transesophageal ultrasound, and computed tomography (CT) as a left ventricular occupancy with a spiral shape resembling a conch with a fixed base and a free distal end.

Conclusion

This case reports a rare but noteworthy morphological features of the adult uncommon ventricular tumor pathological type. Furthermore, the patient had no notable postoperative issues and was followed up on for a year following surgery, with no residual tumors or arrhythmias discovered during the examination.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12893-022-01616-w.

Surgery for Primary Cardiac Tumors in Children: Successful Management of Large Fibromas

Background

Pediatric primary cardiac tumors (PCTs) are rare. Its clinical features and prognoses are not well defined. The management of asymptomatic patients with cardiac fibromas remains controversial.

Objective

We aimed to examine our experience in surgical resection of pediatric PCT, with specific focuses on the management of large fibromas.

Methods

This study included all the children who underwent surgical resection of PCT in our institution between December 2008 and June 2021. The last follow-up was performed between June 1st and August 26th, 2021. Kaplan–Meier method was used to estimate the postoperative survival, freedom from reoperation, event-free survival, and also related risk factors. The tumor volume and volume index (volume divided by body surface area) were measured for cardiac fibromas.

Results

Of the 39 patients with median operative age of 9.5 [interquartile range (IQR): 1.2–16.5] years, 35 (89.7%) had benign tumors (fibromas for 15, myxomas for 13, and others for 7). The length and volume of fibromas were independent of age and symptoms (Ps > 0.05). The fibroma volume index was negatively correlated with age (P = 0.039), with a mean value of 105 ± 70 ml/m². Of the 15 patients with fibromas, 5 were asymptomatic, 4 received partial resection, 4 required transmural resection, and 4 presented postoperative left ventricular (LV) dysfunction (ejection fraction <50%). During the median follow-up period of 3.1 years and maximum of 12.5 years, adverse events included 2 early and 1 late death, 4 reoperations, 4 tumor recurrences, and 1 LV dysfunction lasting over one year. The 8-year survival, freedom from reoperation, and event-free survival rates were 90.4, 81.8, and 64.2%, respectively. Malignant tumor (P < 0.001) was associated with more adverse events. Transmural resection (P = 0.022) and larger tumor volume index than LV end-diastolic volume (P = 0.046) were risk factors for LV dysfunction following fibromas resection.

Conclusion

Pediatric surgery for PCT can be performed with low mortalities and few adverse events. The size of cardiac fibroma in children relatively decreases with the increase of age. Larger tumor volume index than LV end-diastolic volume index and transmural tumor resection predicts postoperative LV dysfunction.

Surgical Treatment of Primary Cardiac Tumors in Children Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

This systematic review sought to investigate the current evidence regarding surgical management of primary cardiac tumors in children. Twenty-four studies were deemed eligible, reporting on 713 pediatric patients. Cumulative 30-day mortality rate was 5.5% and 7.5% after surgery. It was revealed a statistically lower mortality rate in the group of patients below 1 year of age, justifying a more aggressive surgical approach for primary cardiac tumors, except for rhabdomyoma that can regress spontaneously.

Ventricular outflow tract obstruction: An in-silico model to relate the obstruction to hemodynamic quantities in cardiac paediatric patients

BACKGROUND

Right (R) or left (L) ventricular outflow tract (VOT) obstruction can be either a dynamic phenomenon or a congenital anatomic lesion, which requires a prompt and optimal timing of treatment to avoid a pathological ventricular remodelling.

OBJECTIVE

To develop a simple and reliable numerical tool able to relate the R/L obstruction size with the pressure gradient and the cardiac output. To provide indication of the obstruction severity and be of help in the clinical management of patients and designing the surgical treatment for obstruction mitigation.

METHODS

Blood flow across the obstruction is described according to the classical theory of one-dimensional flow, with the obstruction uniquely characterized by its size. Hemodynamics of complete circulation is simulated according to the lumped parameter approach. The case of a 2 years-old baby is reproduced, with the occlusion placed in either the R/ or the L/VOT. Conditions from wide open to almost complete obstruction are reproduced.

RESULTS

Both R/LVOT obstruction in the in-silico model resulted in an increased pressure gradient and a decreased cardiac output, proportional to the severity of the VOT obstruction and dependent on the R/L location of the obstruction itself, as it is clinically observed.

CONCLUSION

The in-silico model of ventricular obstruction which simulates pressure gradient and/or cardiac output agrees with clinical data, and is a first step towards the creation of a tool that can support the clinical management of patients from diagnosis to surgical treatments.

Clinical, cellular, and molecular characterisation of cardiac rhabdomyoma in tuberous sclerosis

BACKGROUND

Rhabdomyoma is the most common cardiac tumour in children. It is usually associated with tuberous sclerosis complex caused by mutations in TSC-1 or TSC-2 genes. This tumour typically regresses by unknown mechanisms; however, it may cause inflow or outflow obstruction that necessitates urgent surgery. Here we investigate the clinical features and the genetic analysis of patients with tuberous sclerosis complex presenting with large rhabdomyoma tumours. We also investigate the potential role of autophagy and apoptosis in the pathogenesis of this tumour.

METHODS

All the patients with cardiac rhabdomyoma referred to Aswan Heart Centre from 2010 to 2018 were included in this study. Sanger sequencing was performed for coding exons and the flanking intronic regions of TSC1 and TSC2 genes. Histopathological evaluation, immunohistochemistry, and western blotting were performed with P62, LC3b, caspase3, and caspase7, to evaluate autophagic and apoptotic signaling.

RESULTS

Five patients were included and had the clinical features of tuberous sclerosis complex. Three patients, who were having obstructive tumours, were found to have pathogenic mutations in TSC-2. The expression of two autophagic markers, P62 and LC3b, and two apoptotic markers, caspase3 and caspase7, were increased in the tumour cells compared to normal surrounding myocardial tissue.

CONCLUSION

All the patients with rhabdomyoma were diagnosed to have tuberous sclerosis complex. The patients who had pathogenic mutations in the TSC-2 gene had a severe disease form necessitating urgent intervention. We also demonstrate the potential role of autophagy and apoptosis as a possible mechanism for tumourigenesis and regression. Future studies will help in designing personalised treatment for cardiac rhabdomyoma.

Multiple cardiac rhabdomyomas not associated with tuberous sclerosis in a dizygotic twins: a case report

Background

Rhabdomyomas comprise the majority of cardiac tumors in fetuses and are found in association with tuberous sclerosis complex. More than 90% of fetuses and neonates with multiple cardiac rhabdomyomas have signs of tuberous sclerosis complex. However, solitary cardiac rhabdomyoma cases are largely unrelated to tuberous sclerosis complex. Here, we report a case involving multiple cardiac rhabdomyomas not associated with tuberous sclerosis complex in a dizygotic twin.

Case presentation

A 36-year-old Japanese woman was diagnosed with a dizygotic twin pregnancy in the first trimester. Consistent with dizygosity, the fetal sex was discordant (male and female). At 27 weeks of gestation, hydrops and multiple echogenic cardiac masses were noted in the male baby, with the largest mass measuring 34 × 30 mm. The female fetus appeared normal. The cardiac masses enlarged gradually with the progression of the hydrops. At 32 weeks of gestation, intrauterine death of the male fetus was confirmed. The next day, autopsy of the male fetus was performed after cesarean section. Three well-demarcated white-tan-colored nodules were formed in the ventricular walls and interventricular septum, with the largest nodule (40 × 30 mm) in the left ventricular wall. Histologically, these lesions were diagnosed as rhabdomyomas.

Conclusions

We encountered a case involving multiple cardiac rhabdomyomas arising in one of dizygotic twin fetuses. Unlike most reported cases of multiple cardiac rhabdomyomas, this case was not accompanied by tuberous sclerosis complex. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report of multiple cardiac rhabdomyomas that developed in only one of dizygotic twins in the English literature.

Case report: surgical resection of right ventricular cardiac fibroma in an adult patient

Background

Cardiac fibromas are rare benign cardiac neoplasms, most frequently occurring in the pediatric population; with very rare cases identified in adults. The tumors are comprised of spindled cells with myofibroblastic ultrastructural features embedded in generally collagenous and elastic stroma. The tumors are intramural in the ventricles, most commonly the left ventricle. Clinical symptoms vary by location and size of tumor and some are asymptomatic. Surgical resection is curative, but rare cases require cardiac transplantation.

Case presentation

We report an asymptomatic, large, right ventricular fibroma in a 64-year-old woman. The patient underwent open incisional tumor biopsy via lower hemi-sternotomy, followed by complete tumor resection via full sternotomy a week later after confirming the tumor is benign. The tumor was resected using cardiopulmonary bypass, and the defect of right ventricular free wall was repaired using a prosthetic double-patch technique. The postoperative course was uneventful. The patient was discharged to home on day 4 post-complete tumor resection.

Conclusion

This report expands the existing literature for better comprehension and detection of cardiac fibroma patients and also highlights the various imaging modalities, surgical management, and histological analysis.

Primary cardiac fibroma in infants: A case report and review of cases of cardiac fibroma managed through orthotopic heart transplant

Cardiac fibromas (CF) are the second most common cardiac tumors in children. They can be aggressive tumors despite their benign histopathologic nature, accounting for the highest mortality rate among primary cardiac tumors. CF usually show a progressive growth and spontaneous regression is rare. Therefore, a complete surgical excision is the preferred therapeutic approach when patients become symptomatic or if mass-related life-threatening complications are anticipated, even in asymptomatic patients. However, some cases are not good candidates for surgical excision due to the impossibility of preserving a normal cardiac anatomy or function after the tumor resection. Orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT) can be an exceptional but adequate alternative for some giant unresectable CF in children. In this article, we report our experience with the case of a 7-month-old infant with a giant unresectable cardiac fibroma who was successfully managed through OHT.

Clinical Treatment of Pediatric Primary Cardiac Tumors: A Single-Institute 12-Year Experience

BACKGROUND

Primary cardiac tumors in children are extremely rare. This study aimed to analyze clinical treatment and follow-up of pediatric primary cardiac tumors.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We performed a retrospective analysis by searching the medical records of 75 patients diagnosed with pediatric primary cardiac tumors from June 2005 to August 2017 in our institution. We followed operative patients every half year in the first postoperative year and then at least every year. If the patients had no serious symptoms or hemodynamic changes, they received nonoperative management and were followed regularly every year.

RESULTS

Nineteen patients underwent surgery at our department for serious symptoms and critical hemodynamic changes. Four patients had postoperative complications. Two died of low cardiac output syndrome and arrhythmia after surgery. One patient with myxomas had tumor recurrence and one had been found of another rhabdomyoma after surgery. The other 14 patients recovered well. Fifty-six patients had nonoperative management. Four were lost in follow-up. Two patients with malignant tumors died of unknown causes after discharge. The remaining patients had no severe symptoms or tumor growth during follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Clinical treatment of pediatric primary cardiac tumors should be performed individually. Most pediatric primary cardiac tumors are benign, and spontaneous regression is possible, especially for rhabdomyomas. The principle purpose of surgical treatment is to restore normal hemodynamics and protect important structures and cardiac tissue.

Cardiac Hemangioma in an Asymptomatic Teenager with a History of Congenital Heart Disease

• Cardiac hemangiomas constitute <10% of all pediatric cardiac tumors. • More than two thirds of patients with cardiac masses may present with symptoms. • Association between congenital heart disease and heart tumors is very uncommon. • Echocardiography is the first-line imaging modality for identifying cardiac masses. • CMR is an excellent imaging technique for cardiac tumor characterization.

Echocardiography and Newer Imaging Techniques in Diagnosis and Long-Term Follow-Up of Primary Heart Tumors in Children

Background: Primary heart tumors (PHTs) in the pediatric population are very rare and do not manifest any characteristic symptoms. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 61 cases was undertaken. Data from three centers for the years 2003–2018 were gathered. The tumors’ clinical course, location, number, hemodynamic, treatment, and follow-up were evaluated. Echocardiography was complemented with magnetic resonance imaging, computer tomography, and histopathological examination. Results: Out of 61 PHT diagnoses, 56 (91.8%) were circumstantial including all 16 (26.2%) prenatal tumors. The reasons for cardiological consultations were arrhythmia, syncopes, lowered physical performance, and murmurs. Only five patients (8.2%) were suspected of tumors based on previous symptoms of sclerosis tuberosa. Rhabdomyoma was the most frequently found PHT (60.7%). The tumors were predominantly located in the ventricles (49.1%) and intraventricular septum (14.9%) and tended to be single (70.5%). About 37.7% of patients suffered from coexistent multi-organ problems, two (3.28%) from congenital heart defects and one (1.64%) from Carney’s syndrome. Tumor resection was performed on 26 (42.7%) patients, of which 16 (61.5%) underwent total and 10 (38.5%) partial tumor resection. During the follow-up (mean 4.3 years), 54 patients (88.5%) have improved or were stable, while seven (11.5%) died. Conclusions: Primary pediatric heart tumors are diagnosed completely circumstantially, and the most common is rhabdomyoma, although arrhythmia may suggest fibroma. Diagnosis of a heart tumor in children is not synonymous with fatal prognosis, and most of them require only constant observation. Life-saving operation allows improvement, while the prognosis for malignant tumors in children is definitely unfavorable.

Surgical results and pathological analysis of cardiac fibroma in the adolescent and the adult

BACKGROUNDS

Disparities may exist between the adolescent and the adult patients with cardiac fibromas in the symptoms, surgical outcomes, and pathological characteristics. The aim of this study was to compare short and midterm surgical outcomes of cardiac fibromas and to compare the biomarker expressions of tumor tissue samples between the adult and the adolescent.

METHODS

Consecutive patients with the diagnosis of cardiac fibroma were admitted and received surgeries. Primary outcomes included in-hospital mortality, low cardiac output, and readmission due to heart failure. The expression of PCNA and Ki67, two widely adopted indicators of cell proliferation, were evaluated in tissue samples.

RESULTS

A total of five adolescent patients and five adult patients diagnosed as cardiac fibroma were admitted and given surgeries. When compare with the adults, the adolescent patients were more likely to present symptoms on admission (P = .048). Postoperative low cardiac output syndrome was significantly higher in the adolescents than in the adults (80.0% vs 0.0, P = .048). The tumor volume relative to ventricular end diastolic diameter had good discriminative ability for low cardiac output (c statistics: 0.96). Pathologically, the percentage of PCNA-positive cell nuclei was significantly higher in the adolescents than in the adults (36.04% ± 10.54% vs 4.15% ± 3.93%, P = .001). However, there were no Ki67-positive nuclei in the 10 cases.

CONCLUSIONS

In the current study, we found that postoperative low cardiac output was more likely to occur in the adolescent patients than in the adult patients. When compared with the adult patients, significantly more PCNA-positive nuclei were observed in the adolescents.

Cardiac tumors prevalence and mortality: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

Cardiac tumors and their associated outcomes are poorly characterized. This study sought to comprehensively assess the epidemiology and natural history of primary and secondary malignant cardiac tumors (PMCT and SMCT), a well as establish predictors of mortality.

METHODS

A comprehensive literature review was performed to identify articles reporting on PMCTs and SMCTs. The prevalence of important cardiac tumor (CT) subtypes was evaluated and further stratified based on the continental region. Outcomes of interest included short- and long-term mortality and utilization of heart transplantation (HTX). A random effect model was adopted, and a meta-regression was performed to determine predictors of the prevalence of CTs as well as predictors of operative mortality.

RESULTS

Of the 1,226 retrieved articles, 74 were included in our study (n = 8,849 patients). The mean follow-up was 2.27 years, mean age was 42.9 years, and 55% of the patients were females. There was a total number of 7,484 benign primary cardiac tumors (PCTs) (5,140 were myxoma), 862 (9.7%) malignant PCTs, and 355 secondary cardiac tumors. The prevalence of PMCTs among PCTs was 10.83% [95%CI = 09.11; 12.83%] with a trend towards being lower in South America compared to other continents (Prevalence = 5.80%). The prevalence of HTX among all patients was 2.45% [1.36; 4.38%]. The pooled short-term mortality was 5.90% [4.70; 7.39%] and the incidence of late mortality in all CTs, benign CT and PMCTs was 2.55% [1.76; 3.72%], 0.79% [0.46; 1.37%] and 14.77% [9.32; 23.40%], respectively. On meta-regression, the annual volume of cardiac tumor cases per center was the only predictor of lower early mortality (Beta = -0.14 ± 0.03, P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

PMCTs represent the minority of PCT (~10%) and have a higher prevalence in Europe and North America. Survival is higher in benign pathology and is significantly improved by treatment in specialized high-volume centers. Approximately 2% of patients with CTs undergo heart transplantation.

Surgical treatment of cardiac fibroma in a child with left ventricular noncompaction

Surgical treatment of cardiac fibroma is rare in patients with left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC). Although several case reports regarding cardiac fibroma have been published, resection in a patient with LVNC has not been described. Here, we describe the surgical treatment of left ventricular fibroma in a child with LVNC. We resected a cardiac fibroma in a 10-year-old boy with LVNC to control ventricular arrhythmia. Partial resection with careful tumor dissection was performed to avoid endocardial damage and entering the ventricular cavity. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient remains asymptomatic without heart failure or arrhythmia. Surgical excision of cardiac fibroma can be performed safely with excellent results, even in a child with LVNC.

Successful treatment of cardiac haemangiomas with oral propranolol: a case series of two patients

BACKGROUND

Cardiac haemangiomas are extremely rare tumours with equivocal surgical outcomes. Haemangiomas appearing on other sites of the body have been successfully treated with oral propranolol. To the best of our knowledge, such treatment has not been tried to date for cardiac location of haemangiomas.

CASE SUMMARY

We report two cases of neonatal cardiac haemangiomas, and we describe their presentation and characteristics, as well as how these were successfully treated with oral propranolol, with complete regression of the tumours within the 1st year of life.

DISCUSSION

Despite the rarity of cardiac haemangiomas, their presentation and complications could be dramatic with side-effects spanning from intracardiac space occupying phenomena to Kasabach-Merritt syndrome. Propranolol therapy, having been established for long now in the treatment of skin haemangiomas, should also be considered in cases of cardiac haemangiomas, particularly in the neonatal and infantile population.

Elimination of arrhythmogenesis after subtotal resection of congenital cardiac fibroma: a case report

Subtotal tumour resection is used to treat infants with congenital cardiac fibroma and medication-resistant ventricular arrhythmias; however, complete elimination of arrhythmogenic substrates has been unclear. A 4-month-old male infant with congenital cardiac fibroma and ventricular fibrillation underwent subtotal tumour resection and implantable cardioverter-defibrillator implantation. Five years later, angiography revealed impending compression of the left coronary artery. Elimination of the arrhythmogenic substrate was confirmed and the device was removed successfully.

Perioperative management of critical right ventricular inflow obstruction from right atrial rhabdomyoma

Rhabdomyoma is the most common cardiac tumor in infancy and commonly located in the ventricles causing outflow obstruction or arrhythmias. We report a rare pediatric (7 month old) case of a right atrial rhabdomyoma presenting with severe cyanosis and low cardiac output from significant tricuspid inflow obstruction with right to left shunt across a stretched patent foramen ovale. We present an emergency cardiac surgery for right atrial tumor resection, and the management of separating the patient with failing right ventricle from cardiopulmonary bypass using a Glenn shunt, since extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) or nitric oxide was not available.

Perinatal unusual rhabdomyoma location - case report and systematic reviews of the literature

Objective: To report a case of prenatal diagnosis of cardiac rhabdomyoma (CR) and neonatal surgical treatment as well as undertaking a systematic review of the literature to determine most frequent localization of CR, common signs and symptoms, associated pathologies, incidence of surgery, and prognoses for CR.Methods: We conducted systematic review of the literature on CR that were diagnosed and treated in the perinatal period, searching for English language articles in the PubMed/Medline database that were published within the past 20 years, using the following search terms: "cardiac rhabdomyoma"; "neonates"; "newborn"; "surgery".Results: Eighty-two studies were selected, but only 46 studies met the inclusion criteria. After birth, the majority of newborns were asymptomatic; however, murmurs and arrhythmia were also the two most prevalent signs of CR. The most prevalent location was the ventricles, corresponding to 40.3% of all cases, with 53% of these having a rhabdomyoma in the left ventricle. The incidence of multiple tumors was 56%, and in those cases the location of tumors was also most common in the ventricles. Tuberous sclerosis was the most commonly associated pathology, being present in 72% of cases of CR. Surgical treatment occurred in 27% of cases, and 3% of cases required surgery and prostaglandin. Regarding the perinatal outcome, 6% of cases resulted in fetal or neonatal death.Conclusion: CR are benign tumors which tend to spontaneously regress during early childhood but may have unfavorable outcomes in the presence of obstructive lesions and arrhythmias. Surgery is generally necessary in symptomatic patients.

A Venous Malformation: An Unusual Primary Cardiac Tumor in Children

This case report describes a primary cardiac tumor, classified as venous malformation, diagnosed in an asymptomatic child. The tumor was located in the left atrium near the mitral valve without affecting the mitral valve's functioning. Complete resection of the lesion was performed because of the risk of systemic embolism. The lesion consisted of fibrous tissue with multiple venous vascular channels. The patient did not have similar lesions in other locations. Vascular primary cardiac tumors are extremely rare. Hemangiomas and lymphangiomas have been described previously, but to our knowledge, this is the first primary cardiac tumor identified as a venous malformation.

Outcomes After Surgical Resection of Primary Non-Myxoma Cardiac Tumors

Objective

Primary cardiac tumors are rare lesions with different histological type. We reviewed our 17 years of experience in the surgical treatment and clinical results of primary non-myxoma cardiac tumors.

Methods

Between July 2000 and February 2017, 21 patients with primary cardiac tumor were surgically treated in our institution. The tumors were categorized as benign non-myxomas and malignants. Data including the demographic characteristics, details of the tumor histology and grading, cardiac medical and surgical history, surgical procedure of the patients were obtained from the hospital database.

Results

Eleven patients were diagnosed with benign non-myxoma tumor (male/female:7/4), ranging in age from 10 days to 74 years (mean age 30.9±26.5 years). Papillary fibroelastoma was the most frequent type (63.6%). There were two early deaths in benign group (all were rhabdomyoma), and mortality rate was 18%. The mean follow-up period was 69.3±58.7 months (range, 3 to 178 months). All survivals in benign group were free of tumor-related symptoms and tumor relapses. Ten patients were diagnosed with malignant tumor (sarcoma/lymphoma:8/2, male/female:3/7), ranging in age from 14 years to 73 years (mean age 44.7±18.9 years). Total resection could be done in only three (30%) patients. The mean follow-up period was 18.7±24.8 months (range, 0-78 months). Six patients died in the first 10 months.

Conclusion

Complete resection of the cardiac tumors, whenever possible, is the main goal of surgery. Surgical resection of benign cardiac tumors is safe, usually curative and provides excellent long-term prognosis. On the contrary, malignant cardiac tumors still remain highly lethal.

Elimination of arrhythmogenesis after subtotal resection of congenital cardiac fibroma: a case report

Subtotal tumour resection is used to treat infants with congenital cardiac fibroma and medication-resistant ventricular arrhythmias; however, complete elimination of arrhythmogenic substrates has been unclear. A 4-month-old male infant with congenital cardiac fibroma and ventricular fibrillation underwent subtotal tumour resection and implantable cardioverter-defibrillator implantation. Five years later, angiography revealed impending compression of the left coronary artery. Elimination of the arrhythmogenic substrate was confirmed and the device was removed successfully.

Giant Intrapericardial Myxoma Adjacent to the Left Main Coronary Artery

A 62-years-old woman was admitted to the hospital because of chronic cough, expectoration of thick mucus, hoarseness and tightness in the precordial area. Computed Tomography (CT) examination revealed the presence of a giant intrapericardial tumor with the dimensions of 80 × 38 × 32 mm. It was located anteriorly and laterally to the left atrium, posteriorly to the pulmonary trunk and the ascending aorta. This hypodense change modeled the left atrium without evidence of invasion. CT coronary angiography and 3-dimensional reconstruction were applied to enable precise planning of cardiac surgery. CT evaluation confirmed that it is possible to remove the tumor without damage to the adjacent left main coronary artery. The patient underwent cardiac surgery with sternotomy and cardiopulmonary bypass. A cohesive, smooth, vascularized tumor pedunculated to the left atrial epicardium was visualized. The location and dimensions corresponded to those determined by CT scan examination. The entire tumor was successfully dissected together with adjacent adipose and fibrous tissue. Histological evaluation revealed the presence of myxoid cells, blood vessels, degenerative changes, and microcalcifications embedded in profuse hyalinized stroma. Those histological features enabled identification of the intrapericardial tumor as a myxoma. Follow-up CT examination did not demonstrate any signs of recurrence of the myxoma. According to our knowledge, a myxoma located inside the pericardial sac has never been described before.

Diagnosis of tuberous sclerosis complex in the fetus

Tuberous sclerosis complex is a dominantly inherited genetic disorder of striking clinical variability. It is caused by mutations in either TSC1 or TSC2 gene, which regulate cell growth and proliferation by inhibition of mTORC1 signaling. TS is characterized by the development of benign tumors in many tissues and organs and its neurological manifestations include epilepsy, autism, cognitive and behavioral dysfunction, and giant cell tumors. With mechanism-based mTOR inhibitors therapy now available for many of its manifestations, early diagnosis of TSC is very important in order to offer appropriate care, long-term surveillance and parental counseling. Fetal ultrasound and MRI imaging techniques have evolved and may capture even earlier the following TSC-associated lesions: cardiac rhabdomyomas, subependymal nodules, cortical tubers and renal cysts. Often these represent an incidental finding during a routine ultrasound. Furthermore, in the past decades prenatal molecular diagnosis of TSC has emerged as an important option for families with a known affected member; however, the existing evidence with regards to the clinical characteristics and long-term outcome of babies diagnosed prenatally with TSC is yet limited and the path that follows early TSC detection merits further research.

Recurrent Cardiac Myxoma Treated by Orthotopic Heart Transplantation: A Case Report and Literature Review of Heart Transplantation for Primary Cardiac Tumor

Primary cardiac myxoma is the most common primary cardiac tumor. Tumor resection is the treatment of choice and overall long-term prognosis is good and recurrence is rare. This report presents a case of a young girl who presented with multiple recurrent cardiac myxoma. She underwent 3 sternotomy surgeries of 3 separated episodes of cardiac myxoma resection. On the fourth recurrence, the patient underwent orthotopic heart transplant. The patient tolerated the procedure well and is alive 6 months after the procedure with NYHA class I. We reviewed evidences and summarized reported cases of orthotopic heart transplant operation for primary cardiac tumor in the literature.

Giant congenital right atrial epithelioid-capillary hemangioma with prolonged QT interval: Case report and practical surgical treatment strategy for primary cardiac tumors in children based on 25-year review of 299 cases

Cardiac hemangioma is very rare and accounts for 2%-3% of the primary cardiac tumors. Cardiac epitheloid-capillary hemangioma has not been reported in the pediatric population so far. We report the fatal outcome of a preterm neonate with a huge congenital right atrial epitheloid-capillary hemangioma and elevated serum alpha-fetoprotein, associated with prolonged QT interval. We describe the echocardiographic, computed tomographic (CT) imaging, microscopic and immunohistochemical features of the tumor. Complete resection of the tumor was done at operation necessitating extensive reconstruction of atrial walls. Intramural infiltration of this tumor into the surrounding myocardial walls is a challenging characteristic of cardiac hemangioma. The temptation to complete resection should be avoided in the setting of extensive intramural infiltration and entrapment of the tumoral cells into atrial walls, particularly in a preterm neonate. None of the current classifications for hemangioma was inclusive of our case. Based on a concise literature review of nine published classification systems from 1996 to 2017 , we discuss the shortcomings of the current classifications for hemangioma. We also performed a 25-year-review of 299 cases of primary cardiac tumors in neonates and children, from 1993 to May 2018. We suggest a stepwise surgical treatment strategy according to the characteristics of the patient and of the tumor, based on this review. The stepwise strategy includes watchful observation, partial resection, complete resection and cardiac transplantation.

Prevalence of primary cardiac tumor malignancies in retrospective studies over six decades: a systematic review and meta-analysis

The incidence of patients diagnosed with primary malignant cardiac tumors (PMCTs) has increased greatly in the past few decades. Whether this rising prevalence is due to overdiagnosis or an increased malignancy rate of primary cardiac tumors (PCTs) remains unclear. Therefore, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of published retrospective studies to determine whether the malignancy rate has been increasing over time. Published studies containing relevant data between 1956 and 2014 were evaluated. Two authors searched for all retrospective studies that included patients diagnosed with PCT and PMCT. Two other investigators independently extracted the data, and discrepancies were resolved by consensus. A random-effects meta-analysis model and cumulative meta-analysis model were used to evaluate the pooled prevalence and trend of dynamic change in PCT malignancies. The effects of time, study period and sample size were studied using a logit-linear regression model with robust error variance and a time variable. Thirty-eight studies involving 5,586 patients were analyzed. The pooled prevalence of PMCT among the patients diagnosed with PCT was 9.9% (95% CI, 8.4% to 11.4%) (I²=70%; P< 0.001), and this prevalence has been stable since around 2003. In the regression model, the malignancy odds ratio remained stable from 1975 onward, and no time effect was observed. Our study confirms that PMCT is uncommon, and the prevalence of PCT malignancies remained stable in the past few decades. The clinically observed increase in incidence is unlikely to reflect a true population-level increase in tumorigenesis. This result strongly suggests that the observed increase in incidence of PMCT most likely reflects increased diagnostic detection over time.

Management of Complications Caused by a Massive Left Ventricle Tumor in a Neonate

We report the case of a neonate born with a giant fibroma occupying the entirety of her left ventricle. Owing to the extensive resection, her postoperative course was complicated by severely diminished left ventricular function and complete heart block necessitating extracorporeal support. Ultimately, cardiac resynchronization therapy was used, after which the infant's ventricular function gradually improved and she was successfully discharged to home.

"Chorea": A Unique Presentation of Left Atrial Myxoma in a Pediatric Patient

We report an unusual presentation of a large left atrial myxoma in an eight-year-old girl who presented with the sudden onset of chorea. This case illustrates the fact that the presentation of chorea in nonendemic areas for rheumatic fever should raise suspicion for a myxoma. The chorea resolved soon after removal of the myxoma, supporting the hypothesis of an immune-mediated mechanism, or manifestation of paraneoplastic syndrome secondary to the myxoma.

Surgical resection of giant left ventricular fibromas in children

Primary cardiac tumors in infancy and childhood are rare and usually benign. We report two children with giant left ventricular fibromas and discuss their surgical management.

Cardiac Tumors in Pediatric Patients: A Systematic Review

This systematic review sought to investigate the current evidence regarding surgical management of primary cardiac tumors in children and adolescents. Twenty-eight studies were deemed eligible, reporting on 745 pediatric patients. Rhabdomyoma was the most prevalent histologic type and echocardiography was the most common diagnostic tool. Cumulative 30-day mortality rate was 6.7%. Rhabdomyomas and teratomas had the highest 30-day mortality. The higher percentage of tumor relapse was noted for myxoma and teratoma. Although cardiac tumors are rare, their atypical clinical presentation, potential for recurrence, and the poor prognosis associated with recurrence elucidate the need for reliable diagnostic and therapeutic management.

Cardiac haemangioma associated with a duct-dependent congenital heart disease in a newborn infant

Cardiac haemangiomas are exceedingly rare; however, they can cause significant haemodynamic impairment and disturbances in heart rhythm. Rarely, cardiac tumours may also coexist with congenital heart lesions. We present an extremely unusual case of a cardiac haemangioma in the setting of complex transposition of the great arteries that caused functional tricuspid atresia. To our knowledge, this is the first such case described in the literature.

Fetal Primary Cardiac Tumors During Perinatal Period

Fetal primary cardiac tumors are rare, but they may cause complications, which are sometimes life threatening, including arrhythmias, hydrops fetalis, ventricular outflow/inflow obstruction, cardiac failure, and even sudden death. Among fetal primary cardiac tumors, rhabdomyomas are most common, followed by teratomas, fibromas, hemangiomas, and myxomas. Everolimus, a mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor, has been reported to be an effective drug to cause tumor remission in three neonates with multiple cardiac rhabdomyomas. Neonatal cardiac surgery for the resection of primary cardiac tumors found by fetal echocardiography has been reported sporadically. However, open fetal surgery for pericardial teratoma resection, which was performed successfully via a fetal median sternotomy in one case report, could be a promising intervention to rescue these patients with large pericardial effusions. These recent achievements undoubtedly encourage further development in early management of fetal cardiac tumors. Owing to the rarity of fetal primary cardiac tumors, relevant information in terms of prenatal diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis remains to be clarified.

Surgical resection of right ventricular rhabdomyoma under the guidance of transesophageal echocardiography on a beating heart

Cardiac rhabdomyoma, a type of benign myocardial tumor, is regarded as the most common fetal cardiac tumor. Rhabdomyomas are usually found before birth or during the first year of life. It is widely accepted that rhabdomyomas are strongly associated with tuberous sclerosis, and tend to regress spontaneously without surgical excision. However, if the tumor has caused significant obstruction or refractory arrhythmias, the surgery should be advocated. Most of the surgeries for pediatric cardiac tumors are performed under cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) with cardioplegia. Here, we present a case of successful resection of a right ventricular rhabdomyoma obstructing the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) and involving pulmonary valve annulus in an infant, performed under the guidance of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) on a beating heart.

Usefulness of CHA2DS2-VASc Scoring Systems for Predicting Risk of Perioperative Embolism in Patients of Cardiac Myxomas Underwent Surgical Treatment

Cardiac myxomas are rare but manifested with risk of embolism and often cause unexpected symptoms or sudden death. We retrospectively collected the medical records of patients diagnosed of cardiac myxomas at the cardiac center of our university. Overall 465 patients were included in this study, patients in the embolism group had significantly higher CHA₂DS₂-VASc scores (P = 0.005). In embolic group, stroke was recorded in 110 (77.14%) patients, while embolic events in the limbs were observed in 10 (2.15%) and 9(1.93%) developed splenic infarction. Patients in embolism group had older age (P = 0.021) and higher BMI (P  <0.001) than those in non-embolism group. There was no significant difference between two groups in terms of time of mechanical ventilation (P = 0.065), ICU stay (P = 0.053), hospital stay (P = 0.071) and volume of drainage (P = 0.083), blood transfusions (P = 0.060) except that patients with embolic events had significantly higher incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation (P = 0.032) and lower survival rate (P < 0.001). Furthermore, the CHA₂DS₂-VASc score was a significant predictor of embolism in patients with cardiac myxomas (P = 0.015; P = 0.003) and the Kaplan-Meier analysis obtained a higher rate of embolism in patients with higher stratification of CHA₂DS₂-VASc scores (P = 0.002). In conclusion, CHA₂DS₂-VASc scoring scheme was strongly predictive of stroke and embolic events in patients with cardiac myxomas.

Rescue surgery for neonate with huge rhabdomyoma and left outflow obstruction

We describe a rescue operation in a neonate with a large left ventricular tumor obstructing the left ventricular outflow tract. Surgical resection was performed through an aortotomy and transseptal approach. We excised the main part of the tumor, which was obstructing the outflow tract, leaving a portion that was strongly attached to posterior wall of the left ventricle and mitral valve annulus, which was not feasible to remove. Histological examination showed a rhabdomyoma with benign features. The girl was doing well after 3 months, with no residual tumor growth and no signs of obstruction of the left ventricular outflow tract.

Pediatric heart transplant for unresectable primary cardiac tumor

Surgery for primary cardiac tumors in children includes complete resection, partial resection, and cardiac transplantation. A pediatric heart transplant in this setting is associated with significantly higher mortality and poorer long-term outcome, and it is reserved for unresectable tumors. We recently performed an emergency pediatric heart transplant in a 7-year-old boy with an unresectable cardiac fibroma in the left ventricle.

Atrial Rhabdomyoma Resection With Extracellular Matrix Reconstruction of the Right Atrial Free Wall in an Infant

A neonate was diagnosed with a mediastinal mass after presenting with bradycardia. At surgery, she was found to have a 4-cm mass replacing most of the right atrial free wall. After tumor resection, the right atrium was reconstructed with an extracellular matrix biomaterial that supports native tissue regeneration. Her pathology revealed rhabdomyoma, which is rare in patients without tuberous sclerosis. The procedure was well tolerated but was complicated by narrowing of the superior vena cava that required dilation postoperatively.