Papillary Fibroelastoma of the Endocardium

Overview

Six cases of papillary fibroelastoma of the endocardium were presented. All cases appeared asincidental findings at autopsy. Grossly, they were verrucous or tuft-like growths less than 1 cm insize on cardiac valves. Histologically, they consisted of a fibrocollagenous stalk and multiplepapillary fronds with typical zonal architecture: central dense hyaline core containing elasticfibers surrounded by a layer of myxoid matrix and covered by hyperplastic endothelial cells. Atthe surface of papillary fronds there were foci of fibrin deposition. Histogenesis of papillaryfibroelastomas is unclear, they are considered variously as primary benign tumours, hamartomasor organized thrombi.

Key words:
papillary fibroelastoma - endocardium