Tumor Excision Versus Valve Replacement for Papillary Fibroelastoma Involving the Mitral Valve

We recently encountered a young man who had 3 strokes and a mass found by echocardiography on his mitral valve, which as a consequence was replaced. The tumor both grossly and histologically was a classic papillary fibroelastoma (PF). The patient's condition stimulated a discussion regarding whether excision of the PF or replacement of the valve containing it might be the preferred procedure. In an attempt to answer the question posed, patients previously reported in an English publication since the first mitral valve operation for PF involving an otherwise normal valve were reviewed. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]