[A papillary fibroelastoma of the left ventricule in the presence of a mitral valve prosthesis. A case report and review of the literature].

Papillary fibroelastoma is a rare, benign cardiac tumor. Before echocardiogram came into existence, it was diagnosed only by necropsy or incidentally at surgery. This kind of tumor may appear on the endocardial surface or in any of the valves. Although it is usually small in size, it is associated to embolic phenomena, thoracic pain and sudden death. This report presents the first case of papillary fibroelastoma in the presence of a mechanical valvular prosthesis in mitral position. In a patient 55 years old, presenting inactive rheumatic heart disease. The tumor was detected by means of transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiogram.