[Resection under Endoscopic Guidance of Papillary Fibroelastoma in the Left Ventricular Outflow Tract:Report of a Case].

A 76-year-old man was admitted to our hospital for a thorough examination of a suspected cardiac tumor on transthoracic echocardiography. Transesophageal echocardiography demonstrated a 9.4×8.1 mm mobile stalk-like mass in the left ventricular outflow tract. A preoperative electrocardiogram revealed paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. Tumor resection and pulmonary vein isolation were performed to prevent embolism and confirm the diagnosis. The tumor was resected using an endoscope because it was difficult to evaluate the tumor under direct view from the aortic valve. Pathological diagnosis was cardiac papillary fibroelastoma. Postoperative echocardiography showed no residual tumor or aortic regurgitation. One year and eight months passed since the surgery, and no recurrence of the tumor was detected. In cases like this one, where direct observation of the tumor is difficult, we suggest that the use of an endoscope may be effective because it has the advantage of sharing information with other surgeons.