Abstract

Abstract Introduction Primary adipose cardiac tumors are divided into two different entities: lipomatous hypertrophy of the interatrial septum (LHIS) and lipomas. Lipomas are usually benign masses of unknown pathogenesis. Currently few cases are reported in literature, with no differences in gender distribution. Clinical Case A 63–year–old patient presented to our emergency room complaining chest pain and dyspnea on exercise. Her medical history shows severe obesity, hypertention, past surgical removal of several systemic lipomas (uterus lipoma, right ovary lipoma, right thigh and leg lipoma, right forearm and wrist lipoma). A coronary angiography was performed showing the lack of angiographically significant lesions. On suspicion of microvascular angina, she began therapy with Ranolazine and Beta–blockers. Echocardiographic examination showed a lipomatous interatrial septum in the postero–superior tract with a maximum of 22.5mm thickness (image 1). At 12 months, chest CT and MRI scan showed a hyperintense mass on interatrial septum measuring 32x34mm. The formation, mainly protruding in the right atrium, does not obstruct the outlet of the hollow veins, nor the outlet of the pulmonary veins. No hemodynamic compromise and compression were detected. Last follow–up visit our patient presented dyspnea and chest pain, the echocardiogram showed a slight increase of the mass size (see image), with unchanged thicknesses and biventricular pump function. Conclusions In literature there is no evidence of malignant transformation of cardiac lipomas, however well–differentiated cell tumors can coexist with liposarcomas. There are no guidelines for the treatment of cardiac lipomas, radical resection is practiced in the majority of symptomatic patients and should be considered in all patients with cardiac lipoma. Asymptomatic lipomas can excessively grow up and infiltrate into the myocardium, resulting in negative outcomes to a possible subsequent resection. According to the worsening of the clinical course, the patient under consideration was referred for lipoma resection surgery.

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