OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical characteristics of primary valve tumors and the late surgical results of their resection.

METHODSWe reviewed our clinical experience with the surgical treatment of ten primary valve tumors at Fuwai Hospital between November 1983 and November 2002.

RESULTSIn this series, cardiac valve tumors constituted 2.65% (10/378) of all primary cardiac tumors, and the incidence of primary valve tumors was roughly one in 4000 cardiac operations. There were 5 male and 5 female patients aged 2 to 66 years (mean age, 30 years). The clinical presentations included exertional dyspnea in 7 patients, neurological symptoms in 2, and cyanosis at rest in 1 patient. The diagnosis was established by preoperative echocardiography in 8 patients, and in the other 2, it was confirmed by the findings at operation. All of the tumors were resected. Eight of the ten tumors were benign, and two were malignant. All patients survived the operation and recovered eventfully. Late outcomes were known for all patients. There were three late deaths. One patient with a benign tricuspid valve died 2 months postoperatively of an electrolyte disorder. The other 2 patients with a malignant mitral valve tumor died within 1 year postoperatively. The 7 survivors, all with a benign valve tumor, were followed up for an average of 5.7 years (range, 8 months to 19 years), and all were in functional Class I. Exercise tolerance improved to normal levels. The latest follow-up echocardiography showed no evidences of the local recurrence in any patients.

CONCLUSIONExcellent early and late surgical results can be obtained in patients with benign valve tumors. The prognosis for the patients with a malignant valve tumor is poor.