Thoracic Aortic Atherosclerosis
Thoracic Aortic Atherosclerosis Allen P. Burke, M.D. Epidemiology and Risk Factors In developed countries, atherosclerosis occurs in virtually every aorta, beginning in the second to third decades, with more rapid…
Noninflammatory Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms and Dissections
Noninflammatory Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms and Dissections Allen P. Burke, M.D. Joseph J. Maleszewski, M.D. Terminology The term aneurysm refers to a dilatation of a structure beyond its expected borders. Thus,…
Pericardial Metastases
Pericardial Metastases Joseph J. Maleszewski, M.D. Allen P. Burke, M.D. Incidence and Histologic Types About 10% of all patients with advanced-stage cancer develop cardiac metastasis, with the majority (about 75%)…
Pericardial Mesothelioma
Pericardial Mesothelioma Allen P. Burke, M.D. Terminology Malignant mesotheliomas of the pericardium are malignant tumors derived from pericardial mesothelial cells and partly or completely encase the heart, with an absent…
Pericardial Cysts and Cystic Lesions
Pericardial Cysts and Cystic Lesions Allen P. Burke, M.D. Mesothelial (Pericardial) Cysts Mesothelial cysts account for ˜20% to 30% of mediastinal cysts. Bronchogenic cysts are more common, but are usually…
Cardiac Lymphomas, Histiocytic Proliferations, and Metastatic Tumors
Cardiac Lymphomas, Histiocytic Proliferations, and Metastatic Tumors Fabio R. Tavora, M.D., Ph.D. Allen P. Burke, M.D. Cardiac Lymphoma Incidence Primary cardiac lymphoma is rare, accounting for 1.3% of primary cardiac…
Sarcomas of the Heart and Great Vessels
Sarcomas of the Heart and Great Vessels Joseph J. Maleszewski, M.D. Allen P. Burke, M.D. Sarcomas of the Heart General Features Approximately 10% of primary cardiac tumors are malignant, and…
Miscellaneous Benign and Low-Grade Tumors
Miscellaneous Benign and Low-Grade Tumors Allen P. Burke, M.D. Fabio R. Tavora, M.D., Ph.D. Hemangioma Clinical Cardiac hemangiomas constitute fewer than 10% of benign cardiac tumors. Approximately 200 have been…
Papillary Fibroelastoma
Papillary Fibroelastoma Joseph J. Maleszewski, M.D. Allen P. Burke, M.D. Definition and Histogenesis Papillary fibroelastomas are benign endocardial growths that consist of arborizing, avascular, fibroelastotic fronds enveloped by endothelium. Their…
