# Mitral Papillary Fibroelastoma Revealed by Central Retinal Artery Occlusion

## TL;DR

A rare heart tumor was discovered in a patient who had a retinal artery blockage, showing the need to check the heart for possible causes of unexplained blood clots.

## Contribution

This case report emphasizes the importance of cardiac evaluation in unexplained embolic events, even when symptoms appear outside the heart.

## Key findings

- A patient with central retinal artery occlusion was found to have a mitral valve fibroelastoma via echocardiography.
- The case underscores the need for comprehensive cardiac assessment in unexplained embolic events.
- Surgical excision is a safe and effective treatment for preventing recurrence of fibroelastoma.

## Abstract

Papillary fibroelastoma (PFE) is a very rare benign primary cardiac tumor that preferentially affects heart valves and may lead to severe embolic events. Its diagnosis is now easily suggested by echocardiography, and surgical excision is a safe and effective treatment to prevent recurrence.

We report the case of a patient referred for the etiological evaluation of a central retinal artery occlusion, in whom transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) revealed a fibroelastoma located on the mitral valve. This case highlights the importance of a comprehensive cardiac evaluation in any unexplained embolic event, even when the initial presentation is extra-cardiac.