Cardiac Masses Discovered by Echocardiogram; What to Do Next?
Reto Kurmann, Edward El‐Am, Ali Ahmad, Muhannad Abbasi, Piotr Mazur, Elias Akiki, Vidhu Anand, Joerg Herrmann, Ana I. Casanegra, Phillip M. Young, Juan A. Crestanello, Melanie C. Bois, Joseph J. Maleszewski, Kyle W. Klarich
Abstract
Cardiac tumors are rare conditions, typically diagnosed on autopsy, but with the advancement of imaging techniques they are now encountered more frequently in clinical practice. Echocardiography is often the initial method of investigation for cardiac masses and provides a quick and valuable springboard for their characterization. While some cardiac masses can be readily identified by echocardiography alone, several require incorporation of multiple data points to reach diagnostic certainty. Herein, we will provide an overview of the main clinical, diagnostic, and therapeutic characteristics of cardiac masses within the framework of their location.