Masas cardiacas: diagnóstico, pronóstico y tratamiento

Abstract

Cardiac masses encompass a heterogeneous set of pathologies (benign tumors, malignant neoplasms and other entities such as thrombus or vegetations) with a diverse presentation (from asymptomatic cases in which the mass is discovered incidentally to limiting symptoms). An accurate diagnosis is essential in order to guide an individualized therapeutic plan. Evaluation based on multimodal imaging techniques plays a key role in this aspect as it allows a non-invasive and detailed study of each lesion, avoiding the need for a biopsy in many cases. Treatment of cardiac masses is individualized and depends on their nature, clinical impact and patient characteristics. The prognosis of non-tumoral pathology and benign neoplasms is favorable in the majority of patients. This is not the case, however, in malignancies: mortality rate is still very high despite advances in therapy.