Cardiovascular System Pathology Flashcards

A rounded, pedunculated mass on the atrial septum near the fossa ovalis composed of stellate cells in myxoid stroma is most likely a:

Answer: Myxoma

Myxoma, the most common primary adult cardiac tumor, typically arises in the left atrium near the fossa ovalis.

The most common primary cardiac tumor in children is:

Answer: Rhabdomyoma

Rhabdomyomas are the most common pediatric cardiac tumors and are associated with tuberous sclerosis.

A serous pericardial effusion with a 'bread-and-butter' fibrinous appearance is most characteristic of which process?

Answer: Fibrinous/uremic pericarditis

Fibrinous pericarditis, seen in uremia or post-MI, produces a rough bread-and-butter surface with a friction rub.

Rapid accumulation of blood in the pericardial sac causing impaired filling defines:

Answer: Cardiac tamponade

Cardiac tamponade occurs when pericardial fluid compresses the heart, limiting diastolic filling.

Which cardiac tumor is the most common overall, arising from spread of another malignancy?

Answer: Metastatic tumor to the heart

Metastases to the heart and pericardium are far more common than any primary cardiac tumor.

Sterile, small vegetations on the lines of valve closure in a debilitated cancer patient are termed:

Answer: Nonbacterial thrombotic (marantic) endocarditis

Marantic endocarditis produces small sterile fibrin thrombi on valve closure lines, often with hypercoagulable malignancy.

Verrucous, sterile vegetations on both surfaces of the valve leaflets in a lupus patient describe:

Answer: Libman-Sacks endocarditis

Libman-Sacks endocarditis of SLE produces small sterile vegetations on either or both leaflet surfaces.