Successful Excision of a Left Ventricular Hamartoma

A case of a 2-year-old child with a large hamartoma of the left ventricular wall is presented. The excision of the tumor is described, and a 2-year follow-up is given. Primary cardiac tumors should be suspected in patients with unexplained cardiac failure, unexplained cardiac arrhythmias, intracardiac calcifications, irregular shadows on x-ray, or symptoms and murmurs that change with position. Angiocardiography is suggested for diagnosis. Technical problems at operation involve the maintenance of satisfactory cardiac function and valve competence.