Carcinoid Heart Disease and a Primary Ovarian Carcinoid Tumor
Introduction
Primary ovarian carcinoid tumors account for less than 0.5%
of all carcinoid tumors [1]. Patients with primary ovarian carcinoid tumors may
develop carcinoid heart disease by release of bioactive amines directly into
the inferior vena cava or renal vein. Carcinoid syndrome is characterized by
flushing, secretory diarrhea and bronchospasm. Half of patients with carcinoid
syndrome exhibit carcinoid heart disease with subsequent right-sided valvular
dysfunction and right ventricular failure [1]. Valve replacement is performed
to relieve symptoms and improve survival [2]. The authors describe a procedure
performed for a 55-year-old woman who presented with carcinoid heart disease
from a primary ovarian carcinoid tumor. She underwent pulmonary and tricuspid
valve replacements and patch enlargement of the right ventricular outflow
tract.
Case Report
A 55-year-old woman presented with worsening dyspnea on
exertion, flushing, and lower extremity edema. Auscultation revealed a
holosystolic murmur at the left lower parasternal border. Chromogranin A and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic
acid levels were elevated. Transesophageal echocardiography demonstrated severe
tricuspid and pulmonary regurgitation. The tricuspid valve leaflets were
thickened and severely restricted with failure of coaptation and visible
plaques. There was also a mixed pattern of pulmonary regurgitation and
stenosis. Computed tomography and octreotide scans demonstrated an 8.2 x 7 x
4.3 cm solid enhancing mass emanating from the right pelvis. Carcinoid heart
disease arising from a primary ovarian carcinoid tumor was suspected. Because
of the severity of the patient’s symptoms, a decision was made to replace her
tricuspid and pulmonary valves.
Intravenous infusion of octreotide was initiated the day of the operation and
continued postoperatively for 48 hours. The pulmonary valve was approached
through a longitudinal incision made across the valve annulus onto the outflow
portion of the right ventricle. White plaques were adherent to the fibrotic
pulmonary valve leaflets. Chordae were also fused and deformed. A patch
enlargement of the right ventricular outflow tract was performed to accommodate
an adequately sized pericardial valve (Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, CA, USA).
Through a right atriotomy, the tricuspid valve was exposed. Fibrosis and fusion
of the tricuspid valve leaflets and subvalvular apparatus were noted. The
leaflets were excised and the tricuspid valve was replaced with a porcine valve
(Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN, USA). The patient was discharged on postoperative
day 10 on monthly long-acting octreotide therapy.
The patient underwent total laparoscopic hysterectomy and bilateral
salpingo-oophorectomy three months later. Pathology revealed a
well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumor of the right ovary. At the time of
writing, the patient was alive without evidence of disease and normal tumor
marker levels.
Comment
The incidence of valvular heart disease approaches 30% in cases
of primary ovarian carcinoid tumors. Elevated bioactive amine levels released
from carcinoid tumors promote severe endocardial plaque formation that most
commonly result in right-sided valve destruction and ensuing right-sided heart
failure [1]. Right ventricular failure
is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with carcinoid heart
disease [3-5]. It has been recommended that patients with even mild symptoms
undergo valve surgery to prevent progression of right ventricular dysfunction.
Although operative mortality approaches 20%, valve replacement results in
improved midterm outcomes [2]. Traditionally, mechanical prostheses have been
favored secondary to potential valve degeneration from high circulating
serotonin [2, 3]. Nonetheless, contemporary data suggest bioprosthetic valves
are durable and avoid the higher risks of thrombosis and bleeding associated
with mechanical prostheses [2].
Primary ovarian carcinoid tumor with carcinoid heart disease should be
considered in a symptomatic female patient with a pelvic tumor, isolated
right-sided valve disease, and elevated tumor markers. Surgery is necessary to
provide long-term functional improvement and prolonged survival.
References
1. Chaowalit N, Connolly HM, Schaff HV, Webb MJ, Pellikka PA. Carcinoid heart disease associated with primary ovarian carcinoid tumor. Am J Cardiol. 2004;93(10):1314-1315.
2. Bhattacharyya S, Raja SG, Toumpanakis C, Caplin ME, Dreyfus GD, Davar J. Outcomes, risks and complications of cardiac surgery for carcinoid heart disease. Eur J Cardiothorac Surg. 2011;40(1):168-172.s
3. Castillo JG, Milla F, Adams DH. Surgical management of carcinoid heart valve disease. Semin Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2012;24(4):254-260.
4. Mokhles P, van Herwerden LA, de Jong PL, et al. Carcinoid heart disease: outcomes after surgical valve replacement. Eur J Cardiothorac Surg. 2011;41(6):1278-1283.
5. Pellikka PA, Tajik AJ, Khandheria BK, et al. Carcinoid heart disease. Clinical and echocardiographic spectrum in 74 patients. Circulation. 1993;87(4):1188-1196.