2024/10/29 by Francesco Angeli, Francesca Bodega, Luca Bergamaschi +23 · 1 voice
Medicine · #Cardiac tumors and thrombi #Cardiac Structural Anomalies and Repair #Cardiovascular Effects of Exercise
paper · doi:10.1016/j.jaccao.2024.09.006
openalex publication_date 2024/10/29 · openalex created_date 2024/10/30 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
Cardiac masses encompass a diverse range of benign and malignant tumors as well as pseudotumors. Accurate histologic identification is essential for guiding appropriate treatment, yet the diagnostic process remains challenging. Although biopsy is traditionally the diagnostic gold standard, its invasive nature and associated risks limit its application. A noninvasive multimodality imaging approach has recently emerged as an alternative, but standardized protocols and supporting evidence are still lacking. Echocardiography is typically the initial imaging modality, with cardiac magnetic resonance recognized as the noninvasive diagnostic gold standard. Cardiac computed tomography provides complementary data to aid in diagnosis and management, while positron emission tomography serves as a third-level imaging option. This state-of-the-art review highlights the role of current multimodality imaging techniques in diagnosing and managing cardiac masses and explores future directions for their applications.