Cardiac hemangiomas are rare tumors, the presence of these neoplasms in heart valves is an exceptional finding, mainly because of their histological features. Normally, transesophageal echocardiography is used to establish a diagnosis of cardiac tumor, though careful interpretation is needed to avoid diagnostic errors.

Herein is described an unusual presentation of a primary hemangioma of the mitral valve which was diagnosed as a prolapsing left atrial myxoma. The patient underwent successful surgical excision of the neoplasm, followed by mitral valve repair.

The Journal of Heart Valve Disease 2007;16:209-211