Cystic atrioventricular node tumor excision by minimally invasive surgery

Cystic tumor in the atrioventricular (AV) node region is a rare cardiac primary tumor that can lead to sudden death. Our patient was a 43-year-old woman who presented with dyspnea and a first-degree AV block seen on electrocardiography. Echocardiography revealed a cystic mass attached to the inferior portion of the interatrial septum. After surgical excision of the mass, placement of a permanent pacemaker was required for complete heart blockage. Histopathologic examination revealed the mass to be a cystic tumor of the AV node region. To our knowledge, this is the first report of this condition diagnosed ante mortem and treated successfully with minimally invasive surgery. © 2013 by The Society of Thoracic Published by Elsevier Inc.