Carcinoid Heart Disease

Carcinoid heart disease is a rare cardiovascular condition with high morbidity and mortality. A consequence of vasoactive peptides released by carcinoid tumors that result in plaque formation on the valve leaflets, carcinoid heart disease most often manifests with classic deformation of the tricuspid and pulmonic valves, along with symptoms of right heart failure. Treatment of carcinoid syndrome with somatostatin analogues and management of right heart failure are hallmarks of carcinoid heart disease management. Definitive treatment of carcinoid heart disease is surgical valve replacement which carries increased surgical risk but also offers better long-term survival. Percutaneous management of valve disease in carcinoid heart disease is an attractive option for patients who are too high risk for surgical repair and for those with bioprosthetic valve deterioration. In the following chapter, a comprehensive review of the current state of carcinoid heart disease is presented.