An Unusual Cause of Right Heart Failure

Carcinoid syndrome is a paraneoplastic condition, which usually affects the lungs or gastrointestinal tract but uncommonly cardiac valves can be involved, causing carcinoid heart disease. We describe a case of a 60-year-old man presented with a twelve-month history of worsening shortness of breath and decreased exercise tolerance. Investigations confirmed grade 1 metastatic neuroendocrine carcinoma (carcinoid tumour) of likely gastrointestinal tract origin. Two months after diagnosis he underwent successful tricuspid valve replacement and pulmonary root replacement. Cytoreductive surgery of the right lobe of the liver and the ileal primary is planned. Cardiac surgery is the only definitive treatment for carcinoid heart disease and should be considered in all those with symptoms and evidence of severe valvular disease.