Three cases of cardiac hydatidosis: diagnosis, surgical treatment and complications

Three cases of cardiac hydatid disease from among the many cases of hydatidosis (>300) in various organs observed by the authors are reported. The sites of the cysts and the complications that arose are described. The first case developed hydatid pulmonary embolism caused by rupture into the right ventricular cavity, the second suffered peripheral hydatid embolism caused by rupture into the left ventricular cavity, and the third, whose diagnosis was fortuitous, had no complications. The first patient died shortly after admission. The other two underwent radical pericystectomy and partial pericystectomy with cardiopulmonary bypass. The best result was obtained in the third case where rupture had not occurred. The second patient recovered but developed hemiparesis. The various diagnostic tools available are discussed, as well as some technical aspects of pericystectomy, which has a high mortality rate. The importance of early diagnosis and treatment of this rare localization of Echinococcus granulosus is emphasized, and echocardiography is recommended even for nonspecific cardiac symptoms in areas where the parasite is endemic.