Background: Cardiac hydatidosis is a rare manifestation of Echinococcus infection. It represents 0.5 to 2% of hydatic disease (Mustafa et al., Can J Cardiol 22:2, 2006). The most common localization is the myocardium of the left ventricle but can also touch the right ventricle, atrium, pericardium, interventricular septum, and pulmonary artery. Clinical presentation is varied ranging from clinical latency or minor symptoms to cardiogenic shock and sudden death. The present case describes a primary pericardial hydatid cyst, a very exceptional localization of cardiac hydatidosis, which can lead to a delayed diagnosis or to an erroneous treatment that can expose the life of the patient to complications and death if it is not considered. Diagnosis can be established by cardiac imaging and hydatid serology. Therapy management should combine both surgery and medical treatment by albendazole or mebendazole. Case presentation: We report a 70-year-old woman from Sale, who was admitted for dyspnea New York Heart Association (NYHA) class IV evolving in a febrile context with signs of right heart failure related to a rupture of a primary pericardial hydatid cyst with pre-tamponade. The diagnosis was confirmed by echocardiography, computed tomography scan (CT scan), and hydatic serology, and the patient was operated and put on albendazole for 3 months with favorable clinical course. Conclusions: The aims of this article are to consider the diagnosis of cardiac hydatid cysts in the presence of pericardial effusion, especially if there is a prior history of hydatid disease, a contact with animals, or when it occurs in an endemic country, and to be able to make a differential diagnosis with cardiac imaging in order to avoid its complications and to guide the management.

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Summary This prospective study reports the design and results obtained after the EMPODaT project implementation. This project was funded by the Tempus programme of the European Commission with the objective to implement a common postgraduate programme on organ donation and transplantation (ODT) in six selected universities from Middle East/North Africa (MENA) countries (Egypt, Lebanon and Morocco). The consortium, coordinated by the University of Barcelona, included universities from Spain, Germany, Sweden and France. The first phase of the project was to perform an analysis of the current situation in the beneficiary countries, including existing training programmes on ODT, Internet connection, digital facilities and competences, training needs, and ODT activity and accreditation requirements. A total of 90 healthcare postgraduate students participated in the 1‐year training programme (30 ECTS academic credits). The methodology was based on e‐learning modules and face‐to‐face courses in English and French. Training activities were evaluated through pre‐ and post‐tests, self‐assessment activities and evaluation charts. Quality was assessed through questionnaires and semi‐structured interviews. The project results on a reproducible and innovative international postgraduate programme, improvement of knowledge, satisfaction of the participants and confirms the need on professionalizing the activity as the cornerstone to ensure organ transplantation self‐sufficiency in MENA countries.

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