Surgical Management and Outcomes of Cardiac and Great Vessels Echinococcosis: A 16-Year Experience

Surgical excision of a cardiac hydatid cyst from the right ventricle in a child

“…Electrocardiogram and Chest radiograph are not specific (7). TTE is the preferred diagnostic modality in detecting the cysts and their location and size (3,7). Other highly useful modalities include CT and MRI, which can be informative for a better surgical approach (3,5,7).…”

“…TTE is the preferred diagnostic modality in detecting the cysts and their location and size (3,7). Other highly useful modalities include CT and MRI, which can be informative for a better surgical approach (3,5,7). The surgical excision combined with Albendazole therapy is still the gold standard for treatment of cardiac hydatid cysts (1-10).…”

“…It is a parasitic disease caused by the infection of larval stages of tapeworms belong to genus Echinococcus through the ingestion of food or water contaminated with their eggs, or by a direct contact with the animal hosts. The development of the larvae of Echinococcus Granulosus in humans (as accidental intermediate hosts) leads to Cystic Echinococcosis (CE) (Hydatidosis) (1,2,3). It is a hyperendemic disease in different regions of the world, significantly in rural areas (1,4).…”

“…Cardiac hydatid disease is rare (0.5-2% of all locations), and this may be due to the filtration of the embryos through the liver and lungs, and to the fact that cardiac rhythmic contractions prevent the cysts to implant within the cardiac wall. (3,6). Clinical presentation of cardiac hydatid cysts is quite variable and depends on the age, size, location, and integrity of the cyst.…”

“…In the majority of cases, patients are asymptomatic. Most common reported symptoms are dyspnea, chest pain, palpitations, and cough (3,8,9). On the other hand, it may present with life threatening events such as anaphylactic shock, pulmonary embolism, acute coronary syndrome, or malignant arrhythmias due to subendocardial rupture which leads to the release of cyst contents into the blood stream.…”