Introduction:
Since time immemorial, human Echinococcosis has represented a serious
disease burden of global concern (1,2). 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). The most frequently
involved organs by hydatidosis are liver (more than 65% of cases) and
lungs (both comprise at least 90% of cases) (1,5). 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. (2,3,7). In
endemic geographic areas, the most important issue regarding diagnosis
is clinical suspicion. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is the main
diagnostic tool for cardiac hydatid disease. Computed tomography(CT) and
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may provide additional diagnostic
information (2,3,7) . Surgery is the treatment of choice in all cases to
achieve higher survival rates with lower recurrence (1-10).