Intracavitary cardiac hydatid cyst.

The purpose of this study is to determine the diagnosis means, the surgical management and the prognosis of patients with intracavitary cardiac hydatid cyst. We report a series of seven patients. The diagnosis was orientated by coexisting pulmonary locations in all patients. The cyst was located in the right cardiac chambers. Cardiopulmonary bypass with aortic cross clamping and cardioplegia was necessary in all cases. The postoperative course was satisfactory for all patients. There was a recurrence of pulmonary cysts in all patients after a mean duration of 42 months. Medical treatment (Albendazole) was instituted. One late death occurred at 3 years of follow-up due to chronic right heart failure. In conclusion, cardiac hydatid cysts with intracavitary location must be suspected in patients with pulmonary or systemic embolization. Early surgical treatment is necessary and medical treatment must be instituted after surgery.