Cardiac echinococcosis. Late sudden death after surgical treatment.

Surgical treatment of cardiac echinococcosis does not always cure the disease. Late sudden death is not exceptional and is generally caused by the rupture of hidden secondary pericardial cysts. If the primary cyst is ruptured, the surgeon must explore the pericardium and remove it completely, since it is the possible location of other hidden secondary cysts and of microscopic fertile elements.