Complete atrioventricular block due to a hydatid cyst located in the interventricular septum: a case report

Mert Yilmaz1, Isik Senkaya, Aysel Kaderli

  • 1Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Uludag University, Bursa, Turkey. mertyilmaz@uludag.edu.tr

The Heart Surgery Forum
|December 13, 2006
PubMed

Insights

A rare cardiac hydatid cyst caused heart block and tricuspid valve issues in a young patient. Surgical intervention successfully removed the cyst, repaired the valve, and implanted a pacemaker.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Parasitology
  • Cardiac Surgery

Background:

  • Cardiac hydatidosis is a rare parasitic infection caused by Echinococcus granulosus.
  • Cysts in the interventricular septum can lead to significant cardiac complications, including atrioventricular block and valvular dysfunction.

Observation:

  • A 19-year-old male presented with complete atrioventricular block and tricuspid valve insufficiency attributed to a cardiac hydatid cyst in the interventricular septum.
  • The cyst's location posed a surgical challenge due to its proximity to vital cardiac structures.

Findings:

  • Surgical excision of the hydatid cyst was successfully performed using cardiopulmonary bypass.
  • The interventricular septum defect was repaired with an autologous glutaraldehyde-treated pericardial patch.
  • Tricuspid valve annuloplasty corrected the insufficiency, and a dual-chamber epicardial pacemaker was implanted during the same procedure.

Implications:

  • This case demonstrates the feasibility of a multi-stage surgical repair (septal repair, valve repair, pacemaker implantation) in a single operation for cardiac hydatidosis.
  • Successful management highlights the importance of considering parasitic etiologies in young patients with complex cardiac conditions.
  • The long-term efficacy of this combined surgical approach warrants further investigation and follow-up.

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