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Published on: June 11, 2019
Thrombotic cardiac apex hydatid cyst
Feridoun Sabzi1, Hamid Madani2, Samsam Dabiri1
1Preventive Cardiovascular Research Centre Kermanshah, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.
Insights
A rare cardiac hydatid cyst (HC) in the left ventricular apex was surgically removed in a patient presenting with chest pain. Successful treatment involved surgery and Albendazole therapy, with no recurrence observed.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Parasitology
Background:
- Hydatid cyst (HC) is a parasitic infestation endemic in cattle-breeding regions.
- Cardiac involvement by HC is uncommon, with left ventricular apex involvement being exceedingly rare.
Observation:
- A 45-year-old male presented with chest pain and a cystic lesion at the cardiac apex.
- Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were used for diagnosis.
- Differential diagnoses included cystic tumors, HC, or aneurysm.
Findings:
- Surgery confirmed a thrombotic hydatid cyst at the left ventricular apex.
- The cyst and thrombus were successfully excised via on-pump cardiac surgery.
- Postoperative treatment included a 4-week course of Albendazole therapy.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of considering rare parasitic infections in cardiac diagnostics.
- Surgical excision combined with antiparasitic medication is an effective treatment for cardiac hydatid cysts.
- Complete healing and absence of recurrence were confirmed by 6-month TTE follow-up.
Abstract:
Hydatid cyst (HC) is an endemic infestation in the cattle-breading countries such as in Iran. The involvement of heart by HC is rare; however, nesting of larva in the left ventricular apex with subsequent rupture to the systemic circulation and thrombus formation in the remaining cyst cavity is an exceedingly rare phenomenon. A 45-year-old man referred to our emergency cardiac room with chest pain and a transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) that showed a cardiac apex cystic lesion. The differential diagnosis of a cystic tumor, a HC, or aneurysm in the apex of the left ventricular walls was considered and evaluated by TTE and magnetic resonance imaging. However, the thrombotic HC was confirmed at the surgery. The cyst with its thrombotic component was excised surgically by on-pump cardiac surgery. The postoperative period was uneventful and the patient was discharged to home and treated with a full course of Albendazole therapy for 4 weeks. Six-month follow-up with TTE revealed complete healing of the apex defect without recurrence of the cyst.
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