Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 22, 2025

Isolation and Functional Characterization of Human Ventricular Cardiomyocytes from Fresh Surgical Samples
Published on: April 21, 2014
Isolated Cardiac Hydatid Cyst Causing Complete Heart Block
Ismahane Lahmidi1, Mohamed Boutaybi1, Jamal El Ouazzani1
1Cardiology, Mohammed I University/Mohammed VI University Hospital, Oujda, MAR.
Insights
Cardiac hydatidosis, a rare parasitic infection, can affect the heart. This case highlights an interventricular septal cyst causing complete heart block, successfully managed with a pacemaker.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Parasitology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Cardiac hydatidosis is a rare parasitic infection caused by Echinococcus tapeworms.
- Involvement of the interventricular septum is uncommon, posing unique diagnostic and management challenges.
Observation:
- A rare case of cardiac echinococcus presenting as a cyst in the basal interventricular septum is described.
- The cyst's location led to compression of the cardiac conduction pathway, resulting in complete heart block.
Findings:
- The patient presented with complete heart block attributed to the interventricular septal hydatid cyst.
- Medical management combined with permanent pacemaker implantation was the chosen therapeutic approach.
Implications:
- This case underscores the importance of considering cardiac hydatidosis in the differential diagnosis of heart block, especially in endemic areas.
- Early diagnosis and appropriate management, including surgical or medical interventions and pacing, are crucial for favorable outcomes.
Abstract:
Cardiac hydatidosis is an unusual disease and the interventricular septum is infrequently involved. It can cause various complications because of rupture and embolization. Interventricular septal cysts, may in rare conditions, induce symptoms corresponding to compression of the conduction pathway such as atrioventricular block. In this report, we present an uncommon case of cardiac echinococcus located in the basal part of the interventricular septum presenting as complete heart block managed by medical treatment and implantation of a permanent pacemaker.
Related Concept Videos
Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Dysrhythmias IV: Characteristics of Bradyarrhythmias
Disturbances in Heart Rhythm
Arrhythmias are categorized by their speed, rhythm, and origin. A slow heart...
Mechanism of Cardiac Arrhythmias
Cardiomyopathy I: Introduction and Classification
Cardiomyopathy II: Dilated Cardiomyopathy

