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Cardiac Hydatid Cyst: An Uncommon Cause of Complete Atrioventricular Block
Renata Pibernat de Moraes1, Mathias Silvestre de Brida1, Rodrigo Moraes Reis1
1Instituto de Cardiologia, Porto Alegre, RS - Brasil.
Insights
Hydatidosis, a parasitic infection, rarely affects the heart, causing cysts. This case highlights a young adult with a cardiac hydatid cyst leading to heart block and pacemaker implantation.
Area of Science:
- Medicine
- Parasitology
- Cardiology
Background:
- Hydatidosis is a zoonotic parasitic disease caused by Echinococcus granulosus.
- Cardiac involvement is a rare but serious manifestation of hydatidosis.
Observation:
- A young adult presented with a cardiac hydatid cyst.
- The patient developed a complete atrioventricular block (AVB).
Findings:
- The cardiac hydatid cyst was diagnosed using clinical, environmental, laboratory, and imaging data.
- Surgical removal of the cyst and antiparasitic therapy were recommended.
- The patient required a pacemaker implant due to the AVB.
Implications:
- This case underscores the diagnostic challenges of cardiac hydatidosis.
- Atypical presentations, like AVB, require prompt recognition and management.
- Such rare cases contribute valuable data to medical literature and inform clinical practice.
Abstract:
Hydatidosis is a zoonosis caused by Echinococcus granulosus, leading to the formation of cysts on involved organs. Cardiac involvement is rare and can cause a wide range of complications secondary to rupture, embolization, or compression. Its diagnosis is challenging, and is generally confirmed through data related to clinical manifestations, environmental exposure, and laboratory and imaging exams. Surgical removal is necessary in most cases, in which an association with antiparasite therapy is recommended. The present article describes a case of a cardiac hydatid cyst associated with a complete atrioventricular block (AVB) in a young adult patient, with the need for a pacemaker implant, an atypical presentation, and scarce reports in the literature.
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