A case Report of Cardiac Hydatid Cyst found during an Emergent Tamponade Surgery in an Unstable Patient

Abstract

Cardiac hydatid cysts are uncommon and pericardial involvement is extremely uncommon. We report a rare case of a cardiac hydatid cyst that was surprisingly found during an emergent tamponade surgery in a woman. She was pale, febrile, ill and toxic and 300cc turbid and purulent fluid was drained. In taking history, it was found that the patient had six sheep dogs in her house. Laboratory analysis revealed elevated C-reactive protein, elevated white blood cell count (neutrophil 80% and eosinophils less than 5%), anemia and negative immunoglobulin ELISA. Complete reevaluation revealed two relatively large hydatid cysts; the biggest one (5cm diameter) was in the lateral side of the left atrium and the other one (2.5cm diameter) was in the inferior of ascending aorta. Surgical removal of the cyst was performed via median sternotomy and cardiopulmonary bypass. The patient had pericarditis, fibrinous adhesions and heart inflammation. Postoperative period was uneventful and the patient received Albendazole for six months. There was no recurrence during the one- year follow-up period.