Department of Cardiology, Central Hospital, İzmir

Cardiac hydatid disease is uncommon, occurring in 0.2% to 2% of patients with echinococcal disease. A 67-year-old farmer presented with fatigue, dyspnea, and palpitations. He had no previous history of heart disease. Cardiovascular examination, electrocardiography, chest X-ray, hematologic and biochemical tests were normal. Parasitic serology was negative. Transthoracic echocardiograpy showed a cyst, measuring 3.7x3.5 cm, in the posteroapical region of the left ventricle. Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the cardiac cyst and showed another cyst in the liver. The patient underwent surgery through median sternotomy and the cyst was removed. Pathologic examination confirmed the diagnosis of echinococcosis. Postoperatively, the patient was treated with albendazole (800 mg/day) for four weeks. At three-month follow-up, the patient was asymptomatic, with improved functional capacity. Two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography showed no signs of cystic formation.