[Hydatid cyst of the heart and vessels, four cases].

INTRODUCTION: The lung is the most frequent location of hydatid cysts (HC). Cardiac and vascular HC are rare, and the primary location in the pulmonary artery is exceptional.

OBSERVATIONS: We report three cases of right cardiac HC cyst revealed by pulmonary hydatidosis, and 1 case of a primary HC of the pulmonary artery revealed by haemoptysis. Treatment consisted in surgical resection of the cardiac and pulmonary artery HC. Post-surgical antiparasite chemotherapy, based on albendazole, was prescribed for all patients. The evolution was towards a post pneumonectomy syndrome in the patient with a HC in the pulmonary artery, major pulmonary hypertension in the case of pulmonary embolic hydatidosis and an extension of the hydatid lesions in the third patient. Treatment is ongoing in the fourth patient with the development of many parenchymatous cysts.

DISCUSSION: Cardiac and vascular hydatid cysts are rare and of bad prognosis. These cardiac and vascular cysts are of poor prognosis because of the risk of rupture and hematogenic dissemination. Treatments are only partially effective and more importance should be given to preventive treatment.