The Outcome of Cardiac Hydatid Surgery in The Iraqi Center of Heart Diseases : A Retrospective Case-series Study.

BACKGROUND

Cardiac hydatid cysts are an uncommon presentation of heart disease and most often affect the left ventricle. The clinical picture may vary considerably and may include arrhythmias and myocarditis, up to a potentially life-threatening embolism of the cystic contents in cases of rupture into a cardiac chamber. Early and proper diagnosis is very important to avoid serious complications such as infection and rupture of the cyst. Although medical treatment may provide a certain degree of control, surgery remains the preferred treatment because it offers good results and a low possibility of recurrence when performed early.

METHODOLOGY: This retrospective case-series study examined five patients diagnosed with cardiac hydatid cysts between January 2018 and July 2024. All cases were managed by a qualified cardiac surgeon in Al-Anbar Governorate, Iraq. The effectiveness and safety of surgical management were evaluated on the basis of clinical information, radiographic findings, surgical procedures, and post-operative outcomes.

RESULTS

All five patients successfully underwent excision of the cardiac hydatid cysts. The post-operative course was uneventful in all cases except one patient who developed significant post-operative bleeding that required re-exploration. No deaths occurred, and good clinical recovery was achieved. No incidence of cyst rupture, secondary infection, or cyst recurrence was reported during the follow-up period.

CONCLUSIONS

Although uncommon, cardiac hydatid cysts should be included in the differential diagnosis of cardiac masses, particularly in endemic areas. Echocardiography and advanced imaging should be used for early diagnosis to prevent severe complications. Surgery remains the cornerstone of treatment because it offers a high success rate with low risk when performed in a timely and careful manner. The positive results in this series support the importance of timely surgical referral and multidisciplinary management.