Ruptured intracardiac hydatid cyst presenting as acute coronary syndrome

Abstract

Hydatid disease is a parasitic infection caused by the larvae of Echinococcus granulosus, which is still endemic in many developing countries. Cardiac involvement is rare but potentially very serious on account of various clinical presentations and nonspecific symptoms that occasionally mimic acute coronary syndrome. We describe a case of ruptured left ventricular hydatid cyst presenting as acute inferolateral myocardial infarction with electrocardiographic changes. Because coronary angiography revealed normal coronary arteries, the final diagnosis was made on the basis of echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging. On-pump surgical resection followed by albendazole therapy yielded an excellent outcome.