Cardiac echinococcosis: clinical picture and complications.

Cardiac echinococcosis is extremely rare. Its incidence, even in countries where it is endemic, is less than 2 per cent of the total incidence of echinococcosis. Since the first case described by Deve (I9OI) less than ioo have been reported. The diagnosis can easily be suspected and surgical treatment is simple and lifesaving if it is done before complications set in. We present 6 cases of hydatid heart disease with special reference to the clinical picture and complications.