Giant cardiac hydatid cysts with haemodynamic obstruction and arrhythmia: a surgical case series in two Syrian children

Cardiac hydatidosis accounts for less than 2% of Echinococcus granulosus infections. Despite Syria’s high endemicity, paediatric cardiac involvement remains exceptionally rare and underreported. We report two Syrian children (aged 5.5 and 9 years) with giant interventricular septal hydatid cysts. Case 1 presented with significant hemodynamic obstruction, while Case 2 exhibited malignant ventricular arrhythmias. Both underwent successful cardiopulmonary bypass-assisted cystectomy with capitonnage repair and adjuvant albendazole therapy. These cases underscore (1) the life-threatening nature of advanced paediatric cardiac hydatidosis and (2) the critical role of early surgical intervention in endemic regions. Written informed consent for publication was obtained.