Two cases of typical left ventricular cardiac echinococcosis: a retrospective review with literature synthesis

Echinococcus granulosus is a cestode parasite responsible for zoonotic hydatid disease. Humans acquire the infection by ingesting water or food contaminated with viable eggs, thereby serving as intermediate hosts. Although the liver and lungs are the organs most frequently involved, cardiac involvement is rare and often clinically silent. The majority of patients seek medical attention due to symptoms of organ compression. At present, the standard management combines surgical removal with perioperative antiparasitic chemotherapy. Here we report two illustrative cases of cardiac echinococcosis involving the left ventricular wall and integrate them with previously published data to provide a comprehensive review of the diagnosis and treatment of cardiac echinococcosis. This review summarizes the key points throughout the entire treatment process of cardiac echinococcosis.