Intracardiac Rupture of Hydatid Cysts of the Heart

Abstract
Intracardiac rupture of hydatid cysts of the heart is very frequent (38.66 per cent) and often causes sudden death (29 per cent). Cysts of the right ventricle rupture into the heart cavities far more often than do those of the left ventricle. Frequently, the cyst undergoes multiple intracardiac or pericardio-intracardiac ruptures. The consequences of the intracardiac rupture depend above all upon the contents of the cyst. If it contains liquid and microscopic elements, no mechanical disorders occur, but it may give rise to metastatic visceral echinococcosis. If it contains vesicles, or is degenerated, it may give rise to large emboli.