Cardiac Hydatid Cyst: An Uncommon Cause of Complete Atrioventricular Block. / Cisto Hidático Cardíaco: Uma Causa Incomum de Bloqueio Atrioventricular Total.

Hydatidosis is a zoonosis caused by Echinococcus granulosus, leading to the formation of cysts on involved organs. Cardiac involvement is rare and can cause a wide range of complications secondary to rupture, embolization, or compression. Its diagnosis is challenging, and is generally confirmed through data related to clinical manifestations, environmental exposure, and laboratory and imaging exams. Surgical removal is necessary in most cases, in which an association with antiparasite therapy is recommended. The present article describes a case of a cardiac hydatid cyst associated with a complete atrioventricular block (AVB) in a young adult patient, with the need for a pacemaker implant, an atypical presentation, and scarce reports in the literature.

A hidatidose é uma zoonose causada pelo Echinococcus granulosus, levando à formação de cistos nos órgãos acometidos. O envolvimento cardíaco é raro e pode causar diversas complicações secundárias à ruptura, embolização ou compressão. Seu diagnóstico é desafiador, sendo confirmado por meio de dados relacionados a manifestações clínicas, exposição ambiental, exames laboratoriais e de imagem. A ressecção cirúrgica é necessária na maioria dos casos, sendo indicada a associação com terapia antiparasitária. No presente artigo, descreve-se um caso de cisto hidático cardíaco associado a bloqueio atrioventricular total em paciente jovem, com necessidade de implante de marcapasso, uma apresentação atípica e pouco relatada na literatura.

Cisto Hidático Cardíaco: Uma Causa Incomum de Bloqueio Atrioventricular Total / Cardiac Hydatid Cyst: An Uncommon Cause of Complete Atrioventricular Block

Resumo A hidatidose é uma zoonose causada pelo Echinococcus granulosus, levando à formação de cistos nos órgãos acometidos. O envolvimento cardíaco é raro e pode causar diversas complicações secundárias à ruptura, embolização ou compressão. Seu diagnóstico é desafiador, sendo confirmado por meio de dados relacionados a manifestações clínicas, exposição ambiental, exames laboratoriais e de imagem. A ressecção cirúrgica é necessária na maioria dos casos, sendo indicada a associação com terapia antiparasitária. No presente artigo, descreve-se um caso de cisto hidático cardíaco associado a bloqueio atrioventricular total em paciente jovem, com necessidade de implante de marcapasso, uma apresentação atípica e pouco relatada na literatura.

Abstract Hydatidosis is a zoonosis caused by Echinococcus granulosus, leading to the formation of cysts on involved organs. Cardiac involvement is rare and can cause a wide range of complications secondary to rupture, embolization, or compression. Its diagnosis is challenging, and is generally confirmed through data related to clinical manifestations, environmental exposure, and laboratory and imaging exams. Surgical removal is necessary in most cases, in which an association with antiparasite therapy is recommended. The present article describes a case of a cardiac hydatid cyst associated with a complete atrioventricular block (AVB) in a young adult patient, with the need for a pacemaker implant, an atypical presentation, and scarce reports in the literature.

Treatment with 17ß-estradiol protects donor heart against brain death effects in female rat.

The viability of donor organs is reduced by hemodynamic and immunologic alterations caused by brain death (BD). Female rats show higher heart inflammation associated with the reduction in female sex hormones after BD. This study investigated the effect of 17ß-estradiol (E2) on BD-induced cardiac damage in female rats. Groups of female Wistar rats were assigned: Sham-operation (Sham), brain death (BD), treatment with E2 (50 µg/ml, 2 ml/h) 3 h after BD (E2-T3), or immediately after BD confirmation (E2-T0). White blood cell (WBC) count was analyzed; cytokines and troponin-I were quantified. Heart histopathological changes and expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase, endothelin-1, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, BCL-2, and caspase-3 were evaluated. Cardiac function was continuously assessed for 6 h by left ventricular pressure-volume loop analysis. E2 decreased the BD-induced median serum concentration of troponin-I (BD:864.2 vs. E2-T0:401.4; P = 0.009), increased BCL-2 (BD:0.086 vs. E2-T0:0.158; P = 0.0278) and eNOS median expression in the cardiac tissue (BD:0.001 vs. E2-T0:0.03 and E2-T3:0.0175; P < 0.0001), and decreased caspase-3 (BD:0.025 vs. E2-T0:0.006 and E2-T3:0.019; P = 0.006), WBC counts, leukocyte infiltration, and hemorrhage. 17ß-estradiol treatment was effective in reducing cardiac tissue damage in brain-dead female rats owing to its ability to reduce leukocyte infiltration and prevent cardiomyocyte apoptosis.