[Cardiac echinococcosis: 2 cases treated surgically]. 
Cardiac hydatid disease represents 0.02-2% of the possible locations of the parasite.  In these last few years we have seen an increase in the percentage of cardiac hydatid disease treated with surgery.  The Authors report on two patients who underwent surgery for the excision of cardiac hydatid cysts.  The Authors agree that in spite of the rarity of cardiac hydatid disease it should be investigated routinely by two-dimensional echocardiography in the presence of hepatic or pulmonary hydatid disease in order to prevent the possible spread of the parasite throughout the body.