[Diagnosis and surgical treatment of echinococcosis of the heart and pericardium].

Analysis of 9 observations of echinococcosis of the heart and 5 echinococcosis of the pericardium has shown the primary echinococcosis of the heart and pericardium to be a rare case (0,45%). Early death of parasites was observed in the heart followed by calcification and by self-healing. In patients presenting no complaints or objective disorders no operations are expedient. In a living cyst surgery (echinococcectomy) is indicated. With thinned walls of the heart operation should be accomplished by strengthening of the heart wall with pericardium or a diaphragm flap after B. V. Petrovski.