Khush Bakht

RBH, United Kingdom

Abstract Title:

Biography: I am a dedicated Medical Doctor with 5 years of NHS experience, beginning my career with an MBBS from Ayub Medical College, Pakistan, in 2014. Since relocating to the UK in 2015, and gaining GMC registration, I have built a robust career within the NHS, where I have served since 2019. My clinical journey has spanned several medical specialties, including Emergency Medicine, Cardiology, Geriatric Medicine, and Endocrinology, providing me with a versatile foundation in acute and chronic patient care.

Research Interest: Hydatid disease is a zoonotic infection caused by the larval stage of Echinococcus, most commonly involving the liver (65%) and lungs (25%). Cardiac involvement is rare, accounting for approximately 1–2% of cases, with the left ventricle being the most frequently affected site. Cardiac hydatid cysts are often asymptomatic but may present with chest pain, dyspnea, palpitations, or life-threatening complications such as rupture, embolization, or anaphylaxis. We report a rare case of a 15?year?old boy who presented with progressive shortness of breath on exertion and gangrene of the right great toe. His past medical history was significant for hepatic hydatid cystectomy one year prior. On examination, he was hypertensive and tachycardic. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed a 3×3 cm cystic lesion within the left ventricular cavity attached to the anterolateral wall, suggestive of a hydatid cyst. This was further confirmed by computed tomography of the chest, which demonstrated a well?defined cyst measuring 3.6×3.2×3.6 cm. Serology and FNAC were avoided due to the high risk of cyst rupture. Additionally, Doppler ultrasound showed bilateral popliteal artery stenosis with occlusion of the right posterior tibial and dorsalis pedis arteries, indicating peripheral embolization. The patient underwent open heart surgery with excision of the left ventricular cyst along with bilateral embolectomy. Intraoperatively, the cyst was located in the subendocardial layer of the left ventricular lateral wall. Due to irreversible ischemia, right lower limb amputation was performed. This case highlights the rare occurrence of left ventricular hydatid cyst presenting with systemic embolization leading to limb ischemia. Early diagnosis with echocardiography and CT imaging, followed by prompt surgical intervention and adjunctive antihelminthic therapy, is crucial to prevent fatal complications. Cardiac hydatid disease, though rare, should be considered in endemic regions in patients with unexplained cardiac or embolic manifestations.