Comparison of necropsy findings in patients with sarcoidosis dying suddenly from cardiac sarcoidosis versus dying suddenly from other causes

The harm of delayed diagnosis of arrhythmogenic cardiac sarcoidosis: a case series

Aims

Cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) is a known cause of ventricular tachycardia (VT). However, an arrhythmogenic presentation may not prompt immediate comprehensive evaluation. We aimed to assess the diagnostic and disease course of patients with arrhythmogenic cardiac sarcoidosis (ACS).

Methods and results

From the Leiden VT-ablation-registry, consecutive patients with CS as underlying aetiology were retrospectively included. Data on clinical presentation, time-to-diagnosis, cardiac function, and clinical outcomes were collected. Patients were divided in early (<6 months from first cardiac presentation) and late diagnosis. After exclusion of patients with known causes of non-ischaemic cardiomyopathy (NICM), 15 (12%) out of 129 patients with idiopathic NICM were ultimately diagnosed with CS and included. Five patients were diagnosed early; all had early presentation with VTs. Ten patients had a late diagnosis with a median delay of 24 (IQR 15–44) months, despite presentation with VT (n = 5) and atrioventricular block (n = 4). In 6 of 10 patients, reason for suspicion of ACS was the electroanatomical scar pattern. In patients with early diagnosis, immunosuppressive therapy was immediately initiated with stable cardiac function during follow-up. Adversely, in 7 of 10 patients with late diagnosis, cardiac function deteriorated before diagnosis, and in only one cardiac function recovered with immunosuppressive therapy. Six (40%) patients died (five of six with late diagnosis).

Conclusion

Arrhythmogenic cardiac sarcoidosis is an important differential diagnosis in NICM patients referred for VT ablation. Importantly, the diagnosis is frequently delayed, which leads to a severe disease course, including irreversible cardiac dysfunction and death. Early recognition, which can be facilitated by electroanatomical mapping, is crucial.

Management of Cardiac Sarcoidosis Using Mycophenolate Mofetil as a Steroid-Sparing Agent

BACKGROUND

Cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with systemic sarcoidosis. Steroid-sparing agents are increasingly used, despite a lack of randomized trials or published guidelines to direct treatment.

METHODS AND RESULTS

This retrospective study included 77 patients with CS treated with prednisone monotherapy (n = 32) or a combination with mycophenolate mofetil (n = 45) between 2003 and 2018. Baseline characteristics and clinical outcomes were evaluated. The mean patient age was 53 ± 11 years at CS diagnosis, 66.2% were male, and 35.1% were Black. The total exposure to maximum prednisone dose (initial prednisone dose × days at dose) was lower in the combination therapy group (1440 mg [interquartile range (IQR), 1200-2760 mg] vs 2710 mg [IQR, 1200-5080 mg]; P = .06). On ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography scans, both groups demonstrated a significant decrease in the cardiac maximum standardized uptake value after treatment: a median decrease of 3.9 (IQR 2.7-9.0, P = .002) and 2.9 (IQR 0-5.0, P = .001) for prednisone monotherapy and combination therapy, respectively. Most patients experienced improvement or complete resolution in qualitative cardiac ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose uptake (92.3% and 70.4% for the prednisone and combination therapy groups, respectively). Mycophenolate mofetil was well tolerated.

CONCLUSIONS

Mycophenolate mofetil in combination with prednisone for the treatment of CS may minimize corticosteroid exposure and decrease cardiac inflammation without significant adverse effects.

Cardiac Sarcoidosis Is Uncommon in Patients with Isolated Sarcoid Uveitis: Outcome of 294 Cases

Recently, concerns have been raised about an increased risk of cardiac sarcoidosis in patients with sarcoid uveitis. While cardiac sarcoidosis has a high mortality burden, there is still a lack of precise data on this association. The objective of this study is to describe the frequency and type of cardiac complications associated with sarcoidosis of a large cohort of patients with sarcoid uveitis. We analyzed the cardiac outcomes of a monocentric retrospective cohort of consecutive adults with a diagnosis of sarcoid uveitis between January 2004 and March 2020 in a tertiary French university hospital. A total of 294 patients with a final diagnosis of sarcoid uveitis were included. At final follow-up, seven (2.4%) patients of the cohort had cardiac sarcoidosis. Cardiac sarcoidosis was more frequent among patients with previously reported systemic sarcoidosis (p = 0.008). The prevalence of cardiac sarcoidosis among patients with sarcoid uveitis is low, but patients with previously diagnosed sarcoidosis or those who develop systemic sarcoidosis during follow-up appear to be at increased risk.

The Role of Multimodality Imaging in Cardiac Sarcoidosis

The etiology and the progression of sarcoidosis remain unknown. However, cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) is significantly associated with a poor prognosis due to the associated congestive heart failure, arrhythmias (such as an advanced atrioventricular block), and ventricular tachyarrhythmia. Novel imaging modalities are now available to detect CS lesions secondary to active inflammation, granuloma formation, and fibrotic changes. ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) play essential roles in diagnosing and monitoring patients with confirmed or suspected CS. The following focused review will highlight the emerging role of non-invasive cardiac imaging techniques, including FDG PET/CT and CMR.

The precordial R' wave: A novel discriminator between cardiac sarcoidosis and arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy in patients presenting with ventricular tachycardia

BACKGROUND

Cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) with right ventricular (RV) involvement can mimic arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC). Histopathological differences may result in disease-specific RV activation patterns detectable on the 12-lead electrocardiogram. Dominant subepicardial scar in ARVC leads to delayed activation of areas with reduced voltages, translating into terminal activation delay and occasionally (epsilon) waves with a small amplitude. Conversely, patchy transmural RV scar in CS may lead to conduction block and therefore late activated areas with preserved voltages reflected as preserved R' waves.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the distinct terminal activation patterns in precordial leads V₁ through V₃ as a discriminator between CS and ARVC.

METHODS

Thirteen patients with CS affecting the RV and 23 patients with gene-positive ARVC referred for ventricular tachycardia ablation were retrospectively included in a multicenter approach. A non-ventricular-paced 12-lead surface electrocardiogram was analyzed for the presence and the surface area of the R' wave (any positive deflection from baseline after an S wave) in leads V₁ through V₃.

RESULTS

An R' wave in leads V₁ through V₃ was present in all patients with CS compared to 11 (48%) patients with ARVC (P = .002). An algorithm including a PR interval of ≥220 ms, the presence of an R' wave, and the surface area of the maximum R' wave in leads V₁ through V₃ of ≥1.65 mm² had 85% sensitivity and 96% specificity for diagnosing CS, validated in a second cohort (18 CS and 40 ARVC) with 83% sensitivity and 88% specificity.

CONCLUSION

An easily applicable algorithm including PR prolongation and the surface area of the maximum R' wave in leads V₁ through V₃ of ≥1.65 mm² distinguishes CS from ARVC. This QRS terminal activation in precordial leads V₁ through V₃ may reflect disease-specific scar patterns.

Arrhythmias in Cardiac Sarcoidosis Bench to Bedside: A Case-Based Review

Cardiac sarcoidosis is a component of an often multiorgan granulomatous disease of still uncertain cause. It is being recognized with increasing frequency, mainly as the result of heightened awareness and new diagnostic tests, specifically cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography scans. The purpose of this case-based review is to highlight the potentially life-saving importance of making the early diagnosis of cardiac sarcoidosis using these new tools and to provide a framework for the optimal care of patients with this disease. We will review disease mechanisms as currently understood, associated arrhythmias including conduction abnormalities, and atrial and ventricular tachyarrhythmias, guideline-directed diagnostic criteria, screening of patients with extracardiac sarcoidosis, and the use of pacemakers and defibrillators in this setting. Treatment options, including those related to heart failure, and those which may help clarify disease mechanisms are included.

Challenges in Cardiac and Pulmonary Sarcoidosis: JACC State-of-the-Art Review

Sarcoidosis is a complex disease with heterogeneous clinical presentations that can affect virtually any organ. Although the lung is typically the most common organ involved, combined pulmonary and cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) account for most of the morbidity and mortality associated with this disease. Pulmonary sarcoidosis can be asymptomatic or result in impairment in quality of life and end-stage, severe, and/or life-threatening disease. The latter outcome is seen almost exclusively in those with fibrotic pulmonary sarcoidosis, which accounts for 10% to 20% of pulmonary sarcoidosis patients. CS is problematic to diagnose and may cause significant morbidity and death from heart failure or ventricular arrhythmias. The diagnosis of CS usually requires surrogate cardiac imaging biomarkers, as endomyocardial biopsy has relatively low yield, even with directed electrophysiological mapping. Treatment of CS is often multifactorial, involving a combination of antigranulomatous therapy and pharmacotherapy for cardiac arrhythmias and/or heart failure in addition to device placement and cardiac transplantation.

CT and MR Imaging Findings of Structural Heart Diseases Associated with Sudden Cardiac Death

급성 심장사는 증상이 시작된 후 한 시간 이내에 발생하는 심장 원인으로 인한 사망이다. 급성 심장사의 원인은 주로 부정맥이지만 동반할 수 있는 기저 심질환들을 사전에 진단하는 것은 장기적 위험을 예측하는 데 중요하다. 심장 CT와 심장 MR은 구조적 심질환을 진단하고 평가하는데 중요한 정보를 제공하여 급성 심장사의 위험을 예측하고 대비할 수 있게 한다. 따라서 임상적으로 중요한 급성 심장사의 위험을 증가시키는 다양한 원인과 영상 소견의 중요성에 대하여 중점적으로 살펴보고자 한다.

Management of Cardiac Sarcoidosis in 2020

Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory granulomatous disease that can affect any organ. Up to one-quarter of patients with systemic sarcoidosis may have evidence of cardiac involvement. The clinical manifestations of cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) include heart block, atrial arrhythmias, ventricular arrhythmias and heart failure. The diagnosis of CS can be challenging given the patchy infiltration of the myocardium but, with the increased availability of advanced cardiac imaging, more cases of CS are being identified. Immunosuppression with corticosteroids remains the standard therapy for the acute inflammatory phase of CS, but there is an evolving role of steroid-sparing agents. In this article, the authors provide an update on the diagnosis of CS, including the role of imaging; review the clinical manifestations of CS, namely heart block, atrial and ventricular arrhythmias and heart failure; discuss updated management strategies, including immunosuppression, electrophysiological and heart failure therapies; and identify the current gaps in knowledge and future directions for cardiac sarcoidosis.

18F-FDG uptake of the right ventricle is an important predictor of histopathologic diagnosis by endomyocardial biopsy in patients with cardiac sarcoidosis

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to determine whether right ventricle (RV) 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake can predict positive findings of endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) in patients with cardiac sarcoidosis (CS).

METHODS

70 consecutive patients with clinically diagnosed CS who had undergone FDG PET were registered in the present study. Patients without EMB (n = 42) were excluded. Ultimately, 28 patients were studied. EMB samples were obtained from the RV septum. We evaluated the FDG uptake on six segments (RV, left ventricle anterior, septal, lateral, inferior, and apex).

RESULTS

Positive EMB was found in six patients (21%). Patients were divided into two groups according to positive (n = 12 [43%]) or negative (n = 16 [57%]) RV FDG uptake. Patients with positive RV FDG uptake had a significantly higher frequency of positive EMB than those without (42% vs. 6%, P = 0.024). On the other hand, there was no EMB-predictive value for the FDG uptakes in the other five segments, the cardiac metabolic volume, total lesion glycolysis, left ventricular ejection fraction, or any electrocardiogram findings.

CONCLUSIONS

FDG uptake of the RV but no other heart segment was associated with positive EMB in CS patients. The presence of RV FDG uptake could improve the rate of positive EMB up to 42% in patients with CS.

Arrhythmias Associated with Inflammatory Cardiomyopathies

Purpose of review

To provide an approach to the diagnosis and treatment of arrhythmias associated with inflammatory cardiomyopathies.

Recent findings

Inflammatory cardiomyopathies are increasingly recognized as the etiology of both ventricular and supraventricular arrhythmias. There have been recent studies providing novel insights into the pathogenesis of arrhythmias in inflammatory cardiomyopathies and exploring the role of various diagnostic tools and treatment strategies.

Summary

Patients with inflammatory cardiomyopathies often present with one or more arrhythmias, including atrioventricular block, atrial and ventricular tachyarrhythmias, and occasionally sudden cardiac death. Given dynamic pathophysiology and heterogeneous presentation, the management of arrhythmias in these patients presents unique challenges. We review the current approach to the diagnosis and treatment of arrhythmias in this challenging cohort of patients with an emphasis on cardiac sarcoidosis.

Supplementary Information

The online version of this article (10.1007/s11936-020-00871-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Advanced Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging in the Diagnosis of Cardiomyopathy

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this article is to summarize the protocol, interpretation, and diagnostic performance of nuclear medicine and molecular imaging in imaging two distinctive, underdiagnosed cardiomyopathies: cardiac amyloidosis and cardiac sarcoidosis. CONCLUSION. Emerging new radiotracers and advanced molecular imaging modalities enable us to noninvasively characterize certain types of cardiomyopathies, including cardiac amyloidosis and cardiac sarcoidosis, with great confidence. We expect to improve recognition and promote the application of such advanced techniques in the imaging and management of these potentially lethal cardiomyopathies.

A Patient with Atrioventricular Block and Ventricular Tachycardia: Think Sarcoid!

Cardiac involvement in sarcoidosis is often difficult to diagnose, and most alarmingly can lead to sudden cardiac arrest as its first manifestation. We report the case of a 45-year-old Indian woman with an implanted permanent pacemaker for atrioventricular block, who presented with haemodynamically stable ventricular tachycardia and was found to have impaired left ventricular function. Subsequent investigations established the diagnosis of cardiac sarcoidosis. The patient was treated with prednisolone initially at 40 mg a day for 3 months. Left ventricular function improved over 3 months of treatment and there was no further recurrence of ventricular tachycardia. Screening for cardiac sarcoidosis should be considered in a patient with unexplained atrioventricular block and ventricular tachycardia, particularly if young, even in the absence of clinical findings of extracardiac sarcoidosis. Treatment of the cardiac sarcoidosis could control ventricular tachycardia and improve left ventricular function.

Screening Sarcoidosis Patients for Occult Disease

As sarcoidosis may involve any organ, sarcoidosis patients should be evaluated for occult disease. Screening for some organ involvement may not be warranted if it is unlikely to cause symptoms, organ dysfunction, or affect clinical outcome. Even organ involvement that affects clinical outcome does not necessarily require screening if early detection fails to change the patient's quality of life or prognosis. On the other hand, early detection of some forms of sarcoidosis may improve outcomes and survival. This manuscript describes the approach to screening sarcoidosis patients for previously undetected disease. Screening for sarcoidosis should commence with a meticulous medical history and physical examination. Many sarcoidosis patients present with physical signs or symptoms of sarcoidosis that have not been recognized as manifestations of the disease. Detection of sarcoidosis in these instances depends on the clinician's familiarity with the varied clinical presentations of sarcoidosis. In addition, sarcoidosis patients may present with symptoms or signs that are not related to specific organ involvement that have been described as parasarcoidosis syndromes. It is conjectured that parasarcoidosis syndromes result from systemic release of inflammatory mediators from the sarcoidosis granuloma. Certain forms of sarcoidosis may cause permanent and serious problems that can be prevented if they are detected early in the course of their disease. These include (1) ocular involvement that may lead to permanent vision impairment; (2) vitamin D dysregulation that may lead to hypercalcemia, nephrolithiasis, and permanent kidney injury; and (3) cardiac sarcoidosis that may lead to a cardiomyopathy, ventricular arrhythmias, heart block, and sudden death. Screening for these forms of organ involvement requires detailed screening approaches.

Utility of FDG PET and Cardiac MRI in Diagnosis and Monitoring of Immunosuppressive Treatment in Cardiac Sarcoidosis

PURPOSE

To compare the contributions of cardiac MRI and PET in the diagnosis and management of cardiac sarcoidosis (CS), with particular reference to quantitative measures.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This is a retrospective, observational study of 31 patients (mean age, 45.7 years) with proven extracardiac sarcoidosis and possible CS who were investigated with fluorine 18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET/CT and cardiac MRI. Patients were treated at physicians' discretion with repeat combined imaging after an interval of 102-770 days (median, 228 days).

RESULTS

Significant myocardial FDG uptake was shown on visit 1 (myocardial maximum standardized uptake value [SUVmax] > 3.6) in 17 of 22 patients who were subsequently treated. Myocardial SUVmax decreased at follow-up (6.5 to 4.0; P < .01) and was matched by significant decreases in FDG-avid lung and mediastinal node disease. A volumetric measure of myocardium above a threshold SUV (cardiac metabolic volume) decreased from a mean of 42.5 to a mean of 4.1 (P < .001). This was associated with significant improvement in the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (45.8 increasing to 50.9; P < .031). There was no change in volume of late gadolinium enhancement at treatment. Patients who were untreated showed no change in any FDG PET or cardiac MRI parameter.

CONCLUSION

Myocardial FDG uptake in patients suspected of having CS is presumed to represent active inflammation. When treated with corticosteroids, this resolved or regressed at follow-up, with an improvement in LVEF and FDG-avid thoracic disease. Patients who were untreated showed no change in any parameter. Quantification of FDG-avid myocardium using cardiac metabolic volume is proposed as a useful objective measure for assessing response to therapy.© RSNA, 2020See also commentary by Gutberlet in this issue.

Indirect pathological indicators for cardiac sarcoidosis on endomyocardial biopsy

BACKGROUND

The definitive pathologic diagnosis of cardiac sarcoidosis requires observation of a granuloma in the myocardial tissue. It is common, however, to receive a "negative" report for a clinically probable case. We would like to advise pathologists and clinicians on how to interpret "negative" biopsies.

METHODS

Our study samples were 27 endomyocardial biopsies from 25 patients, three cardiac transplantation and an autopsied heart with suspected cardiac sarcoidosis. Pathologic, radiologic, and clinical features were compared.

RESULTS

The presence of micro-granulomas or increased histiocytic infiltration was always (6/6 or 100%) associated with fatty infiltration and confluent fibrosis, and they showed radiological features of sarcoidosis. Three of five cases (60%) with fatty change and confluent fibrosis were probable for cardiac sarcoidosis on radiology. When either confluent fibrosis or fatty change was present, one-third (3/9) were radiologically probable for cardiac sarcoidosis. We interpreted cases with micro-granuloma as positive for cardiac sarcoidosis (five of 25, 20%). Cases with both confluent fibrosis and fatty change were interpreted as probable for cardiac sarcoidosis (seven of 25, 28%). Another 13 cases, including eight cases with either confluent fibrosis or fatty change, were interpreted as low probability based on endomyocardial biopsy.

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of micro-granuloma could be an evidence for positive diagnosis of cardiac sarcoidosis. Presence of both confluent fibrosis and fatty change is necessary for probable cardiac sarcoidosis in the absence of granuloma. Either of confluent fibrosis or fatty change may be an indirect pathological evidence but they are interpreted as nonspecific findings.

Features and clinical impact of extra-cardiac lesions with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography in patients with suspected cardiac sarcoidosis

Background

Sarcoidosis is a systemic inflammatory disorder and can often affect any other organs beyond the heart. Whole-body ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) is used to detect not only cardiac but also extra-cardiac involvement of sarcoidosis. However, the features and clinical impact of extra-cardiac lesions have not yet been fully elucidated. Therefore, this study aimed to clarify these using FDG-PET.

Methods and results

We enrolled 120 consecutive patients with abnormal findings clinically suggesting cardiac sarcoidosis who underwent whole-body FDG-PET. In this study, a patient with suspected cardiac sarcoidosis was defined as one having both clinically suspected findings and FDG-PET positive cardiac uptake. Subsequently, a total of 36 patients with suspected cardiac sarcoidosis were found and analyzed. Extra-cardiac involvement was detected in 35 lesions of 14 patients (39% per patient). In particular, the extra-cardiac lesions were widely distributed throughout the body, and mediastinal/hilar lymph node involvement was most commonly observed. In most of the patients (93% per patient, 13/14), the extra-cardiac lesions were localized in the regions that were considered more accessible with less risk of complication compared with endomyocardial biopsy (EMB). Based on the FDG-PET findings, 8 patients underwent extra-cardiac biopsy without complication, and its diagnostic sensitivity for histological sarcoidosis was high (75%, 6/8). Moreover, FDG-PET-guided extra-cardiac biopsy could confirm histological sarcoidosis in 4 lesions that EMB failed to prove.

Conclusions

Extra-cardiac involvement in patients with suspected cardiac sarcoidosis was relatively high. FDG-PET-guided extra-cardiac biopsy may be safe and useful for the imaging based diagnosis of cardiac sarcoidosis.

Cardiac Sarcoidosis

Approximately 5% of patients with sarcoidosis will have clinically manifest cardiac involvement presenting with one or more of ventricular arrhythmias, conduction abnormalities, and heart failure. It is estimated that another 20 to 25% of pulmonary/systemic sarcoidosis patients have asymptomatic cardiac involvement (clinically silent disease). Cardiac presentations can be the first (and/or an unrecognized) manifestation of sarcoidosis in a variety of circumstances. Immunosuppression therapy (usually with corticosteroids) has been suggested for the treatment of clinically manifest cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) despite minimal data supporting it. Positron emission tomography imaging is often used to detect active disease and guide immunosuppression. Patients with clinically manifest disease often need device therapy, typically with implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs). The extent of left ventricular dysfunction seems to be the most important predictor of prognosis among patients with clinically manifest CS. In the current era of earlier diagnosis, modern heart failure treatment, and use of ICD therapy, the prognosis from CS is much improved. In a recent Finnish nationwide study, 10-year cardiac survival was 92.5% in 102 patients.

Diagnosis of isolated cardiac sarcoidosis based on new guidelines

Aims

In the updated guidelines for cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) proposed by the Japanese Circulation Society (JCS), the definition of isolated CS (iCS) was established for the first time. This prompted us to examine the characteristics of patients with CS including iCS according to them by reviewing patients undergoing ¹⁸F‐fluoro‐2‐deoxyglucose positron‐emission tomography/computerized tomography (FDG‐PET/CT), compared with those with CS determined by the conventional international criteria.

Methods and results

From 2013 to 2019, 94 patients (61 ± 15 years, 50 female patients) with suspected CS underwent whole‐body and cardiac FDG‐PET/CT scanning. In contrast to 22 patients with CS based on the international criteria, 34 [27 with systemic sarcoidosis including cardiac involvement (sCS) and 7 with definitive iCS] were diagnosed with CS according to the new JCS guidelines (P = 0.012), and 60 were not (4 suspected iCS, 13 systematic sarcoidosis without cardiac involvement, and 43 no sarcoidosis). In addition to 26 of 34 patients with CS, corticosteroids were also started in 6 of 60 without CS according to clinical need.

Conclusions

Diagnostic yield with the new JCS guidelines was higher, with approximately 1.5‐fold of the patients diagnosed with CS compared with the previous international criteria and definitive iCS accounting for approximately 20% of the whole CS cohort. In addition to 75% of the patients with sCS or definitive iCS in the updated guidelines, 10% in whom CS was not documented were also started on corticosteroids for clinical indications such as reduced cardiac function or arrhythmia.

Patient Selection for Epicardial Ablation-Part I: The Role of Epicardial Ablation in Various Cardiac Disease States

Epicardial catheter ablation is most commonly performed following unsuccessful endocardial ablation. Given the frequency of epicardial substrates in certain cardiomyopathic disease states, however, a combined endocardial–epicardial approach should be considered as a primary treatment strategy. Although epicardial ablation is primarily deployed in patients with ventricular arrhythmias, the role of epicardial approaches in supraventricular tachycardias (eg, atrial fibrillation, inappropriate sinus tachycardia, and—rarely—accessory pathways) is growing, with continued advances being made.

Post-mortem CT with macroscopic and microscopic correlation in a case of sudden death due to systemic sarcoidosis

We report a case of sudden death due to systemic sarcoidosis in a fifty-four year old male who was reportedly healthy. A computerized tomography (CT) scan was performed before the autopsy. It showed cardiomegaly with hilar and abdominal lymphadenopathy. The autopsy showed pale yellow plaque deposition on the heart surface which was infiltrating the myocardium. Histological examination of the heart, lungs, liver, and spleen showed extensive sarcoid granulomata which helped in establishing the cause of death.

Review: Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance in the diagnosis and management of cardiac sarcoidosis

Sarcoidosis is a relatively rare inflammatory condition which potentially carries high morbidity and substantial mortality. Due to the fact that it does not subject patients to ionizing radiation, has high temporal, spatial and contrast resolutions, cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) has become an important diagnostic and prognostic modality in the evaluation for cardiac involvement in this condition. This review provides relevant clinical and pathophysiological background on cardiac sarcoidosis, whilst detailing the role of CMR imaging in the diagnosis, and management of this condition.

Multimodality Imaging to Guide Ventricular Tachycardia Ablation in Patients with Non-ischaemic Cardiomyopathy

Catheter ablation is an effective treatment option for ventricular tachycardia (VT) in patients with non-ischaemic cardiomyopathy (NICM). The heterogeneous nature of NICM aetiologies and VT substrate in patients with NICM play a role in long-term ablation outcomes in this population. Over the past decades, more precise identification of NICM aetiologies and better characterisation of various substrates have been made. Application of multimodal imaging has greatly contributed to the accurate diagnosis of NICM subtypes and improved VT ablation strategies. This article summarises the current knowledge of multimodal imaging used in the characterisation of non-ischaemic NICM substrates, procedural planning and image integration for the optimisation of VT ablation.

The Many Faces of Cardiac Sarcoidosis

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to review and illustrate the sometimes diagnostically challenging features of cardiac sarcoidosis. We emphasize variable phenotypes presented at explant and biopsy evaluation and review literature regarding ancillary clinical and pathologic studies to enhance diagnostic accuracy.

METHODS

A literature review was performed and two cardiac sarcoidosis cases were illustrated.

RESULTS

Our cases and literature review demonstrate the pathologic spectrum of cardiac sarcoidosis. Irregular left ventricular free wall involvement is most common, followed by the interventricular septum and right ventricle. Although granulomas are often composed of tight epithelioid macrophage aggregates, early granulomas comprise loosely associated macrophages with lymphocyte predominance. Chronic disease leads to fibrosis and end-stage heart failure. Sampling errors and variable histology cause low endomyocardial biopsy sensitivity.

CONCLUSIONS

Current guidelines use clinical, radiologic, and immunohistologic criteria for diagnosing cardiac sarcoidosis. Knowledge of these guidelines will assist pathologists in making accurate diagnosis of this disease.

Diagnostic accuracy of cardiac MRI, FDG-PET, and myocardial biopsy for the diagnosis of cardiac sarcoidosis: a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

CS constitutes a rare but potentially underdiagnosed and fatal disease. Its diagnosis remains difficult owing to the infrequent and indistinguishable symptoms and the lack of formal diagnostic criteria dependent upon the diagnostic techniques used. Early diagnosis and treatment, however, may help to counter its poor prognosis.We aim to characterize and compare the diagnostic accuracy of cardiac MRI, FDG-PET and myocardial biopsy for the diagnosis of cardiac sarcoidosis and to advance and compare methods for complex diagnostic test accuracy reviews and meta-analysis.

METHODS

Following a systematic review on DTA studies on the aforementioned topic, a four-part approach to meta-analysis will be used: (1) direct comparison of index tests with clinical reference standard, (2) indirect comparison of index tests with clinical reference standard, (3) addition of an alternative test to that indirect comparison (4) and Bayesian meta-analysis using results of part 3 as informative prior for comparisons analogous to part 1 and 2.

DISCUSSION

The most widely recognized diagnostic algorithm for cardiac sarcoidosis is considered out of date, as it precedes the introduction of imaging techniques in diagnostic pathways. These novel imaging techniques, like CMR and FDG-PET scan, have emerged as promising diagnostic tools which may fill the current diagnostic gap. Thus, a systematic review and evaluation of CS diagnosis are much needed. Such an attempt is anticipated to alter the current diagnostic guidelines for CS by shedding more light on the role of sophisticated imaging techniques on prompt CS therapy and follow-up.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

PROSPERO, CRD42019047126.

Right ventricular involvement is an important prognostic factor and risk stratification tool in suspected cardiac sarcoidosis: analysis by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging

BACKGROUND

Late gadolinium enhancement imaging (LGE) of the left ventricle (LV) by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) has prognostic value for patients with cardiac sarcoidosis (CS). Right ventricle (RV) dysfunction is also associated with adverse outcomes in patients with heart failure. Therefore, we sought to determine if RV LGE and dysfunction predicted adverse events in patients with suspected CS.

METHODS

In 103 consecutive patients with suspected CS who underwent CMR, functional and remodeling indexes of both the LV and RV were measured and the extent and localization of LGE were also analyzed. Major adverse cardiac events (MACE) were defined as cardiovascular mortality, severe ventricular tachyarrhythmia, hospitalization with heart failure, and advanced atrioventricular block.

RESULTS

During a median follow-up of 20.6 months, Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that decreased RV ejection fraction (EF) was associated with MACE (P < 0.001) and receiver operating characteristics curve (ROC) analysis indicated good predictive performance of RV EF for MACE (area under the ROC = 0.834). RV EF operated independently of LV EF or LGE extent for predicting MACE. In addition, the presence of LGE in RV was independently associated with MACE (P = 0.011), and a combined analysis of RV EF and RV LGE showed better risk stratification for MACE (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Both RV EF and LGE were independently associated with MACE and enhanced risk stratification in patients with suspected CS. CMR may be a useful tool for detecting myocardial function and fibrosis in both the LV and RV.

TNF-alpha inhibition for the treatment of cardiac sarcoidosis

BACKGROUND

Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) inhibitors are increasingly being used for treating refractory cardiac sarcoidosis. There is a theoretical risk, however, that these therapies can worsen heart failure, and reports on efficacy and safety are lacking.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective review of all cardiac sarcoidosis patients seen at Stanford University from 2009 to 2018. Data were collected on patient demographics, diagnostic testing, and treatment outcomes.

RESULTS

We identified 77 cardiac sarcoidosis patients, of which 20 (26%) received TNF-α inhibitor treatment. The majority were treated for progressive heart failure or tachyarrhythmia, along with worsening imaging findings. All TNF-α inhibitor treated patients demonstrated meaningful benefit, as assessed by changes in advanced imaging, echocardiographic measures of cardiac function, and prednisone use.

CONCLUSIONS

A large cohort (n = 77) of cardiac sarcoidosis patients has been treated at Stanford University. Roughly one-fourth of these patients (n = 20) received TNF-α inhibitors. Of these patients, none had worsening heart failure and all saw clinical benefit. These results help support the use of TNF-α inhibitors for the treatment of cardiac sarcoidosis based on real-world evidence and highlight the need for future prospective studies.

Cardiac sarcoidosis: worse pulmonary function due to left ventricular ejection fraction?: A case-control study

Dyspnea and exercise intolerance are usually attributed to pulmonary disease in sarcoidosis patients. However, cardiac involvement may also be responsible for these symptoms. Data regarding the impact of heart involvement on lung function in cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) is limited.The aim of study was to compare the results of pulmonary function tests (PFTs) in patients with and without heart involvement. We performed a retrospective analysis of PFTs in a group of sarcoidosis patients both with and without heart involvement evaluated by cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) study. The study was performed in the period between May 2008 and April 2016.We included data of sarcoidosis patients who underwent testing for possible CS (including CMR study) at a national tertiary referral center for patients with interstitial lung diseases. All patients had histopathologicaly confirmed sarcoidosis and underwent standard evaluation with PFTs measurements including spirometry, plethysmography, lung transfer factor (TL,CO), and 6-minute walking test (6MWT) assessed using the most recent predicted values.We identified 255 sarcoidosis patients (93 women, age 42 ± 10.7 y): 103 with CS and 152 without CS (controls). CS patients had significantly lower left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF; 56.9 ± 7.0 vs 60.4 ± 5.4, P < .001). Any type of lung dysfunction was seen in 63% of CS patients compared with 31% in the controls (P = .005). Ventilatory disturbances (obstructive or restrictive pattern) and low TL,CO were more frequent in CS group (52% vs 23%, P < .001 and 38% vs 18% P < .01 respectively). CS (OR = 2.13, 95% CI: 1.11-4.07, P = .02), stage of the disease (OR = 3.13, 95% CI: 1.4-7.0, P = .006) and LVEF (coefficient = -0.068 ± 0.027, P = .011) were independent factors associated with low FEV1 but not low TL,CO. There was a significant correlation between LVEF and FEV1 in CS group (r = 0.31, n = 89, P = .003). No significant difference in 6MWD between CS patients and controls was observed.Lung function impairment was more frequent in CS. Lower LVEF was associated with decreased values of FEV1. Relatively poor lung function may be an indication of cardiac sarcoidosis.

Assessment of the 2017 AHA/ACC/HRS Guideline Recommendations for Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator Implantation in Cardiac Sarcoidosis

BACKGROUND

Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators are used to prevent sudden cardiac death in patients with cardiac sarcoidosis. The most recent recommendations for implantable cardioverter-defibrillator implantation in these patients are in the 2017 American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology/Heart Rhythm Society Guideline for Management of Patients With Ventricular Arrhythmias and the Prevention of Sudden Cardiac Death. These recommendations, based on observational studies or expert opinion, have not been assessed. We aimed to assess them.

METHODS

We performed a large retrospective cohort study of patients with biopsy-proven sarcoidosis and known or suspected cardiac sarcoidosis that underwent cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging. Patients were followed for a composite end point of significant ventricular arrhythmia or sudden cardiac death. The discriminatory performance of the Guideline recommendations was tested using time-dependent receiver operating characteristic analyses. The optimal cutoff for the extent of late gadolinium enhancement predictive of the composite end point was determined using the Youden index.

RESULTS

In 290 patients, the class I and IIa recommendations identified all patients who experienced the composite end point during a median follow-up of 3.0 years. Patients meeting class I recommendations had a significantly higher incidence of the composite end point than those meeting class IIa recommendations. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) >35% with >5.7% late gadolinium enhancement on cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging was as sensitive as and significantly more specific than LVEF >35% with any late gadolinium enhancement. Patients meeting 2 class IIa recommendations, LVEF >35% with the need for a permanent pacemaker and LVEF >35% with late gadolinium enhancement >5.7%, had high annualized event rates. Excluding 2 class IIa recommendations, LVEF >35% with syncope and LVEF >35% with inducible ventricular arrhythmia, resulted in improved discrimination for the composite end point.

CONCLUSIONS

We assessed the Guideline recommendations for implantable cardioverter-defibrillator implantation in patients with known or suspected cardiac sarcoidosis and identified topics for future research.

Atrial Arrhythmias and Atrial Involvement in Cardiac Sarcoidosis

Severe ventricular arrhythmias such as high-grade atrioventricular block and ventricular tachycardia may cause lethal conditions or sudden death in patients with cardiac sarcoidosis (CS). Physicians should examine patients carefully for these conditions and treat them appropriately. As arrhythmias are being better diagnosed and treated, physicians are increasingly aware of atrial arrhythmias, which have not been focused upon as CS-related conditions, in patients with CS. This article reports a case of atrial flutter in sarcoidosis, and discusses literature findings on atrial arrhythmias and atrial involvement of CS. It is highly likely that atrial arrhythmia and supraventricular conduction disorder associated with or caused by CS are more common than previously thought. Physicians should pay careful attention for these conditions in the diagnosis and treatment of CS.

Diagnosing complications and co-morbidities of fibrotic interstitial lung disease

Introduction: Interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) represent a heterogeneous group of rare disorders that include more than 200 entities, mostly associated with high mortality. In recent years, the progress regarding the understanding of the pathogenesis of these diseases led to the approval of specific treatments. In ILDs, the presence of comorbidities has a significant impact on the quality of life and the survival of patients and, therefore, their diagnosis and treatment has a pivotal role in management and could improve overall outcome. Areas covered: We discuss key diagnostic issues with regard to the most frequent comorbidities in ILDs. Treatment options are also discussed as the decision to investigate more definitively in order to identify specific comorbidities (including lung cancer, pulmonary hypertension, GE reflux, and obstructive sleep apnoea) is critically dependent upon whether comorbidity-specific treatments are likely to be helpful in individual patients, judged on a case by case basis. Expert opinion: The extent to which clinicians proactively pursue the identification of comorbidities depends on realistic treatment goals in individual patients.

Advanced Imaging in Cardiac Sarcoidosis

Sarcoidosis is a chronic disease of unknown etiology characterized by the presence of noncaseating granulomas. Cardiac involvement in sarcoidosis may lead to adverse outcomes such as advanced heart block, arrhythmias, cardiomyopathy, or death. Cardiac sarcoidosis can occur in patients with established sarcoidosis, or it can be the sole manifestation of the disease. Traditional diagnostic techniques, including echocardiography, have poor sensitivity for diagnosing cardiac sarcoidosis. The accumulating evidence supports the essential role of advanced cardiac imaging modalities such as MRI and PET in diagnosis, risk stratification, and management of patients with cardiac sarcoidosis. The current review highlights important theoretic and practical aspects of using cardiac imaging tools in the evaluation of patients with suspected or established cardiac sarcoidosis.

Myocardial Involvement in Patients With Histologically Diagnosed Cardiac Sarcoidosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Gross Pathological Images From Autopsy or Cardiac Transplantation Cases

Background In patients with suspected cardiac sarcoidosis, late gadolinium enhancement on cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging and/or 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose uptake on positron emission tomography are often used to reach a clinical diagnosis of cardiac sarcoidosis. On the basis of data from the imaging literature of clinical cardiac sarcoidosis, no specific features of myocardial involvement are regarded as pathognomonic for cardiac sarcoidosis. Thus, a diagnosis of cardiac sarcoidosis is challenging to make. There has been no systematic analysis of histologically diagnosed cardiac sarcoidosis for patterns of myocardial involvement. We hypothesized that certain patterns of myocardial involvement are more frequent in histologically diagnosed cardiac sarcoidosis. Methods and Results We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of gross pathological images from the published literature of patients with histologically diagnosed cardiac sarcoidosis who underwent autopsy or cardiac transplantation. Thirty-three eligible articles provided images of 49 unique hearts. Analysis of these hearts revealed certain features of myocardial involvement in >90% of cases: left ventricular (LV) subepicardial, LV multifocal, septal, and right ventricular free wall involvement. In contrast, other patterns were seen in 0% to 6% of cases: absence of gross LV myocardial involvement, isolated LV midmyocardial involvement, isolated LV subendocardial involvement, isolated LV transmural involvement, absence of septal involvement, or isolated involvement of only one LV level. Conclusions In this systematic review and meta-analysis of histologically diagnosed cardiac sarcoidosis, we identified certain features of myocardial involvement that occurred frequently and others that occurred rarely or never. These patterns could aid the interpretation of cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography imaging and improve the diagnosis and the prognostication of patients with suspected cardiac sarcoidosis.

Quantifying the relationship between symptoms at presentation and the prognosis of sarcoidosis

BACKGROUND

Although it is the general consensus that sarcoidosis patients who present with sarcoidosis-related symptoms have a worse outcome than patients whose disease is detected incidentally without symptoms, this premise has not been rigorously examined.

METHODS

Consecutive patients followed longitudinally at one US university sarcoidosis clinic were questioned concerning the onset and description of sarcoidosis-related symptoms at disease presentation. The patients were classified into those with no sarcoidosis-related symptoms at presentation (NSP group) and those with symptoms at presentation (SP group). The following outcomes were examined in the NSP and SP groups: most recent spirometry, organ involvement, need for sarcoidosis therapy, most recent health related quality of life (HRQOL) as measured by the Sarcoidosis Assessment Tool (SAT), most recent chest imaging Scadding stage results.

RESULTS

660 sarcoidosis patients were analyzed, with 175 in the NSP group and 485 in the SP group. Compared to the NSP group, the SP group had a more frequent requirement for any sarcoidosis treatment, corticosteroid treatment, and non-corticosteroid treatment at some time and within the most recent year of follow up (at least 50% more than the NP group with strong statistical differences with p values all 0.01 or less). In addition, the SP group had significantly more organ involvement (p < 0.001) and several worse SAT domains (p < 0.022) than the NP group. There were no differences between the groups in terms of final spirometry or development of Scadding stage 4 chest radiographs. These findings held even after adjusting for age, sex, race, and time between presentation and the most recent follow-up visit using a multivariable logistic regression framework.

CONCLUSIONS

In our sarcoidosis cohort, compared to the absence of symptoms at presentation, the presence of symptoms was associated with a greater need for treatment, more organ involvement, and worse HRQOL.

Advanced cardiovascular imaging for the evaluation of cardiac sarcoidosis

Cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) remains an intriguing infiltrating disorder and one of the most important forms of inflammatory cardiomyopathy. Identification of patients with CS is of extreme importance because they are at higher risk of sudden death, and heart-failure progression. And while it remains a diagnostic conundrum, a great amount of experience has been accumulated over the last decade with the advent of fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography and cardiac magnetic resonance with late gadolinium enhancement imaging. They have both proven to be advanced imaging techniques that provide important, and often complementary, diagnostic and prognostic information for the management of CS. However, they have also shown to have limitations, and, thus, there is a continued need for developing more specific imaging probes for identifying cardiac inflammation. The aim of the present manuscript is to provide the reader with a better understanding of the histopathology of the disease, how this potentially relates to noninvasive imaging detection, and the best strategies available for the diagnosis and management of patients with CS.

Heterogeneity of myocardial 2-[18F]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose uptake is a typical feature in cardiac sarcoidosis: a study of 231 patients

Aims

The goal of the investigation was to evaluate whether a semi-quantitative method reflecting myocardial 2-[18F]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG) uptake heterogeneity has added value in addition to visual analysis in the diagnosis of cardiac sarcoidosis (CS).

Methods and results

This retrospective analysis included 271 consecutive patients suspected of CS attending cardiac positron emission tomography combined with computed tomography (PET-CT) at our institution between 2007 and 2013. Visual analysis of PET-CT and semi-quantitative analysis of heterogeneity [coefficient of variation (CoV)] of myocardial FDG uptake were performed. The presence of CS and initial symptoms were verified from patient data. The criteria for CS included histological verification from the myocardium or from an extracardiac site. Thirty cancer patients without cardiac disease were included as controls. CS was diagnosed in 48/231 (20.8%) of analysed patients. Of these, 13 (27.1%) had no extracardial signs of the disease and 30 (62.5%) had FDG positive mediastinal lymph nodes. Visual analysis of PET-CT identified 48.9% of the CS patients. We found a cut-off value of 0.184 for CoV to have the best accuracy to detect CS from a patient population with suspected CS (75.0% sensitivity and 51.4% specificity). Compared to controls, CoV identified CS patients with a good accuracy (68.8% sensitivity and 93.3% specificity). CS patients with FDG positive mediastinal lymph nodes had higher CoV than CS patients without lymph node involvement (0.282 vs. 0.208, P = 0.016). CS patients with more severe initial symptoms had a higher CoV than patients with more benign symptoms (0.283 vs. 0.195, P = 0.01).

Conclusion

CoV provides a good addition to visual analysis of cardiac FDG PET-CT in diagnosis of CS. As a semi-quantitative measure, it reduces intra-observer variability. It also seems to indicate more severe disease, but to confirm this, prospective studies are needed.

Use of 18F-FDG PET/CT texture analysis to diagnose cardiac sarcoidosis

PURPOSE

¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglocose positron emission tomography (FDG PET) plays a significant role in the diagnosis of cardiac sarcoidosis (CS). Texture analysis is a group of computational methods for evaluating the inhomogeneity among adjacent pixels or voxels. We investigated whether texture analysis applied to myocardial FDG uptake has diagnostic value in patients with CS.

METHODS

Thirty-seven CS patients (CS group), and 52 patients who underwent FDG PET/CT to detect malignant tumors with any FDG cardiac uptake (non-CS group) were studied. A total of 36 texture features from the histogram, gray-level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM), gray-level run length matrix (GLRLM), gray-level zone size matrix (GLZSM) and neighborhood gray-level difference matrix (NGLDM), were computed using polar map images. First, the inter-operator and inter-scan reproducibility of the texture features of the CS group were evaluated. Then, texture features of the patients with CS were compared to those without CS lesions.

RESULTS

Twenty-eight of the 36 texture features showed high inter-operator reproducibility with intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) over 0.80. In addition, 17 of the 36 showed high inter-scan reproducibility with ICCs over 0.80. The SUVmax showed no difference between the CS and non-CS group [7.36 ± 2.77 vs. 8.78 ± 4.65, p = 0.45, area under the curve (AUC) = 0.60]. By contrast, 16 of the 36 texture features could distinguish CS from non-CS grsoup with AUC > 0.80. Multivariate logistic regression analysis after hierarchical clustering concluded that long-run emphasis (LRE; P = 0.0004) and short-run low gray-level emphasis (SRLGE; P = 0.016) were significant independent factors that could distinguish between the CS and non-CS groups. Specifically, LRE was significantly higher in CS than in non-CS (30.1 ± 25.4 vs. 11.4 ± 4.6, P < 0.0001), with high diagnostic ability (AUC = 0.91), and had high inter-operator reproducibility (ICC = 0.98).

CONCLUSIONS

The texture analysis had high inter-operator and high inter-scan reproducibility. Some of texture features showed higher diagnostic value than SUVmax for CS diagnosis. Therefore, texture analysis may have a role in semi-automated systems for diagnosing CS.

Differential diagnosis of thickened myocardium: an illustrative MRI review

Objectives

The purpose of this article is to describe the key cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features to differentiate hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) phenotypes from other causes of myocardial thickening that may mimic them.

Conclusions

Many causes of myocardial thickening may mimic different HCM phenotypes. The unique ability of cardiac MRI to facilitate tissue characterisation may help to establish the aetiology of myocardial thickening, which is essential to differentiate it from HCM phenotypes and for appropriate management.

Teaching points

• Many causes of myocardial thickening may mimic different HCM phenotypes.

• Differential diagnosis between myocardial thickening aetiology and HCM phenotypes may be challenging.

• Cardiac MRI is essential to differentiate the aetiology of myocardial thickening from HCM phenotypes.

Ventricular Arrhythmias in Cardiac Sarcoidosis

The diagnosis of cardiac sarcoidosis (CS), especially in cases where there is limited or no extracardiac involvement, is challenging. Patients with CS are at increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. Several techniques for risk stratification for sudden cardiac death have been proposed in this population, including advanced cardiac imaging and electrophysiology study. Clinical ventricular arrhythmias in patients with CS may be treated with immunosuppressant therapy, antiarrhythmic drugs, catheter ablation, or implantable cardioverter-defibrillator placement. This article will provide an update on techniques for diagnosing CS, risk stratifying patients with CS for sudden cardiac death, and treating patients with CS with ventricular arrhythmias, focusing on evidence that has become available since publication of the 2014 Heart Rhythm Society Expert Consensus Statement on the Diagnosis and Management of Arrhythmias Associated With Cardiac Sarcoidosis.

Cardiac sarcoidosis: Diagnosis confirmation by bronchoalveolar lavage and lung biopsy

INTRODUCTION

The diagnosis of cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) is difficult to ascertain due to the insensitivity of endomyocardial biopsy. Current diagnostic criteria require a positive endomyocardial biopsy or extra-cardiac biopsy with clinical features suggestive of CS. Common tests for diagnosis of pulmonary sarcoidosis include bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), lung and mediastinal lymph node (MLN) biopsies. Our objective was to determine the diagnostic utility of these tests in patients with suspected CS and without prior history of pulmonary involvement.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study included 37 patients without history of extra-cardiac sarcoidosis referred for suspected CS. All patients underwent chest computed tomography (CT) staged using the modified Scadding criteria, and had BAL, and/or lung or MLN biopsy. BAL cellular analyses with lymphocytes>15% and/or CD4/CD8 ratio≥ 4 were considered suggestive of sarcoidosis. The number of positive biopsies and BALs were compared between normal CT (Scadding stage 0) and abnormal CT (Scadding stage 1-4) groups.

RESULTS

A definitive diagnosis of sarcoidosis was ascertained in 18/31 (58%) patients undergoing lung or lymph node biopsy, and a potential diagnosis in 18/27 (67%) patients with BAL CD4/CD8>4 or lymphocytes>15%. Of the 12 patients in the normal CT group, 4/10 (40%) had positive lung biopsies, and 9/12 (75%) patients had either positive biopsy or BAL criteria.

CONCLUSIONS

In suspected cardiac sarcoidosis, a diagnosis of extra-cardiac sarcoidosis was ascertained in a majority of patients irrespective of degree of lung involvement on chest CT. Our results support referral for pulmonary biopsy/bronchoalveolar lavage in suspected CS to confirm the diagnosis of sarcoidosis.

Cardiac Involvement in Sarcoidosis Deaths in Wayne County, Michigan: A 20-Year Retrospective Study

BACKGROUND

Sarcoidosis is a disease of unknown etiology characterized by the formation of noncaseating, nonnecrotizing granulomas in various organ systems.

METHODS

Reviews of 84 cases of natural death with sarcoidosis between the years 1996 and 2017 autopsied at Wayne County.

RESULTS

The median age of decedents was 44 years (29 - 59 years of age). Blacks comprised 95% of the cohort, and 52% were female. Sarcoidosis or direct sequelae were the cause of death in 79% of cases. Twenty-nine percent of patients had a documented history of sarcoidosis and 70% of patients had evidence of systemic sarcoidosis. The most common sites of involvement were lungs or hilar lymph nodes (92%), heart (45%), liver (39%), and spleen (30%). Decedents with cardiac involvement were more likely to have no documented history of sarcoidosis (87% vs. 59%, p=0.004), more likely to have died of a sarcoidosis-related cause (97% vs. 65%, p<0.001), and died at a younger mean age (41 years vs. 46 years, p=0.001). In addition, individuals with cardiac involvement commonly had concurrent multiorgan involvement including lungs (90%), lymph nodes (38%), liver (40%), spleen (32%), and kidneys (7%).

CONCLUSIONS

Cardiac sarcoidosis is a uniquely poor prognostic factor and carries an increased risk of sudden death as shown by a disproportionate representation among medical examiner cases of sarcoidosis. Our findings suggest that approximately 40% may have asymptomatic cardiac involvement. The distribution of sarcoidosis within our cohort suggests that there is potentially a large undiagnosed and/or underdiagnosed demographic within large urban centers, such as Detroit, Michigan.