Sublocalization of Cardiac Involvement in Sarcoidosis and Surgical Exclusion in Patients With Congestive Heart Failure

Endocardial linear infarct exclusion technique for non-ischaemic functional mitral regurgitation caused by cardiac sarcoidosis: a case report

Introduction

Damage to the posterior wall of the left ventricle (LV) can cause tethering mitral regurgitation (MR). We present a patient with non-ischaemic tethering MR and congestive heart failure due to cardiac sarcoidosis who was treated using an endocardial linear infarct exclusion technique.

Case presentation

A 63-year-old woman with a history of uveitis presented to our hospital complaining of dyspnoea. Echocardiography revealed dyskinesis of the posterolateral wall of the LV and severe tethering MR (regurgitation volume: 92 mL). The LV ejection fraction was reduced to 45%. Cardiac catheterization revealed no stenosis. Magnetic resonance imaging with late gadolinium enhancement revealed a contrast effect and thinning of the posteriolateral wall. The abnormal accumulation was also observed with fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography. Together, these findings indicated cardiac sarcoidosis, and we determined that cardiac sarcoidosis had resulted in aneurysm development in the posterior wall of the LV, subsequent advanced tethering at the posterior mitral valve cusp, and severe functional MR. The patient underwent an endocardial linear infarct exclusion technique (ELIET), mitral annuloplasty, tricuspid annuloplasty, and the full MAZE procedure. Histopathological analysis of the posterior wall myocardium revealed marked thinning of the endocardium, replacement fibrosis, lymphocyte infiltration, and epithelialization. These findings were consistent with sarcoidosis. The patient’s condition improved to New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class I, and cardiac events were rare at 6 months after surgery.

Discussion

Endocardial linear infarct exclusion technique is useful for treating tethering MR. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of successful treatment using ELIET for non-ischaemic tethering MR caused by cardiac sarcoidosis.

Prediction of Long-Term Survival in Patients with End-Stage Heart Failure Secondary to Ischemic Heart Disease: Surgical Correction and Volumetric Analysis

PURPOSE

Ischemic heart disease (IHD) may result in lethal conditions such as ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) and mitral regurgitation (MR).

METHODS

We hypothesized preoperative LV volume would be highly associated with long-term survival in such patients. We retrospectively evaluated effects of LV end-systolic volume index (LVESVI) on survival.

RESULTS

Patients were divided into two groups according to LVESVI; Group S (n = 19, <100 ml/m(2)), and L (n = 55, >100 ml/m(2)). There were 74 patients (male 61, female 13; 61 ± 10 y.o.). There was no statistical significance in preoperative parameters, including ejection fraction (EF), severity of MR, severity of tricuspid regurgitation (TR), and right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP). After operation, LVESVI and severity of MR were statistically reduced in both groups. However, EF, severity of TR and RVSP were not statistically alleviated in both groups. In Group S, 5- and 10-year survival rates were 93% and 48%. In Group L, 5- and 10-year survival rates were 50% and 29%. There was a statistical difference in long-term survival between two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative LV volume would be one of the risk factors for long-term survival in patients with congestive heart failure secondary to IHD. Careful follow-up and optimal treatment should be recommended before LV dimension becomes too large.