Sarcoidosis Presenting With Ventricular Tachycardia
Sarcoidosis Presenting With Ventricular Tachycardia
Introduction Symptomatic cardiac involvement is seen in less than 5% of all cases of sarcoidosis. Although clinically apparent cardiac sarcoidosis is an uncommon entity, ventricular tachyarrhythmias as the first presenting symptom are very rare.
Case presentation We discuss the case of a 41-year-old Asian woman who presented to our hospital with intermittent palpitation and on evaluation was diagnosed to have systemic sarcoidosis with cardiac involvement. She was started on multiple antiarrhythmic drugs and corticosteroids without any satisfactory response.
Conclusions Our case report indicates that sarcoidosis can manifest as ventricular tachycardia without any detectable systemic findings. This makes sarcoidosis an important diagnostic consideration in patients with ventricular tachycardia of unknown origin given the high mortality associated with ventricular tachyarrhythmias.
Sarcoidosis is a multisystem granulomatous disorder of unknown etiology that mainly affects the lungs, skin, eyes, and lymphoreticular system, with cardiac involvement being a rare entity. A recent review of sarcoidosis placed cardiac involvement at 2%; it is one of the least common manifestations. However, cardiac involvement may be an asymptomatic accompaniment to pulmonary disease or may be the presenting features of systemic sarcoidosis. Cardiac involvement with sarcoidosis is found at autopsy in approximately 25% of patients with the disease; however, only 2 to 5% of all patients with sarcoidosis have clinically significant cardiac symptoms such as congestive heart failure, heart block, ventricular arrhythmia, or sudden death.
Although the disease can manifest itself with comparatively benign signs and symptoms, cardiac involvement can prove to be fatal. The early identification and prompt treatment of cardiac sarcoidosis can reduce the chances of sudden cardiac death. Here we present the rare case of a patient who had no history of systemic sarcoidosis before she presented with refractory monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (VT) with a fatal outcome. In our case report we would like to draw attention to the importance of ruling out cardiac involvement in any cases with systemic sarcoidosis to prevent unfavorable outcomes.
Abstract and Introduction
Abstract
Introduction Symptomatic cardiac involvement is seen in less than 5% of all cases of sarcoidosis. Although clinically apparent cardiac sarcoidosis is an uncommon entity, ventricular tachyarrhythmias as the first presenting symptom are very rare.
Case presentation We discuss the case of a 41-year-old Asian woman who presented to our hospital with intermittent palpitation and on evaluation was diagnosed to have systemic sarcoidosis with cardiac involvement. She was started on multiple antiarrhythmic drugs and corticosteroids without any satisfactory response.
Conclusions Our case report indicates that sarcoidosis can manifest as ventricular tachycardia without any detectable systemic findings. This makes sarcoidosis an important diagnostic consideration in patients with ventricular tachycardia of unknown origin given the high mortality associated with ventricular tachyarrhythmias.
Introduction
Sarcoidosis is a multisystem granulomatous disorder of unknown etiology that mainly affects the lungs, skin, eyes, and lymphoreticular system, with cardiac involvement being a rare entity. A recent review of sarcoidosis placed cardiac involvement at 2%; it is one of the least common manifestations. However, cardiac involvement may be an asymptomatic accompaniment to pulmonary disease or may be the presenting features of systemic sarcoidosis. Cardiac involvement with sarcoidosis is found at autopsy in approximately 25% of patients with the disease; however, only 2 to 5% of all patients with sarcoidosis have clinically significant cardiac symptoms such as congestive heart failure, heart block, ventricular arrhythmia, or sudden death.
Although the disease can manifest itself with comparatively benign signs and symptoms, cardiac involvement can prove to be fatal. The early identification and prompt treatment of cardiac sarcoidosis can reduce the chances of sudden cardiac death. Here we present the rare case of a patient who had no history of systemic sarcoidosis before she presented with refractory monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (VT) with a fatal outcome. In our case report we would like to draw attention to the importance of ruling out cardiac involvement in any cases with systemic sarcoidosis to prevent unfavorable outcomes.