Cardiac sarcoidosis concealed by arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia/cardiomyopathy

Nat Clin Pract Cardiovasc Med. 2008 Apr;5(4):231-6. doi: 10.1038/ncpcardio1146.

Abstract

Background: A 37-year-old male with a history of palpitations and ventricular tachycardia was diagnosed with arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia/cardiomyopathy on the basis of clinical assessment, electrocardiography and echocardiography. Over the following 3 years the patient progressed to end-stage heart failure and eventually underwent heart transplantation. Histological analysis of the explanted heart revealed the presence of numerous noncaseating granulomas.

Investigations: Electrocardiography, echocardiography, 24 h Holter monitoring, cardiac MRI, coronary angiography, endomyocardial biopsy, exercise testing, electrophysiological study, laboratory examinations and histological examination of the explanted heart.

Diagnosis: Cardiac sarcoidosis.

Management: Immunosupressive and corticosteroid therapy. Routine endomyocardial biopsy is planned.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia / diagnosis
  • Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia / etiology*
  • Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia / surgery
  • Biopsy
  • Coronary Angiography
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Electrocardiography, Ambulatory
  • Exercise Test
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Glucocorticoids / therapeutic use
  • Heart Transplantation / methods
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Sarcoidosis / complications*
  • Sarcoidosis / diagnosis
  • Sarcoidosis / drug therapy

Substances

  • Glucocorticoids
  • Immunosuppressive Agents