Key result
Systemic sarcoidosis can initially manifest as refractory ventricular tachycardia without prior systemic symptoms, and may be fatal if unresponsive to medical therapy.
Case Report (n=1)
No
Cardiac sarcoidosis should be considered in patients presenting with unexplained ventricular tachycardia, as it can be the initial manifestation and carries a high risk of sudden cardiac death.
Cardiac sarcoidosis merits consideration in unexplained refractory VT; case report leaves open optimal diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
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.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Ekka et al. (2013) conducted a case report in Cardiac sarcoidosis presenting as ventricular tachycardia (n=1). Corticosteroids and antiarrhythmic drugs was evaluated on Clinical outcome. Systemic sarcoidosis can initially manifest as refractory ventricular tachycardia without prior systemic symptoms, and may be fatal if unresponsive to medical therapy.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: