ABSTRACT

Cardiac Sarcoidosis (CS) is a rare and deceptive disease affecting young adults with catastrophic results including life threatening arrhythmia, congestive heart failure and even sudden death as the initial presentation. CS has been linked to a significant high morbidity & mortality. We present two patients: The first patient with an initial cardiac event that led us to a diagnosis of Pulmonary and Cardiac Sarcoidosis. A second patient, who was diagnosed initially with pulmonary Sarcoidosis, presented with a severe heart conduction abnormality. Both patients were successfully treated with permanent pacemakers. The dual purpose of our study is first to emphasize the importance of follow up on patients with Non-Cardiac Sarcoidosis for cardiac involvement and secondly to increase awareness of CS as part of a differential diagnosis among young adults with unexplained arrhythmia.

Keywords:

Heart Conduction System, Complete AV Block, Pulmonary Sarcoidosis, Cardiac Sarcoidosis

1. Introduction

Sarcoidosis is a rare, multisystem, granulomatous disease of unknown etiology that most often affects the lungs (over 90%), skin, eyes, and lymphoreticular system [1] [2] . Non-caseating granulomas are the pathological hallmark of Sarcoidosis [3] . The disease manifests itself worldwide, without regard to gender, age and ethnicity [4] [5] [6] [7] . Although it usually develops before the age of 50, the incidence rate displays a biphasic pattern with the first peak between the ages of 25 - 39 and the second between the ages of 60 - 64 [8] [9] . Cardiac involvement in Sarcoidosis occurs in 20% - 30% of the patients [10] .

Despite its association with high rates of mortality, sole involvement of the heart is estimate at being 2% - 5% of the documented cases, and has the lowest incident manifestation. CS manifestations include conduction disorders, arrhythmias, Atrial and Ventricular arrhythmias, congestive heart failure, valvular pathology, pericardial effusions and sudden cardiac death [11] [12] .

The most frequently involved region is the left ventricular free wall, followed by the interventricular septum, often with involvement of the conducting system. ‎ The most specific characteristic feature of CS in echocardiogram is interventricular thinning [13] .

Less than 5% of patients die from Sarcoidosis. While Sarcoidosis is not commonly fatal, cardiac involvement may be responsible for more than two-thirds of deaths. In Japan, cardiac involvement is more common in older women and responsible for as many as 85% of deaths [14] .

Cardiac involvement in patients with Sarcoidosis is increasingly recognized as being associated with a poor prognosis [15] .

Early screening for cardiac involvement in patients with known Sarcoidosisin other organ systems is crucial, especially because sudden death may be the first manifestation of CS and prompt treatment can reduce its risk [16] .

It is recommended to carry out a detailed clinical history to identify cardiac symptoms (including syncope, pre-syncope or palpitations), a 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) and an echocardiogram.

Further screening is advised if any of the initial screening investigations yield an abnormality; cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) or fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) [17] [18] .

Screening for cardiac involvement in specific clinical presentations in patients without known Sarcoidosis, can also identify CS patients early in their disease course. A clinical diagnosis of CS is critically important in the planning of therapeutic strategy.

2. Patients and Materials

We describe two CS patients with an initial presentation of a heart conduction abnormality.

2.1. Case I

A 43-year-old male, without known chronic illnesses brought to Emergency Room after syncope. The patient denied preliminary complains, previously similar events or decrease in functional capacity. Initial ECG showed prolonged non-conducted P waves indicating complete atrioventricular block (Figure 1―Strip ECG shows Prolonged Non-Conducted P waves (black Arrows) indicate complete atrioventricular block). Temporarily pacemaker was placed. A quick preliminary inquiry eliminates an ischemic cause and electrolytes imbalance. On chest X-Ray there was a suspicion of fullness on hila of the lungs. Computed tomography of the chest reveled bilateral mediastinal lymph nodes enlargement (Figure 2―CT scan of the chest showing bilateral lymph nodes

enlargement (red arrows) in the mediastinum). Gallium (⁶⁸Ga) PET scan indicated multiple foci of increased uptake on mediastinum and axillae, highly suspicious to Sarcoidosis with Cardiac Involvement (Figure 3―Gallium PET scan showed multiple foci of increased uptake on mediastinum and axillae (black arrows)).The Final diagnosis of Sarcoidosis was established by mediastinal lymph node biopsy showing non-caseating epithelioid cell granulomas of sarcoidosis (Figure 4―Mediastinal Lymph node biopsy indicate noncaseating epithelioid cell granulomas (center of image) of sarcoidosis (H & E staining)).

2.2. Case II

A 58-year-old female who was recently diagnosed with pulmonary Sarcoidosis based on chest CT finding indicated bihilar and mediastinal lymph nodes enlargement (Figure 5―CT scan of the chest showing bihilar and mediastinal

lymph nodes enlargement (red arrows)) and high level of serum Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE). The patient brought to emergency room after complaining on prolonged fatigue and dizziness and recurrent episodes of pre-syncope for the last several weeks. Initial 12 leads ECG revealed complete atrioventricular block (Figure 6―12 leads ECG show multiple non-conducted P waves (black arrows) with ventricular escape rhythm indicate complete atrioventricular block). Initial lab results showed modest increase in cardiac enzymes but near normal coronary angiography dismissed ischemic cause. On Electrophysiological study there was no evidence of inducible tachyarrhythmia which eventually lead us to suspect cardiac involvement of Pulmonary Sarcoidosis. Patients was treated by a permanent pacemaker (Figure 7―Chest X-ray image show bihilar lymph nodes enlargement (red arrows) and dual camber pacemaker with leads in right atria & ventricle (red circles)). Follow up revealed no further episodes.

3. Summary and Conclusions

We describe two patients with Cardiac Sarcoidosis, initially presenting with a high degree of AV block requiring pacemaker therapy. The diagnosis of CS for the first patient was established during recent events. For the second case cardiac involvement in patient with pulmonary sarcoidosis was diagnosed due to new conduction disturbances.

Our recommendation, supported by the literature, is to preform early screening for cardiac involvement on patients with Sarcoidosis taking a detailed clinical history, a 12-lead ECG and echocardiogram. If necessary other modalities such as Cardiac MRI may also be performed.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this paper.

Cite this paper

Yahalom, M., Koren, O. and Turgeman, Y. (2018) High Degree Atrioventricular Block Complicated Cardiac Sarcoidosis: Case Report. World Journal of Cardiovascular Surgery, 8, 157-163. https://doi.org/10.4236/wjcs.2018.89015

References