Cardiac sarcoidosis responding to monotherapy with infliximab.
Cardiac involvement is a rare and potentially life-threatening complication of sarcoidosis. We report the case of a young previously healthy woman who presented with complete atrioventricular heart block. Further evaluation revealed non-caseating granulomas in the hilar and mediastinal regions. A pacemaker was inserted, and she was treated with four doses of infliximab after she refused treatment with steroids. Rapid resolution of the pulmonary lymph nodes was documented and repeated interrogations of the pacemaker 1 year after her last infliximab infusion documented that she was in sinus rhythm. Infliximab may be considered as an alternative first-line therapy in sarcoidosis with serious organ involvement.
Uthman
Imad
I
Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, P.O. Box 113-6044, Hamra Street, Beirut, 1103 2090, Lebanon. iuthman@aub.edu.lb
Touma
Zahi
Z
Khoury
Maurice
M
D000328:Adult; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009202:Cardiomyopathies / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000178:diet therapy; D005260:Female; D006327:Heart Block / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D000069285:Infliximab; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology; D009206:Myocardium / Q000473:pathology; D012507:Sarcoidosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D000069285:Infliximab