title: Cardiac electrophysiological assessment in patients with sarcoidosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Sarcoidosis is a multisystem granulomatous disease of unknown origin that can cause sudden death.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Electrophysiological evaluation of patients with suspected sarcoidosis with cardiac involvement.
  
  
  METHODS
  We studied 22 patients with mean age of 55.32 ± 13.13 years, diagnosed with sarcoidosis and suspected cardiac involvement. These patients underwent clinical evaluation, laboratory tests, electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, 24-hour Holter, technetium or gallium scintigraphy and electrophysiological study. In selected cases, we performed positron emission tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. Patients were followed up in the outpatient care service with quarterly visits.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cardiac involvement was confirmed in four (18.2%) patients. Ventricular extrasystoles with density > 100/24 h were documented in 24-Holter monitoring in 12 (54.5%) patients. Electrophysiological studies revealed an increased HV interval in seven patients (31.8%) and increased Wenckebach point in four (18.2%) patients. There was induction of atrial fibrillation in seven patients (31.8%) and sustained ventricular tachycardia in one patient (4.5%). Four patients with confirmed cardiac sarcoidosis had documented ventricular extrasystoles with density > 100/24 h. Out of these, two had prolonged HV interval and atrial fibrillation was induced in two of them. Sustained ventricular tachycardia was not induced in any of these patients. After mean follow-up period of 20.9 ± 15.7 months, one patient with cardiac sarcoidosis had sudden death.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients with sarcoidosis and suspected cardiac involvement have a high prevalence of ventricular extrasystoles (VEs) and conduction system disorders.
authors.affiliation: Hospital do Servidor Público Estadual, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. jcurimbaba@cardiol.br
authors.forename: Jefferson
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Curimbaba
authors.forename: Silvia Carla Souza
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Rodrigues
authors.forename: José Marcos
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Moreira
authors.forename: Lenine Ângelo Alves
authors.initials: LÂ
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Carlos Alberto de Castro
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.forename: João
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pimenta
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000503:physiopathology; D054849:Cardiac Electrophysiology; D009202:Cardiomyopathies / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016757:Death, Sudden, Cardiac / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006329:Heart Conduction System / Q000002:abnormalities; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012507:Sarcoidosis / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012737:Sex Factors; D013997:Time Factors