Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 3, 2026
04:44
Imaging Features of Systemic Sclerosis-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease
Published on: June 16, 2020
21.1K
Cardiac involvement in cutaneous sarcoidosis
Francesco Drago1, Giulia Ciccarese2, Giuseppe Cittadini3
1Section of Dermatology, Department of Health Sciences, Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy.
Summary
Cardiac sarcoidosis, though rare in skin sarcoidosis patients, can be fatal. Early cardiac screening is recommended for all cutaneous sarcoidosis patients, even if asymptomatic, due to poor prognosis associated with cardiac lesions.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Dermatology
- Immunology
Background:
- Sarcoidosis is a multisystem inflammatory disease with variable prognosis.
- Cardiac involvement in sarcoidosis significantly worsens patient outcomes.
- Cutaneous sarcoidosis is the most common presentation, but cardiac involvement is often overlooked.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of cardiac involvement in patients diagnosed with cutaneous sarcoidosis.
- To assess the utility of cardiac imaging in detecting subclinical cardiac sarcoidosis.
Main Methods:
- Diagnosis of cutaneous sarcoidosis confirmed via skin biopsy, labs, and imaging.
- Cardiac evaluation included electrocardiography, echocardiography, and contrast-enhanced cardiac MRI.
- Study included 13 Caucasian patients with confirmed cutaneous sarcoidosis.
Main Results:
- Cardiac sarcoidosis was identified in only one patient (7.7%) using contrast-enhanced cardiac MRI.
- Despite low prevalence, cardiac involvement can occur in asymptomatic patients with cutaneous sarcoidosis.
Conclusions:
- Cardiac sarcoidosis screening is warranted in patients with cutaneous sarcoidosis, irrespective of symptoms.
- Early detection of cardiac lesions is crucial for improving the prognosis of sarcoidosis patients.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Cardiomyopathy IV: Restrictive Cardiomyopathy
830
Restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM) is a rare heart muscle disease characterized by impaired ventricular filling due to stiffened ventricular walls, leading to significant diastolic dysfunction.EtiologyRestrictive cardiomyopathy can arise from both inherited and acquired diseases, many of which are systemic. It is categorized into four main types: infiltrative, storage, non-infiltrative, and endomyocardial diseases.Infiltrative diseases, such as amyloidosis, lead to RCM by depositing amyloid...
830
01:23Rheumatic Heart Disease I: Introduction
881
Rheumatic heart disease or RHD is a chronic condition that results from rheumatic fever, causing permanent damage to the heart valves.Etiology and Risk FactorsIt primarily arises from rheumatic fever, an inflammatory disease that can develop after untreated or inadequately treated group A streptococcal (GAS) pharyngitis. Streptococcus spreads through direct contact with oral or respiratory secretions. While the bacteria are the causative agents, factors like malnutrition, overcrowding, poor...
881
01:25Endocarditis II: Clinical Features of Infective Endocarditis
801
Endocarditis can present various clinical features depending on the causative organism and the patient's underlying health conditions. Initially, the clinical features of infective endocarditis develop gradually, presenting with nonspecific symptoms that can be easily mistaken for other illnesses.General SymptomsEarly symptoms of infective endocarditis are fever, chills, weakness, malaise, fatigue, and weight loss. These symptoms reflect the systemic nature of the infection and the body's...
801
01:29Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
718
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or HCM, is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder characterized by asymmetric left ventricular hypertrophy without ventricular dilation. It is more common in men and is typically diagnosed in young, athletic adults.EtiologyHCM is primarily genetic and is caused by mutations in genes encoding sarcomeric proteins. Researchers have identified over 1400 mutations across at least 11 different genes. Among these, the most frequently occurring mutations are found in the...
718
01:23Skin Diseases and Disorders
6.2K
Skin is the first line of defense and encounters a variety of microbes. Some pathogenic strains are often the cause of a broad range of infections of the skin and other body systems. These conditions can affect people of all ages and may have different causes, including genetic factors, infections, autoimmune reactions, environmental factors, and lifestyle choices.
Gram-positive Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. are responsible for many of the most common skin infections. However, many...
Gram-positive Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. are responsible for many of the most common skin infections. However, many...
6.2K
01:22Rheumatic Heart Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
1.0K
The key clinical manifestations of Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) include several distinct cardiac symptoms.Carditis, a hallmark of acute rheumatic fever, involves inflammation of the heart's endocardium, myocardium, and pericardium. Chronic RHD often results from recurrent episodes of carditis. Its symptoms include the following:Murmurs are caused by valvular damage, especially to the mitral and aortic valves. Mitral stenosis or regurgitation is common, with characteristic heart murmurs...
1.0K