Steroid pulse therapy was effective for cardiac sarcoidosis with ventricular tachycardia and systolic dysfunction

A 32-year-old man presented with palpitation. He was diagnosed with pulmonary sarcoidosis by lung biopsy. The electrocardiogram showed first-degree atrioventricular block and complete right bundle branch block (CRBBB). We planned to examine laboratory data, echocardiography, Holter monitoring, and gallium-67 scintigraphy. Before he went through all these exams, he developed ventricular tachycardia. After defibrillation was performed, his electrocardiogram revealed complete atrioventricular block. We observed elevation of serum angiotensin-converting enzyme levels. In addition, both of gallium-67 scintigraphy and ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography showed abnormal uptake in the ventricular septum. We diagnosed the patient with cardiac sarcoidosis associated with these arrhythmias. We started treatment with methylprednisolone pulse therapy (1 g daily). After 3 days of steroid pulse therapy, we administered prednisolone 30 mg daily. On day 15, electrocardiogram changed from complete atrioventricular block to first-degree atrioventricular block and CRBBB. He was discharged with no progression with cardiac sarcoidosis for 2 years.