Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 18, 2026

Imaging Features of Systemic Sclerosis-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease
Published on: June 16, 2020
Cardiac Sarcoidosis Presenting as Acute Progressive Heart Failure with Abdominal Lymphadenopathy
Satoshi Oka1, Ken Umetani1, Tomoko Harama1
1Department of Cardiology, Yamanashi Prefectural Central Hospital, Japan.
Abstract:
A 77-year-old Japanese woman presented with asymptomatic abdominal lymphadenopathy. Soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL2R) and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) levels were elevated, and a pathological examination of lymph-node biopsies revealed non-caseating granulomas, which was consistent with sarcoidosis. Fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography did not show a clear accumulation in the mediastinal lymph-nodes or heart. Five months later, she presented with acute progressive heart failure that was refractory to conventional treatment. Her sIL2R and ACE levels decreased spontaneously over time, without steroid treatment. Autopsy findings revealed non-caseating granulomas. Cardiac sarcoidosis presenting as acute, progressive, treatment-refractory heart failure is rare. Steroid therapy after the resolution of inflammation did not affect the clinical outcome.
Related Concept Videos
Rheumatic Heart Disease I: Introduction
Cardiomyopathy II: Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Cardiomyopathy IV: Restrictive Cardiomyopathy
Heart Failure III: Clinical Manifestations
Pericarditis II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests
Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
