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Author Spotlight: Exploring the Role of Inflammation in the Co-occurrence of Primary Sjogren's Syndrome and Lung Adenocarcinoma
Published on: September 20, 2024
Sjögren-related cardiomyopathy presenting with cardiogenic shock
Yahia Al Turk1, Alejandro Lemor2,3, Mohamed Fayed4
1Internal Medicine, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, Michigan, USA yaltur1@hfhs.org.
Insights
This case report highlights Sjögren disease as a rare cause of non-ischaemic cardiomyopathy. Early consideration of autoimmune processes is crucial for diagnosis and management of heart failure in these patients.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Rheumatology
- Immunology
Background:
- Non-ischaemic cardiomyopathy is associated with various autoimmune diseases.
- Sjögren disease is rarely reported as a cause of cardiomyopathy.
Observation:
- A 69-year-old woman with Sjögren disease presented with cardiogenic shock.
- Cardiac MRI showed apical septal late gadolinium enhancement, suggesting an autoimmune etiology.
- Other causes of cardiomyopathy were excluded.
Findings:
- The patient's presentation was attributed to underlying Sjögren disease.
- Treatment with steroids and heart failure therapy was initiated.
- The patient ultimately died after declining heart transplantation.
Implications:
- Sjögren disease-related cardiomyopathy lacks established diagnostic criteria and treatment guidelines.
- Diagnosis requires considering autoimmune processes after excluding other causes.
- This case underscores the importance of recognizing rare autoimmune etiologies of cardiomyopathy.
Abstract:
Previous reports have described non-ischaemic cardiomyopathy related to a variety of autoimmune diseases. However, very few case reports describe Sjögren disease as a contributing factor to cardiomyopathy. We report the case of a 69-year-old woman with a history of Sjögren disease who presented with cardiogenic shock. Laboratory testing and cardiac MRI revealing apical septal late gadolinium enhancement were consistent with an autoimmune aetiology. After ruling out ischaemic, infectious and other possible causes, the patient's clinical presentation was thought to be related to underlying Sjögren disease. She was treated with intravenous steroids and evidence-based heart failure therapy, but she eventually died after having declined heart transplantation. Given the rarity of Sjögren disease, no diagnostic criteria or standard treatment has been established for cardiomyopathy related to this disease. Diagnosis should be considered in patients who show evidence of autoimmune processes after other possible causes are ruled out.
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