Pericardial tamponade in sarcoidosis

A woman with a three month history of progressive right heart failure was found to have sarcoid pericarditis complicated by pericardial tamponade. The pericardial fluid was serosanguineous, and numerous nodules were noted on the parietal and visceral pericardium. Non-caseating granulomas were found in biopsy specimens of the pericardium, lung and skin. Right-sided heart failure in sarcoidosis is usually attributed to cor pulmonale or primary myocardial sarcoid. Pericardial tamponade should be considered in patients who present with sarcoidosis complicated by right heart failure.