[Cardiac sarcoidosis in 2026 : current perspectives]
Aarthiga Sritharan1, Christel Hermann Kamani1,2, Henri Lu1
1Service de cardiologie, Centre hospitalier universitaire vaudois, 1011 Lausanne.
Revue Medicale Suisse
|May 22, 2026
Summary
Symptomatic cardiac sarcoidosis, a serious condition, requires prompt diagnosis. Advanced imaging aids detection when biopsies are insufficient, improving patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Oncology
- Immunology
Background:
- Cardiac sarcoidosis affects ~5% of systemic sarcoidosis patients.
- Manifestations include arrhythmias, heart failure, and sudden cardiac death.
- High morbidity and mortality necessitate early detection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To emphasize the importance of accurate and prompt diagnosis of symptomatic cardiac sarcoidosis.
- To highlight the limitations of endomyocardial biopsy.
- To underscore the role of advanced imaging in diagnosis and risk stratification.
Main Methods:
- Review of diagnostic modalities for cardiac sarcoidosis.
- Discussion of endomyocardial biopsy limitations (sensitivity ~20%).
- Emphasis on advanced imaging: [18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR).
Main Results:
- Endomyocardial biopsy has limited sensitivity for diagnosing cardiac sarcoidosis.
- Advanced imaging techniques like PET/CT and CMR are crucial for accurate diagnosis.
- Comprehensive evaluation combining clinical assessment and imaging is essential.
Conclusions:
- Prompt and accurate diagnosis of cardiac sarcoidosis is critical due to its significant impact on morbidity and mortality.
- Advanced imaging plays a vital role in overcoming the diagnostic limitations of endomyocardial biopsy.
- Integrated diagnostic approaches are necessary for effective patient management and risk stratification.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Cardiomyopathy I: Introduction and Classification
Cardiomyopathy, or CMP, is a group of diseases affecting the myocardial structure, impairing its ability to pump blood effectively. This condition can lead to arrhythmias, heart failure, or sudden cardiac death.Cardiomyopathies are classified into primary and secondary categories:Primary Cardiomyopathy refers to conditions involving only the heart muscle that are often idiopathic (of unknown cause) or genetic. They primarily affect the myocardium without the involvement of other systemic...
01:30Cardiomyopathy II: Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Dilated cardiomyopathy, or DCM, is a progressive myocardial disorder characterized by ventricular chamber dilation and contractile dysfunction.EtiologyVarious factors can cause DCM, including hypertension and heavy alcohol intake, which contribute to the weakening and enlargement of the heart muscle. Viral infections, such as Coxsackievirus B, adenoviruses, and influenza, can lead to DCM by causing inflammation and damage to heart tissue. Certain chemotherapeutic agents, including daunorubicin,...
01:29Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
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...
01:29Cardiomyopathy V: Interprofessional Care
Managing cardiomyopathy involves addressing underlying or precipitating causes, treating heart failure with medications, and implementing dietary changes and a balanced exercise and rest regimen.Lifestyle ModificationsCardiomyopathy patients should adopt a low-sodium diet to reduce fluid retention and manage heart failure. A personalized exercise and rest plan helps maintain physical fitness without overstraining the heart. Avoiding alcohol and tobacco is essential to prevent further damage to...
01:29Cardiomyopathy IV: Restrictive Cardiomyopathy
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...
01:22Rheumatic Heart Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
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...