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Assessment of Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Calcium Reserve and Intracellular Diastolic Calcium Removal in Isolated Ventricular Cardiomyocytes
Published on: September 18, 2017
Sarcoid heart disease
Insights
Myocardial sarcoidosis, a potentially under-diagnosed UK disease, requires high suspicion for unusual heart conditions, especially with rhythm changes or heart failure. Early diagnosis and energetic treatment are crucial due to high sudden death rates.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Immunology
- Pathology
Background:
- Myocardial sarcoidosis is a significant, potentially under-diagnosed condition in the UK.
- A high index of suspicion is essential for diagnosing myocardial sarcoidosis, particularly in unexplained heart disease cases.
Observation:
- Unusual heart disease presentations, serious rhythm changes, and unexplained heart failure warrant consideration of myocardial sarcoidosis.
- Mitral systolic murmurs are frequent findings.
- Cardiac symptoms often dominate, even with minimal involvement of other organs.
Findings:
- The heart can be massively involved in sarcoidosis, leading to significant cardiac dysfunction.
- Sudden death is a disturbingly common outcome for affected patients.
- A high incidence in East Anglia suggests geographical factors warrant further investigation.
Implications:
- Prompt diagnosis and aggressive treatment are indicated, though assessing treatment efficacy remains challenging.
- Further research is needed to better understand and manage this sinister disease.
- Increased awareness and diagnostic efforts are crucial for improving patient outcomes.
Abstract:
Myocardial sarcoidosis is not a rare disease in the UK and it is still probably under-diagnosed. A high index of suspicion in necessary for diagnosis of myocardial sarcoidosis, which should be thought of in any unusual form of heart disease for which there is no adequate explanation, particularly if there are serious rhythm changes or unexplained heart failure. Mitral systolic murmurs occur frequently. Histological proof of the aetiology should be sought. The heart is frequently massively involved when other organs have little involvement. Most of these patients present with cardiac symptoms or signs and the high incidence of sudden death is disturbing. The high rate of occurrence in East Anglia is noted, and merits further study. Treatment should be energetic where indicated--but its effects are difficult to assess. This study, representing the largest single source of information on this topic, continues in the hope of shedding more light on a sinister disease.
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Cardiomyopathy IV: Restrictive Cardiomyopathy

