Determination of Cardiac Involvement of Sarcoidosis with Cardiac MR, ECHO, and Holter ECG

Objective: Sarcoidosis is a systemic granulomatous disease of unknown origin, which principally affects lungs and lym phatic system. Cardiac involvement is rarely seen in sarcoidosis patients, it is important as it causes fatal outcomes. Early detec tion of cardiac involvement in sarcoidosis is important, and early initiation of treatment may affect the prognosis. In this study, we aimed to determine the frequency of cardiac involvement in sarcoidosis cases with late gadolinium enhancement car diac magnetic resonance (CMR) studies, echocardiography, and Holter electrocardiogram. Methods: Forty-nine cases with sarcoidosis were planned to enroll this study. Female/male ratio of the enrolled patients was 6,1, and their mean age was 46,3 ± 10,6 years. A 24-hour Holter recording and echocardiography were performed to the patients. After these procedures, delayed gadolinium involvement was observed in CMR, by administering intravenous gadolinium. Results: Gadolinium involvement in magnetic resonance imag ing (MRI) was detected in 16 (33%) of 49 cases. There was no significant difference according to Holter records due to cardiac involvement in sarcoidosis. Diastolic functions were deteriorated in echocardiography in patients with MRI involvement. Conclusion: We can say that delayed gadolinium involvement in magnetic resonance is a usable imaging with high specifity and sensitivity in cardiac involvement of sarcoidosis. This imaging method should take place especially among patients with sar coidosis for diagnosis of cardiac involvement.