Right Ventricle Late Gadolinium Enhancement in Cardiac Sarcoidosis: A Case Series
Author Information
Author(s): Lydell Carmen P, Carbone Iacopo, Merchant Naeem
Primary Institution: University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
Hypothesis
Is the prevalence of late gadolinium enhancement in the left and right ventricles higher in patients with sarcoidosis and suspected cardiac involvement than previously thought?
Conclusion
Right ventricle involvement in sarcoidosis may be more common than previously appreciated and often coexists with similar findings in the left ventricle.
Supporting Evidence
- Of the 17 patients, 12 (71%) showed late gadolinium enhancement in the left ventricle myocardium.
- 7 (41%) showed late gadolinium enhancement in the right ventricle myocardium.
- All patients with right ventricle involvement also had left ventricle involvement.
- Five patients showed no late gadolinium enhancement in either the left or right ventricle.
Takeaway
Doctors looked at patients with a disease called sarcoidosis to see if a special type of heart scan showed problems in the heart. They found that many of these patients had issues in both sides of their heart.
Methodology
Patients referred for cardiac MRI with notation of 'sarcoidosis' were reviewed, confirming diagnosis through clinical history, pathology results, and chest CT findings.
Limitations
The study is based on a small sample size and may not represent the broader population.
Participant Demographics
Patients with sarcoidosis referred for cardiac MRI between 2007-2010.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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