Seeing Beyond the Obvious

Sarcoidosis: A Systemic Inflammatory Disease Sarcoidosis is a systemic inflammatory disease characterized by the deposition of noncaseating granulomas in multiple organs, including the lungs, skin, central nervous system, and heart. The diagnosis of cardiac sarcoidosis is important because it confers a poorer prognosis, with an increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias, heart failure, and sudden cardiac death. The early detection of cardiac involvement in sarcoidosis may provide an opportunity for early intervention using immunosuppressive therapies, and identification of high-risk patients may warrant device therapy using implantable cardioverter defibrillator to prevent sudden cardiac death.