Effective steroid therapy in an elderly patient with cardiac sarcoidosis and severe left ventricular dysfunction

Abstract

A 75-year-old woman with no significant medical history was admitted to our hospital with congestive heart failure. Echocardiography revealed left ventricle (LV) systolic dysfunction [LV ejection fraction (LVEF) 18%] and diffuse LV hypokinesis mimicking dilated cardiomyopathy. Her brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) level was elevated (1214.3 pg/mL). Standard medications for heart failure failed to ameliorate her cardiac failure symptoms. Echocardiography on admission revealed thickening of the basal interventricular septum without morphological changes. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging showed late enhancement in the epicardial side dominance of the LV at the late phase. Lysozyme and soluble interleukin 2 receptor levels were elevated. No abnormalities were found in the lungs, eyes, or skin, and she was diagnosed with cardiac sarcoidosis. At 23 days after beginning treatment, the patient received oral steroid therapy (prednisolone 30 mg/day) along with standard heart failure medications. The dose was tapered by 5 mg at 4-week intervals and then maintained at 10 mg per day. At 17 days after initiating steroid therapy, her BNP value decreased and remained at a low level. Echocardiography showed improvement of the LV dimensions and LVEF. In patients with severe LV dysfunction diagnosed with cardiac sarcoidosis, we propose that careful steroid therapy be considered, even for elderly patients.<Learning objective: Although little is known about cardiac sarcoidosis, it should be considered even in elderly patients with refractory arrhythmias or intractable heart failure. Considering cardiac sarcoidosis as an etiology as well as early initiation of steroid therapy in patients exhibiting severe left ventricular dysfunction may be beneficial.>