Impaired left ventricular systolic and diastolic functions in patients with early grade pulmonary sarcoidosis

Abstract

Cardiac sarcoidosis is symptomatic in only 5% of patients, and it is an independent predictor of mortality and carries a very poor prognosis. In our study, we aimed to assess left ventricle (LV) systolic and diastolic functions with tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) in patients with early grade pulmonary sarcoidosis.

The study population included 55 patients with Grade I-II sarcoidosis (41 females, 14 males, mean age: 47.9 +/- 10.1) and 22 healthy subjects. LV lateral and septal wall early myocardial peak velocity (E-m), late myocardial peak velocity (A(m)), E-m to A(m) ratio, myocardial relaxation time (RTm), myocardial systolic wave (S-m) velocity, isovolumic acceleration (IVA), myocardial pre-contraction time (PCTm), contraction time (CTm), and the PCTm to CTm ratio were measured. No statistically significant difference was detected between the groups according to age, gender, body mass index, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, or heart rate. LV systolic parameters, LV septal, and lateral wall IVA, were significantly lower, and the PCTm to CTm ratio (P = 0.026) was higher at the septal annulus as compared with control group. E-m, a LV diastolic parameter, was significantly lower at the septal annulus.

Cardiac sarcoid involvement is not rare and is treatable. It should be identified at an early stage. TDI, especially IVA, may be a suitable tool for the early detection of subclinical LV sarcoid involvement.