News | Cardiac Imaging | October 11, 2022

Identifying Patients with Sarcoidosis at Risk for Bad Cardiac Outcomes

Researchers from the University of Minnesota Medical School found that patients with certain features on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the heart are at much higher risk for cardiac sarcoidosis-related adverse outcomes.

Chetan Shenoy, MBBS, MS


October 11, 2022 — Researchers from the University of Minnesota Medical School found that patients with certain features on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the heart are at much higher risk for cardiac sarcoidosis-related adverse outcomes. These patients may benefit from an implantable cardioverter defibrillator. Meanwhile, other features identified patients at very low risk who might not benefit from the device. These findings were published recently in JAMA Cardiology

Cardiac sarcoidosis is a rare inflammatory heart disease that can result in rhythm disturbances and heart failure. Sarcoidosis is estimated to affect approximately 200,000 Americans.  

“Late gadolinium enhancement on cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging is often used to diagnose cardiac sarcoidosis. Our research shows that not all patients with late gadolinium enhancement on cardiac MRI  have the same risk of adverse outcomes, particularly ventricular arrhythmias,” said Chetan Shenoy, MBBS, MS, an associate professor of medicine at the University of Minnesota Medical School and the lead author of the study. “We believe our findings will help optimize the clinical care of patients with suspected cardiac sarcoidosis, and consequently, lead to better outcomes.” 

In this largest study yet of suspected cardiac sarcoidosis investigated by cardiac MRI, the researchers studied 504 patients. The MRI features were based on the research team’s previously published study that described features of cardiac damage in the hearts of patients with cardiac sarcoidosis who had suddenly died or needed heart transplantation. 

Researchers note that these findings should be replicated in other, more diverse, cohorts. Whether clinical management guided by these cardiac MRI features improves outcomes in patients with suspected cardiac sarcoidosis should be prospectively tested in a randomized trial. 

For more information: www.med.umn.edu 

Related Cardiac Sarcoidosis Content: 

VIDEO: Utilization of PET For Evaluation of Cardiac Sarcoidosis 

ASNC and SNMMI Release Joint Document on Diagnosis, Treatment of Cardiac Sarcoidosis 

New PET-CT Scan Improves Detection in Rare Cardiac Condition 

25 Most Impactful Nuclear Cardiology Articles 

Recent Advances in Cardiac Nuclear Imaging Technology 


Related Content

News | Heart Failure

May 25, 2023 — New data presented from an investigator-sponsored European trial found managing indicated1 heart failure ...

Home May 26, 2023
Home
News | Heart Failure

May 23, 2023 — Sacubitril/valsartan leads to greater reduction in plasma NT-proBNP levels compared to valsartan alone ...

Home May 23, 2023
Home
News | Heart Failure

May 23, 2023 — The diagnosis of heart failure is usually missed, denying patients treatments that could improve ...

Home May 23, 2023
Home
News | Heart Failure

May 23, 2023 — The first investigator-initiated study of remote pulmonary artery pressure monitoring has found that it ...

Home May 23, 2023
Home
News | Heart Failure

April 25, 2023 — Windtree Therapeutics, Inc., a biotechnology company focused on advancing late-stage interventions for ...

Home April 25, 2023
Home
News | Heart Failure

April 21, 2023 — A recent study using mice has revealed a way to turn back the clock after heart attack. The researchers ...

Home April 21, 2023
Home
News | Heart Failure

April 21, 2023 — Black adults with heart failure (HF) are more likely to die than white adults with the same condition ...

Home April 21, 2023
Home
News | Heart Failure

April 20, 2023 — The American College of Cardiology (ACC) has recognized seven Hackensack Meridian Health medical ...

Home April 20, 2023
Home
News | Heart Failure

April 14, 2023 — Deaths from cardiovascular disease are elevated on polluted days and for two days afterwards, according ...

Home April 14, 2023
Home
News | Heart Failure

April 11, 2023 — Daxor Corporation, a global leader in blood volume measurement technology, announced five new hospitals ...

Home April 11, 2023
Home
Subscribe Now