CardioNerds (Dr. Rick Ferraro and Dr. Dan Ambinder) join Dr. Sri Mandava, Dr. David Meister, and Dr. Marissa Donatelle from the Columbia University Division of Cardiology at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami. Expert commentary is provided by Dr. Pranav Venkataraman. They discuss the following case involving a patient with cardiac sarcoidosis presenting as STEMI:

A 57-year-old man with a history of hyperlipidemia presented with sudden onset chest pain. On admission, he was vitally stable with a normal cardiorespiratory exam but appeared in acute distress and was diffusely diaphoretic. His ECG revealed sinus rhythm, a right bundle branch block (RBBB), and ST elevation in the inferior-posterior leads. He was promptly taken for emergent cardiac catheterization, which identified a complete thrombotic occlusion of the mid-left circumflex artery (LCX) and large obtuse marginal (OM) branch, with no underlying coronary atherosclerotic disease. Aspiration thrombectomy and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were performed, with one drug-eluting stent placed. An echocardiogram showed a left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) of 31%, hypokinesis of the inferior, lateral, and apical regions, and an apical left ventricular thrombus. The patient was started on triple therapy. A hypercoagulable workup was negative. A cardiac MRI was obtained to further evaluate non-ischemic cardiomyopathy. In conjunction with a subsequent CT chest, the results raised suspicion for cardiac sarcoidosis with systemic involvement. In view of a reduced EF and significant late-gadolinium enhancement, electrophysiology was consulted to evaluate for ICD candidacy. A decision was made to delay ICD implantation until a definitive diagnosis of cardiac sarcoidosis could be established by tissue biopsy. The patient was started on HF-GDMT and discharged with a LifeVest. Close outpatient follow-up with cardiology and electrophysiology was arranged.

“To study the phenomena of disease without books is to sail an uncharted sea, while to study books without patients is not to go to sea at all.” – Sir William Osler. CardioNerds thank the patients and their loved ones whose stories teach us the Art of Medicine and support our Mission to Democratize Cardiovascular Medicine.

Enjoy this Circulation 2022 Paths to Discovery article to learn about the CardioNerds story, mission, and values.

US Cardiology Review is now the official journal of CardioNerds! Submit your manuscript here.

CardioNerds Case Reports Page
CardioNerds Episode Page
CardioNerds Academy
Cardionerds Healy Honor Roll

CardioNerds Journal Club
Subscribe to The Heartbeat Newsletter!
Check out CardioNerds SWAG!
Become a CardioNerds Patron!

Pearls – Cardiac Sarcoidosis Presenting as STEMI

Cardiac sarcoidosis can present with a variety of symptoms, including arrhythmias, heart block, heart failure, or sudden cardiac death. Symptoms can be subtle or mimic other cardiac conditions.
Conduction abnormalities, particularly AV block or ventricular arrhythmias, are common and may be the initial indication of cardiac involvement with sarcoidosis.
The additive value of Echocardiography, FDG-PET, and cardiac MR is indispensable in the diagnostic workup of suspected cardiac sarcoidosis.
Specific role of MRI/PET: Both cardiac MRI and FDG-PET provide a complementary role in the diagnosis of cardiac sarcoidosis. Cardiac MRI is an effective diagnostic screening tool with fairly high sensitivity but is limited by its inability to decipher inflammatory (“active” disease) versus fibrotic myocardium. FDG-PT helps to make this discrimination, refine the diagnosis, and guide clinical management. Ultimately, these studies are most useful when interpreted in the context of other clinical information.
Primary prevention of sudden cardiac death in cardiac sarcoidosis focuses on risk stratification, with ICD placement for high-risk patients. For patients awaiting definitive diagnosis, a LifeVest may be used as a temporary measure to protect from sudden arrhythmic events until an ICD is placed.

Notes – Cardiac Sarcoidosis Presenting as STEMI

1. Is STEMI always a result of coronary artery disease?

By definition, a STEMI is an acute S-T segment elevation myocardial infarction. This occurs when there is occlusion of a major coronary artery, which results in transmural ischemia and damage, resulting in electrical changes seen on the ECG. The most common cause of coronary artery occlusion is coronary artery disease (CAD) from plaque rupture and thrombus formation; however, many other causes of coronary artery occlusion are not related to CAD. These include vasospasm (isolated and recurrent), in-situ thrombotic occlusion, spontaneous coronary artery dissection, and supply-demand mismatch, such as in the setting of severe anemia. DDx includes other causes of injury current, such as myocarditis. It is important to keep these other differentials in mind while preparing for coronary angiography, as it may help guide intra-catheterization and post-catheterization management.

2. What are the most common causes of LV thrombus?

When considering the causes of thrombus formation, think of Virchow’s triad. As with any other location, thrombus formation in the LV may be caused by injury/inflammation, systemic thrombophilia, and stasis.

Acute myocardial infarction (especially anterior MI) – damaged myocardium and impaired LV function lead to blood stasis and thrombus formation.

Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) – severely impaired contractility increases the risk of thrombus development

Non-Ischemic cardiomyopathies – dilated or hypertrophic cardiomyopathies may cause abnormal blood flow, promoting thrombus formation.

Arrhythmias – although more associated with atrial thrombus, atrial fibrillation can also contribute to LVT in cases of significant LV dysfunc...