Published in:
01-11-2007 | Case Report
Cardiac sarcoidosis responding to monotherapy with infliximab
Authors:
Imad Uthman, Zahi Touma, Maurice Khoury
Published in:
Clinical Rheumatology
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Issue 11/2007
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Abstract
Cardiac involvement is a rare and potentially life-threatening complication of sarcoidosis. We report the case of a young previously healthy woman who presented with complete atrioventricular heart block. Further evaluation revealed non-caseating granulomas in the hilar and mediastinal regions. A pacemaker was inserted, and she was treated with four doses of infliximab after she refused treatment with steroids. Rapid resolution of the pulmonary lymph nodes was documented and repeated interrogations of the pacemaker 1 year after her last infliximab infusion documented that she was in sinus rhythm. Infliximab may be considered as an alternative first-line therapy in sarcoidosis with serious organ involvement.