Heart involvement in lung sarcoidosis. Results of a retrospective analysis of clinical courses collected over a 10-year period
Kirsten, D.; Schaedel, H.
Zeitschrift für Erkrankungen der Atmungsorgane 162(2): 99-107
1984
ISSN/ISBN: 0303-657X PMID: 6234711 Document Number: 239865
Both the roentgenographic assessment of heart size (CTR) and the evaluation of serial ECG are simple methods in diagnosing possible heart involvement in patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis. Heart rhythm disturbances (ventricular ectopic beats, atrial and ventricular tachycardia, bundle branch block, high degree av-block) are of particular diagnostic value especially in view of intermittent occurrence or therapeutic disappearance. Other noninvasive methods as vectorcardiography, echocardiography and nuclear myocardial imaging are of worth in confirming the diagnosis. There are some difficulties in differential diagnosis of other cardiomyopathies and ischaemic heart disease.