Clinical and Imaging Abnormalities Associated With Inducible Ventricular Arrhythmias During Electrophysiologic Study in Patients With Cardiac Sarcoidosis and Mildly Impaired Left Ventricular Function

BACKGROUND: Patients with cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) and mildly impaired left ventricular ejection fraction remain at high risk for sudden cardiac death. However, risk stratification for implantable cardioverter-defibrillator implantation in this group is needed. We aimed to determine if electrophysiologic study (EPS) may be used as a noninvasive alternative for sudden cardiac death risk stratification. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, we analyzed patients with CS (aged >18 years) with highly probable or probable sarcoidosis according to the World Association of Sarcoidosis and Other Granulomatous Disorders Sarcoidosis Organ Assessment Instrument, with evidence of late gadolinium enhancement on cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in a pattern consistent with CS and left ventricular ejection fraction ≥40%, who underwent EPS. RESULTS: 0.036) were associated with higher odds of an EPS-positive study. There was no association between anatomic distribution of scar within left ventricular and right ventricular segments and inducibility on EPS. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with CS and mildly impaired left ventricular ejection fraction, we demonstrated that transmural myocardial scarring and edema on T2-weighted cardiac magnetic resonance imaging are associated with sustained ventricular arrhythmia during EPS, suggesting that noninvasive imaging features may be used as prognostic indicators in patients with CS. Larger, prospective studies are needed to inform implantable cardioverter-defibrillator implantation guidelines.