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Arrhythmogenesis and diagnosis of cardiac sarcoidosis. An immunohistochemical study in a sudden cardiac death
- Source :
- Forensic Science International. Jan 10, 2009, Vol. 183 Issue 1-3, e1-e5
- Publication Year :
- 2009
-
Abstract
- To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2008.09.020 Byline: Irene Riezzo (a), Francesco Ventura (b), Stefano D'Errico (a), Margherita Neri (a), Emanuela Turillazzi (a), Vittorio Fineschi (a) Keywords: Cardiac sarcoidosis; Clinical diagnosis; Ventricular tachycardia; Post-mortem diagnosis; Extensive myocardial fibrosis Abstract: We present an uncommon case of sudden cardiac death in a 34-year-old white woman. She was found lifeless at home by her parents. Three months before death she was recovered at the Emergency Room for chest pain, palpitation and loss of consciousness. Subsequent cardiological evaluation with ECG showed sinusal rhythm, QRS deviation to the left, QS aspect, asymmetric and rounded T waves and slight length of QT. During hospitalization she presented some episodes of supraventricular paroxysmal tachycardia and non-sustained ventricular tachycardia. No echocardiography alterations were found. An anti-arrhythmic treatment was prescribed. Autopsy revealed some fibrotic scarring in the myocardium of left ventricle. The histological examination of the heart revealed diffuse and extensive fibrosis with non-caseating sarcoid granulomas. The lungs, kidneys and lymph node also showed the same non-caseating granulomas. The diagnosis of sarcoidosis with massive and extensive cardiac involvement was established as cause of death. Author Affiliation: (a) Department of Forensic Pathology, University of Foggia - Ospedale Colonnello D'Avanzo, Via degli Aviatori 1, 71100 Foggia, Italy (b) Department of Forensic Pathology, University of Genoa, Italy Article History: Received 22 March 2008; Revised 5 July 2008; Accepted 23 September 2008
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 03790738
- Volume :
- 183
- Issue :
- 1-3
- Database :
- Gale General OneFile
- Journal :
- Forensic Science International
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- edsgcl.191923639