Leading-Edge Treatments to Strengthen Your Heart 

Cardiac sarcoidosis is an inflammatory condition. It causes clumps of immune cells — called granulomas — to develop in your heart. Over time, granulomas can form scars that damage your heart muscle and interfere with your heart’s electrical activity. As a result, you can develop arrhythmia — an abnormal heart rhythm — cardiomyopathy or heart failure.  

The cause of cardiac sarcoidosis is unclear. It may be linked to environmental exposures, your genetics or an abnormal immune response. So, diagnosing cardiac sarcoidosis can be complicated. At the Keck Medicine of USC, we offer innovative testing options to identify your condition and a personalized approach to care that leads to the right treatment plan for you and the most successful outcomes.  

Symptoms of Cardiac Sarcoidosis 

Cardiac sarcoidosis may or may not cause symptoms. It’s possible to have granulomas and not know it. If you do have any symptoms, they can include: 

• Chest pain or tightness 
• Coughing 
• Fainting 
• Fatigue 
• Heart palpitations 
• Irregular heartbeat 
• Shortness of breath 
• Swelling in your legs 

In some cases, cardiac sarcoidosis symptoms can be life-threatening. Go to the emergency department or call 911 if you feel chest pain, shortness of breath or sudden numbness.  

How We Diagnose Cardiac Sarcoidosis 

You are at higher risk for cardiac sarcoidosis if you have a biological family member who also has the condition. Getting an accurate diagnosis is a two-step process. First, we will complete a full physical exam and ask you about your personal and family medical history, as well as any symptoms. 

Next, you will need tests to check your heart for inflammation or scarring. In addition to diagnosing cardiac sarcoidosis, these tests also rule out other conditions. Depending on your situation, we may recommend the following: 

• Blood test 
• Chest X-ray 
• Echocardiogram 
• Electrocardiogram 
• Heart MRI 
• Heart PET scan 
• Holter monitor 
• Right heart catheterization 

Treatments We Offer for Cardiac Sarcoidosis 

We offer a full range of treatments — from advanced medications to innovative new devices — to help manage your symptoms and protect your heart health. The goal of these therapies is to decrease your inflammation, stabilize your heart rhythm and treat your heart failure. If your cardiac sarcoidosis is severe, you may need a heart transplant.  

To treat you with medication, we may recommend: 

• Antiarrhythmic drugs to reset and normalize your heart’s rhythm 
• Heart failure medications 
• Immunosuppressants to counteract your immune response 
• Steroids to reduce inflammation 

In some cases, you may need a device or procedure to control your symptoms. These may include: 

• Cardiac ablation: heat or cold that creates small scars that block abnormal electrical signals in your heart 
• Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD): a device that creates a shock that resets an abnormal heart rhythm 
• Pacemaker: an implant that keeps your heart beating at a steady pace 

Why Choose Us for Cardiac Sarcoidosis Care

We specialize in advanced medications and minimally invasive procedures to treat complex cardiac conditions.

Our clinicians develop groundbreaking methods for preventing, detecting and treating heart disease.

Our clinical trials give you access to novel heart failure treatments and innovative heart surgery techniques.