The Cardiac Sarcoidosis Program is one of the few programs in the country exclusively dedicated to the evaluation and treatment of patients with suspected or confirmed cardiac sarcoidosis and inflammatory heart disease. A multidisciplinary team of specialists collaborate to provide the most appropriate and effective care for patients with cardiac sarcoidosis and inflammatory heart disease.
Sarcoidosis is a rare inflammatory disease of adults that can occur in almost any organ. It affects the lungs (pulmonary sarcoidosis) in 90 percent of patients. Sarcoidosis can affect the heart in about 20 percent of patients and is called cardiac sarcoidosis.
The cause of sarcoidosis remains unknown.
Sarcoidosis can be difficult to diagnose because symptoms often do not appear in the early stages and when they do, they can mimic other diseases. When sarcoidosis appears in the heart (cardiac sarcoidosis), patients may experience:
Cardiac sarcoidosis can be challenging to diagnose because symptoms can often mimic those of other diseases.
To effectively diagnose sarcoidosis, your physicians will review any results from tests you have already had done and may recommend others (see services below). These can include imaging studies and biopsies, among other tests.
If your symptoms are not severe, treatment may not be necessary and the disease may resolve on its own. This is the case for many patients diagnosed with sarcoidosis, including some patients with cardiac sarcoidosis. Follow up is required to ensure that your sarcoidosis does not worsen. If the disease affects organ or your quality of life, medication and lifestyle changes can make a difference.
Your multidisciplinary medical team at our center will recommend an individualized treatment plan which may include:
Additionally, if your cardiac sarcoidosis has caused heart rhythm issues (arrhythmias), we may recommend one or more of the following:
In the rare situation when sarcoidosis has severely damaged your heart, a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) and/or heart transplant may be necessary. The Brigham and Women’s Heart Transplant and Mechanical Circulatory Support Program provides innovative and compassionate care to our patients with advanced heart disease.
Here is a list of common questions that patients and their families have when they come to see us and that we are able to answer:
The program provides both consultations and long-term cardiovascular care to patients with cardiac sarcoidosis and inflammatory heart disease. Our team members provide personalized recommendations directly to patients after their cases are discussed at a multidisciplinary conference. Patients have access to a wide array of services at Brigham and Women’s Hospital if their care/condition requires, including:
The Heart & Vascular Center is located in the Shapiro Cardiovascular Center, across the street from Brigham and Women’s Hospital’s main 75 Francis Street entrance. The Heart & Vascular Center brings together the full range of services in one location, fostering seamless and coordinated care for all cardiovascular patients.
The Cardiac Sarcoidosis Program has team members from many different divisions, including:
Learn more about our team and the services they provide.
Please call (857) 307-4000 or email Dr. Sanjay Divakaran if you would like more information about the Cardiac Sarcoidosis and Inflammatory Heart Disease Program, or would like to schedule an appointment. We are located at:
Shapiro Cardiovascular Center
Heart & Vascular Center
Brigham and Women’s Hospital
70 Francis Street
Boston, MA 02115
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