Cardiac sarcoidosis presenting with cardiogenic shock successfully recovered by Impella and corticosteroid pulse therapy: a case report

BACKGROUND: Cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) occasionally disrupts circulatory haemodynamics due to arrhythmia or cardiac dysfunction. CASE SUMMARY: A 70-year-old woman was diagnosed with CS, then was admitted for syncope because of complete atrioventricular block and frequently non-sustained ventricular tachycardia. Although a temporary pacemaker and intravenous amiodarone were introduced, she subsequently went into cardiopulmonary arrest by ventricular fibrillation. After the return of spontaneous circulation, Impella cardiac power (CP) was introduced because of sustained hypotension and severely impaired left ventricular contraction. High-dose intravenous corticosteroid therapy was simultaneously introduced. Her atrioventricular conduction and left ventricular contraction drastically improved. Impella CP was successfully removed after 4 days of support. She was eventually administered steroid maintenance therapy and discharged. DISCUSSION: We report a case of CS with fulminant haemodynamic collapse treated with high-dose intravenous corticosteroid therapy under Impella assistance for acute haemodynamic support. Although CS has been known as an inflammatory disease with progressive cardiac dysfunction and rapid deterioration due to fatal arrhythmias, it can be improved with steroid therapy. It was suggested that strong haemodynamic support by Impella could be a bridge to manifest the effects after introducing steroid therapy to patients with CS.