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Outcome of implantable cardioverter defibrillator in cardiac sarcoidosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

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Abstract

Purpose

Cardiac sarcoidosis is a multisystem inflammatory disorder characterized by ventricular arrhythmias. Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is used to prevent sudden cardiac death.

Methods

We performed literature search for studies that addressed the outcome and complications of ICD in Cardiac Sarcoidosis (CS). Multiple search sites were reviewed from January 1, 2000 until December 1, 2018. We then performed a meta-analysis using a random effects model. Two investigators independently extracted the data and assessed studies’ quality.

Results

Ten studies with 585 patients qualified for the analysis. In the pooled analysis, 57% were male with mean left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of 38.4%. Appropriate and inappropriate ICD treatments (AT and IAT) were reported in 39% and 15% of patients respectively over mean follow-up period of 25 months and mortality rate of 8%. A sub-analysis of four studies indicated that patients with appropriate therapy did not differ from the rest of CS population in LVEF% (mean difference (MD) = − 7.37%, 95% confidence interval (CI) − 16.89 to 2.15, p = 0.12), age (MD = − 3.87 years, 95% CI − 10.19 to 2.46, p = 0.23), primary prevention (range difference (RD) = − 0.11, 95% CI − 0.31 to 0.10, p = 0.31) or secondary prevention indication (RD = 0.09, 95% CI − 0.12 to 0.3, p = 0.37). High degree AV block was more common in patients with AT (RD = 0.07, 95% CI 0.00 to 0.14 p = 0.05).

Conclusions

ICD placement in CS is associated with high incidence of both appropriate and inappropriate therapy. High degree AV block appears to be predictive of appropriate ICD therapy.

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Abbreviations

AT:

Appropriate treatment

IAT:

Inappropriate treatment

VT:

Ventricular tachycardia

F/U:

Follow-up

LVEF:

Left ventricular ejection fraction

AAD:

Anti-arrhythmia drugs

ACCESS:

A Case Control Etiologic Study of Sarcoidosis

HF:

Heart failure

CHB:

Complete heart block

NR:

Not reported

JMHW:

Japanese Ministry of Health and Welfare Criteria

VT/VFib:

Ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation

RTS:

Retrospective study

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Correspondence to Ahmad Halawa.

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Halawa, A., Jain, R., Turagam, M.K. et al. Outcome of implantable cardioverter defibrillator in cardiac sarcoidosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Interv Card Electrophysiol 58, 233–242 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10840-020-00705-1

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