Phenotype of Infiltrating T Lymphocytes in Cardiac Sarcoidosis

Apreviously well 29-year-old woman was referred to our hospital after a syncopal attack accompanied by severe congestive heart failure. The ECG showed complete atrioventricular conduction block, which necessitated immediate pacemaker implantation. Echocardiography revealed septal, apical, and lateral hypokinesia with a left ventricular ejection fraction of 23% and a systolic anterior and posterior pericardial effusion of 3 mm. The results of the chest radiograph were normal. Coronary angiography detected no stenotic lesions. The hematoxylin- and eosin-stained sections of a left ventricular endomyocardial biopsy showed noncaseating granulomas with giant cells at onset of disease and …