Specifics of diagnosis and management of patients with cardiac sarcoidosis (literature review and clinical cases)
A. A. Starshinova,
P. A. Fedotov,
B. B. Musaeva,
E. S. Mironova,
A. R. Sabirova,
R. A. Sharipov,
D. A. Kudlay,
E. V. Shlyakhto https://doi.org/10.18705/2311-4495-2026-13-4-322-338
Abstract
Cardiac sarcoidosis remains a diagnostic challenge and requires differential diagnosis to exclude other potential causes of pathological changes. Difficulties in diagnosis stem from the unknown aetiology of the disease, as well as the non-specific nature of its clinical manifestations. The aim of this review is to analyse data published over the last decade concerning the diagnosis of cardiac sarcoidosis. Materials and Methods. This article presents a narrative review of contemporary literature on the diagnosis of cardiac sarcoidosis. A search for publications was conducted across international and domestic electronic databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and eLIBRARY.RU. The following keywords and their combinations were used in both English and Russian: cardiac sarcoidosis, heart transplantation for sarcoidosis, diagnosis of sarcoidosis. Results. The review predominantly includes publications from 2016–2026, alongside earlier fundamental studies and international clinical guidelines that are pivotal for understanding the issue. Selection criteria encompassed systematic reviews, meta-analyses, professional society clinical guidelines, prospective and retrospective cohort studies, and large patient registries dedicated to the diagnosis, management, and prognosis of cardiac sarcoidosis. Conclusion: This review focuses on modern diagnostic modalities and the management strategy for patients with cardiac sarcoidosis, which represents one of the most severe and prognostically unfavourable manifestations of systemic sarcoidosis. Diagnosis is frequently delayed due to non-specific symptoms and the patchy distribution of granulomatous inflammation within the myocardium. Presented case reports clearly demonstrate the capabilities of contemporary diagnostics and treatment strategies for patients with cardiac sarcoidosis.
About the Authors
A. A. Starshinova
Federal State Budgetary Institution “V. A. Almazov National Medical Research Centre” of the Ministry of
Health of the Russian Federation; Saint Petersburg State University
Russian Federation
Competing Interests:
Russian Federation
Anna A. Starshinova, MD, DSc, Chief Researcher of the Laboratory, Head of the Research Department, Professor of the Department of Faculty Therapy with a Clinic
St. Petersburg
Competing Interests:
The authors declare no conflict of interest
P. A. Fedotov
Saint Petersburg State University
Russian Federation
Competing Interests:
Russian Federation
Petr A. Fedotov, MD, PhD, Leading Researcher and Head Research Laboratory, Associate Professor of the Department of Faculty Therapy with a
Clinic
St. Petersburg
Competing Interests:
The authors declare no conflict of interest
B. B. Musaeva
Federal State Budgetary Institution “V. A. Almazov National Medical Research Centre” of the Ministry of
Health of the Russian Federation; Saint Petersburg State University
Russian Federation
Competing Interests:
Russian Federation
Bulgun B. Musaeva, MD, Researcher of the Research Laboratory
St. Petersburg
Competing Interests:
The authors declare no conflict of interest
E. S. Mironova
Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education “Bashkir State Medical University” of
the Ministry of Health of Russia
Russian Federation
Competing Interests:
Russian Federation
Elena S. Mironova, Second-year resident
Ufa
Competing Interests:
The authors declare no conflict of interest
A. R. Sabirova
Saint Petersburg State University; Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education “Bashkir State Medical University” of the Ministry of Health of Russia
Russian Federation
Competing Interests:
Russian Federation
Adila R. Sabirova, Assistant Professor, Research Engineer at the “Probabilistic Methods in Analysis” Laboratory
Ufa, St. Petersburg
Competing Interests:
The authors declare no conflict of interest
R. A. Sharipov
Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education “Bashkir State Medical University” of
the Ministry of Health of Russia
Russian Federation
Competing Interests:
Russian Federation
Raul A. Sharipov, MD, PhD, Head of the Department of Phthisiology at the Bashkir State Medical University
Ufa
Competing Interests:
The authors declare no conflict of interest
D. A. Kudlay
Federal State Autonomous Educational Institution of Higher Education “First Moscow State Medical University named after I. M. Sechenov” of the Ministry of Health of Russia; Federal State Budgetary Institution “State Scientific Center ‘Institute of Immunology’ Federal Medical-Biological Agency”; Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education “Lomonosov Moscow State University”
Russian Federation
Competing Interests:
Russian Federation
Dmitry A. Kudlay, Corresponding member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, MD, DSc, Professor of the Department of Pharmacology, Professor of the Department of Pharmacognosy and Industrial Pharmacy
Moscow
Competing Interests:
The authors declare no conflict of interest
E. V. Shlyakhto
Federal State Budgetary Institution “V. A. Almazov National Medical Research Centre” of the Ministry of
Health of the Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Competing Interests:
Russian Federation
Evgeny V. Shlyakhto, MD, DSc, Academician of the RAS, General Director of V. A. Almazov NMRC
St. Petersburg
Competing Interests:
The authors declare no conflict of interest
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Starshinova A.A., Fedotov P.A., Musaeva B.B., Mironova E.S., Sabirova A.R., Sharipov R.A., Kudlay D.A., Shlyakhto E.V. Specifics of diagnosis and management of patients with cardiac sarcoidosis (literature review and clinical cases). Translational Medicine. 2026;13(4):322-338. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.18705/2311-4495-2026-13-4-322-338
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