Two cases of culture proven Mycobacterium tuberculosis presenting with a broad-complex tachycardia and non-caseating granulomas

High-risk and low prevalence disease: Cardiac sarcoidosis and some of its mimics

In this narrative review of cardiac sarcoidosis, based on a literature search using the terms "cardiac sarcoidosis", "tuberculous myocarditis", "Whipple's disease and myocarditis", and"idiopathic giant cell myocarditis", I have defined cardiac sarcoidosis as a disorder which can be diagnosed either by documentation of the presence of sarcoid-related granulomas in myocardial tissue or by documentation of the association of the presence of sarcoid-related granulomas in extracardiac tissue and symptoms such as complete heart block, ventricular tachyarrhythmia, sudden death or dilated cardiomyopathy which are typical of cardiac sarcoidosis. The differential diagnosis of cardiac sarcoidosis includes granulomatous myocarditis attributable to underlying causes such as such as tuberculosis, Whipple's disease, and idiopathic giant cell myocarditis. Diagnostic pathways for cardiac sarcoidosis include biopsy of cardiac and extracardiac tissue, nuclear magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography, and a diagnostic trial of empiric therapy. Problem areas include differentiation between noncaseating granulomatosis attributable to sarcoidosis versus noncaseating granulomatosis attributable to tuberculosis and whether or not the workup of suspected cardiac sarcoidosis should always include evaluation of biopsy tissue by molecular methods for M tuberculosis DNA as well as by mycobacterium tuberculosis culture. The diagnostic significance of necrotising granulomatosis is also unclear. Evaluation of patients on long term immunotherapy should also take due account of the risk of tuberculosis attributable to the use of tumor necrosis factor-alpha antagonists.

Life-threatening ventricular arrhythmia as first presentation of Tuberculosis-Early diagnosis and successful treatment: A case series

BACKGROUND

Tuberculosis of the myocardium is an extremely rare entity with few published case reports. Diagnosis is often delayed, and outcomes are unfavorable: particularly when cardiac involvement has been the presenting entity.

METHODS

Four patients, aged 24-51 years, presented with life-threatening ventricular arrhythmia (VA). None had a previous history of tuberculosis or any structural heart disease. Electrocardiogram during sinus rhythm and Echocardiography did not show any gross abnormality. All patients underwent contrast-enhanced computer tomography of thorax and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. Attempts to obtain tissue (cardiac or associated mediastinal lymph nodes) were associated with increased risk to the patients thus indirect evidence of Mantoux skin test and interferon gamma release assay results were used to aid diagnosis.

RESULTS

Based on clinicoradiological findings, patients were put on antitubercular therapy (ATT). Supportive therapy included antiarrhythmic drugs (all patients), catheter ablation (two patients), and implantable cardioverter defibrillator (one patient). Arrhythmia suppression was achieved in all patients predischarge. On a follow-up of 2-24 months, none of the patients has had any recurrence of arrhythmia. ATT and antiarrhythmic drug therapy have been stopped in two patients who have completed the 6 months of ATT. Their radiological lesions showed resolution.

CONCLUSIONS

Myocardial tuberculosis presenting as life-threatening VA in a rare but definite clinical entity. A high index of suspicion and cardiac imaging can lead to early diagnosis and appropriate treatment that ensures survival in all patients.