Improvement of cardiac sympathetic nerve function in sarcoidosis

N.M. Smulders, A. Bast, M.J.P.G. van Kroonenburgh, M. Drent*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Some patients with sarcoidosis can have cardiac involvement. Impairment of the cardiac sympathetic nerve activity is seen in about 50% of the sarcoidosis patients with small fiber neuropathy. In this case we present a sarcoidosis patient with small fiber neuropathy and cardiac symptoms with a cardiac sympathetic dysfunction, assessed with I-123 MIBG SPECT. After 5 months of treatment with carvedilol, which has besides adrenergic receptor blocking effects also antioxidant action, we saw a clear improvement of the cardiac sympathetic function demonstrated on a repeated I-123 MIBG SPECT. Future studies should explore the clinical relevance of the relation of oxidative stress, antioxidant therapy and cardiac dysfunction in sarcoidosis. (Sarcoidosis Vasc Dffuse Lung Dis 2008; 25: 140-142)
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)140-142
JournalSarcoidosis Vasculitis and Diffuse Lung Diseases
Volume25
Issue number2
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2008

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