Patient selection: sarcoidosis
Screening variables:
(1) clinical
(2) ECG
(3) Holter monitor
(4) cardiac echocardiography
Clinical findings:
(1) significant palpitations (defined as prominent patient complaint for > 2 weeks)
(2) presyncope or syncope
ECG findings:
(1) atrioventricular block
(2) right bundle branch block
(3) left bundle branch block, left anterior or posterior fascicular block
Holter monitor findings:
(1) supraventricular and/or ventricular tachycardia
(2) excessive premature ventricular contractions (PVCs)
(3) atrioventricular block
Cardiac echocardiography findings
(1) left and/or right ventricular systolic dysfunction
(2) left and/or right ventricular diastolic dysfunction
The presence of any screening abnormality was 100% sensitive (range 88-100%) and 87% specific.
The presence of 2 or more screening abnormalities was more specific (97%) but less sensitive (25%).
