2014 HRS Expert Consensus Statement on the Diagnosis and Management of Arrhythmias Associated with Cardiac Sarcoidosis

May 9, 2014—This international expert consensus statement was written by experts in the field who were chosen by the Heart Rhythm Society in collaboration with representatives from the American College of Cardiology, American College of Chest Physicians, American Heart Association, Asia Pacific Heart Rhythm Society, European Hear Rhythm Association, and World Association for Sarcoidosis and Other Granulomatous Disorders (WASOG).

The goals of this document are 1) to establish working criteria for the diagnosis of cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) on the basis of expert opinion and the limited available data; 2) to provide guidance and recommendations to physicians treating extra cardiac sarcoidosis on appropriate screening for possible cardiac involvement; 3) to provide guidance and recommendations to cardiologists and cardiac electro-physiologists on the management of specific arrhythmias associated with CS; 4) to provide guidance and recommendations for risk stratification for sudden cardiac death; 5) to provide guidance and recommendations to cardiac electrophysiologists on appropriate indications for implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) implantation; 6) to identify key are as in which data are lacking to help guide future collaborative research efforts.

The expert consensus opinions described in this document represent an international effort to address the challenges faced by clinicians caring for CS patients. Although the authors believe that this document will help in the management of patients with CS, it is only a starting point for understanding this complex disease.