This study sought to identify electrocardiographic (ECG) and clinical predictors of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) in sarcoidosis.

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is the leading cause of death in cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) and may be the earliest manifestation of disease. Widespread or repeated advanced imaging is a challenging solution to this problem. ECG is an affordable and widely accessible modality that could help guide diagnostic approaches and risk stratification.

Data were obtained from the National Inpatient Sample (2005–2017) using International Classification of Diseases-9th Revision and -10th Revision-Clinical Modification. The primary outcome was to identify predictors of SCA, whereas predictors of SCA in young individuals and those with normal ventricular function served as secondary measures. Furthermore, temporal trends in sarcoidosis as well as SCA were also analyzed. Logistic regression analysis was used to calculate odds ratios, following which a multivariable regression was used to adjust for potential confounders.

Electrocardiographic markers of AV node dysfunction or bundle branch block are associated with substantially increased risk of SCA in a limited proportion of patients (8.6%). This association is also observed among younger patients (<40 years) and those with normal ventricular function.

ECG evidence of AV nodal dysfunction or distal conduction disease should raise suspicion for cardiac involvement in patients with sarcoidosis and are associated with increased risk of SCA. ECG markers could help identify patients who would benefit from advanced imaging. The sensitivity of ECGs is, however, limited and presence of a normal ECG does not reflect a low risk of SCA.