Pulmonary arterial dilation with normal pulmonary artery pressure in sarcoidosis

Abstract

In this paper we present a clinical case that has improved on our knowledge and our curiosity about sarcoidosis. We report a case of a patient known to have pulmonary sarcoidosis, who presents with respiratory failure with severe hypercapnia. Following thorough investigations this patient was recognized to have three unique yet interrelated aspects of clinical manifestations. He was found to have severe bilateral diaphragmatic hypokinesis, dilated pulmonary vasculature with normal pulmonary pressure, and a state of high output right sided heart failure. We propose an explanation of such a presentation, while we attempted to discuss possible alternative mechanisms. In conclusion, we report this case as the first recognized case of sarcoidosis to be related to diffusely dilated pulmonary vasculature of normal vascular pressure.