Using Cell Free DNA to Detect Heart Inflammation in Sarcoidosis Patients and Compare with Healthy People and Heart Attack Patients

What this Trial Is About

Sarcoidosis is a disease that causes granulomas, or clusters of immune cells, in various organs including the heart. This condition can lead to heart muscle inflammation called granulomatous myocarditis, which may cause heart dysfunction and abnormal heart rhythms, potentially resulting in serious health problems or death. Immunosuppressive therapy has been shown to help reverse this inflammation and improve heart function. However, current biomarkers and imaging methods to detect active myocarditis are limited in accuracy or practicality, highlighting the need for better diagnostic tools. This research explores the use of cell free DNA cfDNA, which are fragments of DNA released from damaged heart cells, as a potential biomarker to identify active heart inflammation in sarcoidosis patients. The study involves different groups including sarcoidosis patients with and without active myocarditis, patients with acute heart attacks, and healthy controls. Participants will provide blood samples at various times to measure cfDNA levels, aiming to distinguish active heart inflammation from other conditions. Participants will be involved in blood draws according to group assignments, such as single or multiple samples over hours or months. Researchers will assess cfDNA levels and compare them among groups to understand their relationship with active myocarditis. The study will monitor participants through clinical evaluations and laboratory testing, aiming to improve methods for detecting heart involvement in sarcoidosis and guide future treatment decisions. The trial is planned to continue until June 2028.

Cell Free DNA in Cardiac Sarcoidosis