What characterizes cardiac sarcoidosis?

Cardiac sarcoidosis is characterized by the formation of granulomas, which are small clusters of inflammatory cells, in the heart tissue. These granulomas can disrupt normal cardiac function, leading to complications such as arrhythmias, heart block, and heart failure. The presence of these inflammatory cells indicates an immune system response that can cause scarring and affect the heart's structure and electrical conduction pathways. This disruption is central to the pathology of cardiac sarcoidosis, highlighting the importance of identifying and managing this condition to improve patient outcomes.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately describe the characteristics of cardiac sarcoidosis. A buildup of cholesterol pertains to atherosclerosis and other cardiovascular diseases, a viral infection implies direct viral myocarditis, and inherited forms of heart disease refer to genetic cardiomyopathies, none of which align with the inflammatory and granulomatous nature of sarcoidosis.