[Double heart valve replacement disclosing antiphospholipid syndrome]

In patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) heart valve lesions are usually discovered at echocardiography; their haemodynamic repercussions are uncommon, and valve replacement is exceptional. We report the case of a woman who had undergone aortic and mitral valve replacement before antiphospholipid antibodies were found associated with 4 ARA criteria of SLE. Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of Libman-Sachs specific endocarditis. The presence of antiphospholipid antibodies leads to a discussion of their role in the physiopathology of the heart valve lesions and vascular accidents that occurred in this patient. The overlap observed between the diagnostic criteria of SLE and those of primary antiphospholipid syndrome is discussed. Heart valve lesions may be one of the modes of access to the antiphospholipid syndrome.