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Published on: December 11, 2017
Aortic valve replacement for Libman-Sacks endocarditis
Uday P Dandekar1, Richard Watkin, Navin Chandra
1Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Edgbaston, Birmingham, United Kingdom. uday.dandekar@uhb.nhs.uk
Insights
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) can affect the heart, leading to Libman-Sacks endocarditis. This case highlights successful aortic valve replacement for severe regurgitation caused by SLE-related endocarditis.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Rheumatology
- Immunology
Background:
- Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease with potential cardiac manifestations.
- Cardiac involvement in SLE can affect various heart structures, including valves, myocardium, and the conduction system.
Observation:
- Libman-Sacks endocarditis, a characteristic valvular manifestation of SLE, involves verrucous vegetations on heart valves.
- A patient with SLE presented with severe aortic regurgitation secondary to Libman-Sacks endocarditis.
Findings:
- The valvular damage in this SLE patient resulted in significant aortic regurgitation.
- The patient's aortic regurgitation was successfully treated with mechanical aortic valve replacement.
Implications:
- This case underscores the importance of recognizing and managing cardiac complications in SLE patients.
- Surgical intervention, such as valve replacement, can be effective in treating severe valvular heart disease caused by SLE.
Abstract:
Cardiac involvement is a recognized complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), which can involve most cardiac components, including pericardium, conduction system, myocardium, heart valves, and coronaries. Libman-Sacks (verrucous) endocarditis is the characteristic cardiac valvular manifestation. We report a patient with SLE who had severe aortic regurgitation caused by Libman-Sacks endocarditis. The patient underwent successful mechanical aortic valve replacement.
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