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Mitral valve prolapse in systemic lupus erythematosus
Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology
|January 1, 1987
Summary
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients show a higher prevalence of mitral valve prolapse compared to healthy individuals. This suggests mitral valve prolapse may indicate cardiac involvement in SLE.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Rheumatology
- Immunology
Background:
- Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease with potential cardiac involvement, often undetected clinically.
- Autopsy studies indicate significant endocardial and myocardial disease in approximately 50% of SLE patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is a clinical manifestation of cardiac involvement in SLE.
- To compare the prevalence of MVP in SLE patients versus a healthy control group.
Main Methods:
- An echocardiographic study was conducted involving 51 SLE patients and 102 age- and sex-matched healthy controls.
- Prevalence of mitral valve prolapse was assessed in both groups.
Main Results:
- Mitral valve prolapse was found in 25% of SLE patients, significantly higher than the 9% observed in healthy controls (p < 0.01).
- No association was found between MVP prevalence and pericardial effusion or long-term corticosteroid treatment.
Conclusions:
- Mitral valve prolapse is a statistically significant finding in SLE patients, suggesting it is a manifestation of cardiac involvement.
- Pathological mechanisms may include Libman-Sacks verrucae and myocardial scarring affecting the mitral valve apparatus.