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Aortic insufficiency and enterococcal endocarditis complicating systemic lupus erythematosus
1Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Hacettepe University Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
Insights
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients with aortic insufficiency and enterococcal endocarditis may require aortic valve replacement. Steroid treatment in SLE can increase valve incompetence risk, necessitating careful cardiac monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Rheumatology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) can cause diverse cardiac complications affecting the endocardium, myocardium, pericardium, and coronary vessels.
- Corticosteroid therapy, common in SLE management, is associated with an increased risk of valvular incompetence.
- Libman-Sacks endocarditis, a rare manifestation of SLE, can lead to severe aortic insufficiency and infective endocarditis.
Abstract:
A case of aortic valve replacement for aortic insufficiency complicated with enterococcal endocarditis in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is described. The cardiac complications of SLE may involve the endocardium, myocardium, pericardium, and coronary vessels. Steroids which are used for treatment probably increase the incidence of valve incompetence. Aortic insufficiency or infective endocarditis complicating Libman-Sacks endocarditis is rarely observed and may require valve replacement. Echocardiography is an important diagnostic tool. Renal function, pulmonary status, and cerebral complications require special attention in these patients.