Systemic lupus erythematosus valvulitis: mitral valve replacement with a homograft

For many years, valvulitis in systemic lupus erythematosus has been known to occur. Our patient was a 17-year-old girl who presented with severe mitral incompetence and renal insufficiency due to lupus valvulitis. The patient was first treated by mitral valve repair, but follow-up disclosed precocious calcification of the valve, necessitating mitral valve replacement with a cryopreserved homograft. At follow-up after 1 year, echocardiography has shown the valve to be functioning normally. A reconstructive mitral valve operation would seem to be preferable. However, a conservative operation does not alter the natural history of the disease and the progression of valve thickening and calcification.