A Case of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in a Patient Presenting with Libman-Sacks Endocarditis

Background. Libman-Sacks endocarditis (LSE) is a rare cardiovascular manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus/antiphospholipid syndrome that is described as a sterile verrucous nonbacterial vegetative lesion. These lesions can cause progressive damage to the heart valves leading to valve surger...

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Main Authors: Mariann Al-Jehani, Faisal Al-Husayni, Ahmed Almaqati, Jomanah Shahbaz, Saad Albugami, Wail Alameen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2021-01-01
Series:Case Reports in Cardiology
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2021/5573141
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author Mariann Al-Jehani
Faisal Al-Husayni
Ahmed Almaqati
Jomanah Shahbaz
Saad Albugami
Wail Alameen
author_facet Mariann Al-Jehani
Faisal Al-Husayni
Ahmed Almaqati
Jomanah Shahbaz
Saad Albugami
Wail Alameen
author_sort Mariann Al-Jehani
collection DOAJ
description Background. Libman-Sacks endocarditis (LSE) is a rare cardiovascular manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus/antiphospholipid syndrome that is described as a sterile verrucous nonbacterial vegetative lesion. These lesions can cause progressive damage to the heart valves leading to valve surgery. The most common valves to be affected are the aortic and mitral valves. Libman-Sacks endocarditis is associated with malignancies, other systemic diseases like systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APS). The majority of LSE patients are usually asymptomatic. Case Summary. We describe a 39-year-old male patient who presented with increasing shortness of breath and pulmonary congestion. He was found to have severe mitral valve regurgitation and mitral stenosis. Transesophageal echocardiogram confirmed the diagnosis of Libman-Sacks endocarditis with thickened mitral valve leaflets with symmetrical mass-like structure causing a restriction in the valve function during both cardiac phases later diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus by immunology. The patient was started on diuretics, anticoagulants, angiotensin inhibitors, beta-blockers, and hydroxychloroquine. He underwent successful mechanical mitral valve replacement with a 27 mm St. Jude valve. The mitral valve was found to be grossly thickened with friable tissue and complete amalgamation of the leaflets with subvalvular apparatus. The patient suffered some warfarin adverse effects a year later but did well otherwise. Conclusion. This case demonstrates that Libman-Sacks endocarditis can be the first manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus. Early and prompt diagnosis of LSE can prevent and lessen the many side effects associated with thromboembolism. Additionally, addressing the underlying disease is key to successful treatment.
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spelling doaj-art-b32877a275d345aba69ef8b1fe24af372025-08-20T03:39:18ZengWileyCase Reports in Cardiology2090-64042090-64122021-01-01202110.1155/2021/55731415573141A Case of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in a Patient Presenting with Libman-Sacks EndocarditisMariann Al-Jehani0Faisal Al-Husayni1Ahmed Almaqati2Jomanah Shahbaz3Saad Albugami4Wail Alameen5King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Jeddah, Saudi ArabiaKing Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Jeddah, Saudi ArabiaDepartment of Internal Medicine, National Guard Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi ArabiaKing Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Jeddah, Saudi ArabiaKing Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Jeddah, Saudi ArabiaDepartment of Cardiac Sciences, King Faisal Cardiac Center, National Guard Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi ArabiaBackground. Libman-Sacks endocarditis (LSE) is a rare cardiovascular manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus/antiphospholipid syndrome that is described as a sterile verrucous nonbacterial vegetative lesion. These lesions can cause progressive damage to the heart valves leading to valve surgery. The most common valves to be affected are the aortic and mitral valves. Libman-Sacks endocarditis is associated with malignancies, other systemic diseases like systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APS). The majority of LSE patients are usually asymptomatic. Case Summary. We describe a 39-year-old male patient who presented with increasing shortness of breath and pulmonary congestion. He was found to have severe mitral valve regurgitation and mitral stenosis. Transesophageal echocardiogram confirmed the diagnosis of Libman-Sacks endocarditis with thickened mitral valve leaflets with symmetrical mass-like structure causing a restriction in the valve function during both cardiac phases later diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus by immunology. The patient was started on diuretics, anticoagulants, angiotensin inhibitors, beta-blockers, and hydroxychloroquine. He underwent successful mechanical mitral valve replacement with a 27 mm St. Jude valve. The mitral valve was found to be grossly thickened with friable tissue and complete amalgamation of the leaflets with subvalvular apparatus. The patient suffered some warfarin adverse effects a year later but did well otherwise. Conclusion. This case demonstrates that Libman-Sacks endocarditis can be the first manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus. Early and prompt diagnosis of LSE can prevent and lessen the many side effects associated with thromboembolism. Additionally, addressing the underlying disease is key to successful treatment.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2021/5573141
spellingShingle Mariann Al-Jehani
Faisal Al-Husayni
Ahmed Almaqati
Jomanah Shahbaz
Saad Albugami
Wail Alameen
A Case of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in a Patient Presenting with Libman-Sacks Endocarditis
Case Reports in Cardiology
title A Case of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in a Patient Presenting with Libman-Sacks Endocarditis
title_full A Case of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in a Patient Presenting with Libman-Sacks Endocarditis
title_fullStr A Case of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in a Patient Presenting with Libman-Sacks Endocarditis
title_full_unstemmed A Case of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in a Patient Presenting with Libman-Sacks Endocarditis
title_short A Case of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in a Patient Presenting with Libman-Sacks Endocarditis
title_sort case of systemic lupus erythematosus in a patient presenting with libman sacks endocarditis
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2021/5573141
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