Mitral Valve Perforation in Libman-Sacks Endocarditis: A Heart-Wrenching Case of Lupus

Early onset left ventricular remodeling in juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus; Insight from 3-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography

BACKGROUND

Early diagnosis and treatment of myocardial affection in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are crucial.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the ventricular systolic function in juvenile-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (j-SLE) patients by 3-D speckle tracking echocardiography (3D-STE) and to determine the predictors of left ventricular (LV) dysfunction if present.

METHODS

Twenty-six SLE patients without heart failure and 21 healthy controls were studied by standard echocardiogram and 3D-STE. Conventional parameters included LV ejection fraction (EF), fractional shortening (FS), and mitral annular plane systolic excursion (MAPSE). Global LV strain (GLS) and global area strain (GAS) were obtained by 3D-STE. Medical records, including diagnosis criteria, duration of disease, and SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI) were evaluated.

RESULTS

The mean age was similar in patients and controls 11.42 vs 11.48 years p  =  0.93. The mean duration of the disease was 1.87 ± 1.02 years and SLEDAI ranged from 0 to 9. By conventional and tissue Doppler imaging echocardiography, only MAPSE was significantly lower in SLE patients compared to controls (14.56 vs 18.46 mm, p < 0.001). By 3D speckle tracking echocardiography, GLS and GAS were significantly reduced in SLE patients compared to controls (-15.07 vs -19.9.4%, -34.6% vs -39.7%, respectively, p < 0.001). Multiple linear regression and ROC analyses indicated that the SLEDAI score was the only predictive factor for the left ventricular remodeling.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that early subclinical LV dysfunction occur in jSLE patients even with normal EF and SLE disease activity might be a potential driver for LV deformation.

Acute papillary muscle infarction and rupture in the puerperium complicating Libman-Sacks endocarditis in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus and antiphospholipid syndrome: a case report

BACKGROUND

Acute heart failure caused by severe mitral regurgitation (MR) due to papillary muscle rupture has been described in the puerperium by case reports; however, the majority of cases of papillary muscle rupture are caused by myocardial infarction. We describe papillary muscle rupture occurring in the postpartum period in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), antiphospholipid syndrome (APLS), and chronic Libman-Sacks endocarditis and explore the multifactorial nature of the papillary muscle infarction and rupture in the setting of postpartum fluid shifts, chronic myocardial injury from Libman-Sacks, and high thrombotic risk.

CASE SUMMARY

A 29-year-old woman presented with acute heart failure 2 weeks' postpartum and was found to have acute MR due to a flail leaflet caused by papillary muscle rupture. She proceeded to emergency surgery with mitral valve (MV) replacement and the histology revealed evidence of chronic Libman-Sacks endocarditis and papillary muscle infarction with thrombi in the intramyocardial arteries.

DISCUSSION

This is the second case report of papillary muscle rupture in the puerperium in a patient with SLE in the literature, the other case was caused by catastrophic APLS. However, in this case, the cause of the rupture is likely to be multifactorial; as a consequence of thrombosis in the microvasculature causing isolated papillary muscle ischaemia, and fibrosis of the muscle due to chronic Libman-Sacks endocarditis resulting in limited pliability which caused rupture of the papillary muscle when faced with the added stress of increased volume that occurs in the puerperium.

The association between systemic lupus erythematosus and valvular heart disease: an extensive data analysis

BACKGROUND

Association between antiphospholipid syndrome in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and valvular heart disease (VHD) is well reported, but relatively few studies have been carried out to establish the linkage between VHD and SLE itself. We aimed to investigate link between VHD and SLE and to evaluate the association of diverse factors with VHD among these patients in a large-scale population-based study.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We used the databases of the largest state-mandated health service organization in Israel. All SLE patients were included (n = 5018) as well as their age and sex-matched controls (n = 25 090), creating a cross-sectional population-based study. Medical records of all subjects were analysed for documented VHD and the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLs). A logistic regression model was carried out to evaluate the diverse factors including SLE and aPLs as independent risk factors for VHD.

RESULTS

Valvular heart disease were found to be more frequent among SLE group when compared to controls (aortic stenosis, 1·08% vs. 0·35% respectively, P < 0·001; aortic insufficiency, 1·32% vs. 0·29% respectively, P < 0·001; mitral stenosis, 0·74% vs. 0·21% respectively, P < 0·001; mitral insufficiency, 1·91% vs. 0·39% respectively, P < 0·001). Male sex, hypertension, aPLs and SLE were found to be significant independent risk factors for VHD.

CONCLUSION

All VHD are more prevalent among SLE patients when compared to controls. SLE and aPLs are independent risk factor for VHD (OR of 2·46 and 1·7, respectively). Physicians must be aware of such significant association, and routine echocardiography should be considered in SLE patients regardless of their aPL status.