Végétation tricuspidienne au cours d’une maladie de Still, une manifestation non infectieuse rare de lésion intracardiaque

Neurologic complications of nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis

Endocarditis is an inflammatory or infective condition affecting the cardiac valves or endocardium, often associated with serious neurological sequelae. Nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis (NBTE)-referred to as degenerative, Libman-Sachs, marantic, verrucous, or terminal endocarditis-is a serious but rare cause of valvular heart disease characterized by deposition of sterile vegetations of fibrin and platelet aggregates on the cardiac valves, eventually resulting in life-threatening embolization of these thrombi to the brain, limbs, or visceral organs. NBTE may complicate a heterogeneous group of chronic conditions, predominantly connective tissue and autoimmune disorders, malignancies, and diseases associated with hypercoagulability states. NBTE usually affects the native rather than prosthetic valves, and unlike infective endocarditis (IE), sparing the involved valve function without its destruction. Compared to those seen in IE, vegetations in NBTE are small and friable, thus may easily be dislodged leading to systemic thromboembolism with devastating morbidities and mortality. There are no diagnostic criteria for NBTE, and antemortem diagnosis is challenging. The condition should be suspected in patients with thromboembolic events and vegetations on the cardiac valves on echocardiographic or cardiac imaging studies, in the absence of underlying infection, especially in disorders predisposing to coagulopathy. Early recognition and prompt treatment of the primary underlying disorder is essential. Anticoagulation with heparin or heparinoid products is recommended to prevent recurrent embolism. Surgical intervention is not indicated except in selected patients with life-threatening recurrent embolism.

[Libman-Sacks endocarditis under apixaban in a patient with a high-risk profile venous antiphospholipid syndrome]

INTRODUCTION

Libman-Sacks endocarditis is a rare complication of antiphospholipid syndrome. Anti-vitamin K therapy is the standard treatment, although valvular replacement surgery may be required in some severe cases. In the latest EULAR recommendations, it is advised not to use direct oral anticoagulants in the management of antiphospholipid syndrome, especially of high-risk profile.

CASE REPORT

We present a case of a mitral Libman-Sacks endocarditis complicated with multiple strokes occurring in the setting of an antiphospholipid syndrome with triple positive antibody profile in a 63-year-old woman with multiple sclerosis. She was previously treated with apixaban for two years. Tinzaparin followed by prolonged warfarine treatment and two months of hydroxychloroquine resulted in valvular improvement.

CONCLUSION

To our knowledge, this is the first case of Libman-Sacks endocarditis occurring during apixaban therapy in a patient with antiphospholipid syndrome. This severe case highlights the inefficiency of direct oral anticoagulants to prevent thrombotic events in the antiphospholipid syndrome.

[Adult-onset Still's disease complications]

Adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD), first described in 1971 by Bywaters, is a rare systemic auto-inflammatory disorder of unknown etiology, characterized by a symptomatic triad associating prolonged fever, polyarthritis and rash. The management of this disease has significantly improved since its first description, and, although the overall prognosis of the AOSD is good, with a low attributable mortality, below 3% (but up to 18% depending on the series), some rare complications are still possible, can be life-threatening and change the prognosis of the disease. A literature search was performed to review AOSD's complications: reactive hemophagocytic lymphohystiocytosis, coagulation disorders, fulminant hepatitis, cardiovascular (pericarditis, myocarditis, HTAP) or pulmonary complications, neurologic, renal complications, and AA amyloidosis. For most of AOSD-related complications, corticosteroids remain the first-line treatment, in association with supportive care measures in case of severe complications. In case of inadequate response, multidisciplinary care with concil from a referral center is advised, and IL-1 or IL-6 blockers, but also ciclosporine, are the molecule to use in second intention.