Libman-sacks endocarditis exclusively involving the tricuspid valve in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus

Abstract

Libman-Sacks endocarditis, characterized by sterile verrucous vegetations, is a rare but typical cardiac manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus. It primarily leads to lesions of the mitral and aortic valves, but isolated tricuspid valve involvement is exceptional. We report the case of a 40-year-old woman with large tricuspid valve vegetations, thickening, and regurgitation. Clinical findings and laboratory tests confirmed the diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus. The patient successfully recovered following tricuspid valve replacement. Echocardiography is the definitive imaging modality for assessing cardiac valvular involvement, choosing appropriate therapy, and evaluating the prognosis of Libman-Sacks endocarditis in systemic lupus erythematosus. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 43:265-267, 2015.

Keywords: Libman-Sacks endocarditis; echocardiography; systemic lupus erythematosus; tricuspid valve.