A 38-year-old Hispanic woman with paradoxical embolism and Libman-Sacks endocarditis involving the tricuspid valve

J Am Soc Echocardiogr. 2007 Nov;20(11):1316.e5-7. doi: 10.1016/j.echo.2007.03.013. Epub 2007 Jun 27.

Abstract

Libman-Sacks endocarditis is a well-described clinical entity in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Transesophageal echocardiography is the definitive imaging modality used in assessing cardiac valvular involvement in this disease process. Herein we describe a young Hispanic woman with systemic lupus erythematosus and multiple tricuspid valvular vegetations who developed splenic and cerebral infarctions while on optimal anticoagulation therapy with warfarin in the setting of a newly diagnosed patent foramen ovale. A review of the literature on Libman-Sacks endocarditis and patent foramen ovale closure is presented.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Embolism, Paradoxical / complications*
  • Embolism, Paradoxical / diagnostic imaging*
  • Endocarditis / complications*
  • Endocarditis / diagnostic imaging*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / complications*
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / diagnostic imaging*
  • Tricuspid Valve / diagnostic imaging*
  • Ultrasonography