An autopsy study of cardiac valves in systemic lupus erythematosus classically describes sterile vegetations that are:

• A Large, friable, and confined to the atrial surfaces of mitral leaflets
• B Calcified masses on the line of closure of the aortic cusps
• C Small, warty, and present on both sides of the valve leaflets ✓
• D Bulkier than infective vegetations and located on the ventricular surface of the aortic valve

Explanation

Libman-Sacks endocarditis produces small, sterile, verrucous vegetations of platelets and fibrin deposited on both surfaces (the undersurface and free margin as well as the contact line) of mitral and occasionally other leaflets, a distribution unique among valve lesions. Option A describes the typical location of infective vegetations, and bulky friable masses characterise marantic or infective endocarditis instead.

Reference: Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease, 10th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.