Libman-Sacks endocarditis, characterised by small sterile vegetations on both surfaces of the mitral valve leaflets, is pathognomonically associated with which systemic condition?

• A Marantic (non-bacterial thrombotic) endocarditis in terminal cancer
• B Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) ✓
• C Rheumatic fever with mitral regurgitation
• D Infective endocarditis due to Streptococcus viridans

Explanation

Libman-Sacks endocarditis is the endocardial manifestation of SLE; small, irregular, flat vegetations occur on both surfaces of valve leaflets (especially mitral), unlike the nodular lesions of rheumatic fever (only line of closure) or the bulky friable lesions of infective endocarditis. Antiphospholipid antibodies contribute to the sterile thrombotic process. Marantic endocarditis complicates hypercoagulable states in debilitating illness.

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

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.