Libman-Sacks endocarditis, a non-infective endocarditis, is characteristically seen in which condition and has what unique morphologic feature?
- A Rheumatic fever — large friable vegetations on the line of closure of leaflets
- B IV drug use — large destructive vegetations on tricuspid valve
- C SLE — small, flat, sterile vegetations on BOTH surfaces of the mitral valve ✓
- D Terminal illness (marantic endocarditis) — small flat vegetations at leaflet tips
Explanation
Libman-Sacks endocarditis in SLE is characterized by small, flat, irregular, sterile vegetations (immune complex deposits with fibrin) that can occur on either or both surfaces (atrial and ventricular) of the mitral valve leaflets — a feature unique to this condition. Rheumatic endocarditis shows 1-3 mm beaded vegetations along the line of leaflet closure with subsequent fibrous thickening. Infective endocarditis in IV drug users classically involves the tricuspid valve with large destructive vegetations. Marantic (non-bacterial thrombotic) endocarditis shows small, flat, sterile vegetations at leaflet tips in cachectic patients.
Reference: Robbins & Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease, 10th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.