Libman-Sacks endocarditis is pathognomonic of which condition, and which heart valve surface does it preferentially affect?

• A Infective endocarditis; preferentially affects the ventricular surface of the aortic valve
• B Systemic lupus erythematosus; affects both surfaces (atrial and ventricular) of the mitral valve ✓
• C Rheumatic fever; affects the line of closure of the mitral valve
• D Hypercoagulable states; affects the atrial surface of the mitral valve

Explanation

Libman-Sacks endocarditis is a nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis associated with SLE and antiphospholipid antibody syndrome. It produces small, sterile, warty vegetations on BOTH surfaces of valve leaflets (atrial and ventricular), characteristically involving the mitral valve but also the tricuspid. This distinguishes it from rheumatic fever (line of closure) and NBTE/marantic endocarditis (atrial surface). Infective endocarditis produces large, destructive vegetations.

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

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.