Libman-Sacks endocarditis is characterized by which histological feature and is most associated with which condition?

• A Large vegetations on the valve undersurface; infective endocarditis
• B Warty vegetations along the line of closure; rheumatic fever
• C Large, friable vegetations on damaged valves; bacterial endocarditis
• D Small, flat, sterile vegetations on BOTH surfaces of the mitral valve; SLE ✓

Explanation

Libman-Sacks endocarditis (nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis in SLE) produces small, flat, sterile vegetations that can occur on either surface of the mitral and tricuspid valves, often near the base rather than the tips. This distinguishes it from rheumatic endocarditis (tips, line of closure) and bacterial endocarditis (large, destructive). The vegetations are composed of fibrin and are pathologically associated with antiphospholipid antibodies in SLE.

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

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.