Libman-Sacks endocarditis is a non-infective endocarditis associated with systemic lupus erythematosus. Its characteristic vegetations differ from those in infective endocarditis by:

• A Large, friable, bulky vegetations on the atrial surface of the mitral valve only
• B Small, flat vegetations exclusively on the ventricular surface of the aortic valve
• C Vegetation formation limited to the chordae tendineae and papillary muscles
• D Small, flat, sterile vegetations on both surfaces of the mitral valve leaflets ✓

Explanation

Libman-Sacks (non-infective, verrucous) endocarditis in SLE produces small, warty, sterile vegetations on either surface (atrial and ventricular) of the mitral and tricuspid valve leaflets, often along the line of closure. This bilateral surface involvement distinguishes it from rheumatic fever (atrial surface, line of closure only) and from infective endocarditis (large, bulky, destructive vegetations at leaflet edges). The pathogenesis involves immune complex deposition and antiphospholipid antibody-mediated endothelial injury.

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

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.