title: Valvular heart disease associated with systemic lupus erythematosus - the Tygerberg Hospital experience.
abstract: BACKGROUND: Valvular heart disease is the most important cardiac manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We performed a study to determine the presence of valvular heart disease in our patients with SLE. METHODS: We performed clinical, electrocardiographic, transthoracic echocardiographic and laboratory evaluations in 24 patients with SLE. The echocardiographic findings were compared with those of 10 age- and sex-matched volunteers. RESULTS: None of the 24 patients had obvious symptoms of cardiac origin. Valvular abnormalities were common. Valvular thickening was the most predominant finding (more than 50%), followed by mitral valvular regurgitation (12.5%) and pericardial effusions (12.5%). Valvular abnormalities were uncommon in the control group. CONCLUSION: Valvular heart disease is common in our patient population with SLE, although haemodynamically significant valvular dysfunction is rare.
authors.forename: K.
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Pont
authors.forename: M. M.
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Pretorius
authors.forename: A. F.
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Doubell
authors.forename: H.
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Reuter