title: Retinal artery embolization complicating Libman-Sacks endocarditis in a systemic lupus erythematosus patient.
abstract: Libman-Sacks endocarditis (LSE) is the most characteristic cardiac manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). It is usually clinically silent but heart failure due to valvular dysfunction, secondary infective endocarditis and embolic phenomena can complicate valvular abnormalities. We present a patient with SLE and blindness due to right central retinal artery occlusion. Echocardiographic examination revealed a verrucous vegetation on the posterior mitral valve leaflet consistent with LSE. Anticoagulation therapy was started. Echocardiographic regression of the vegetation was observed and there has been no recurrence of thromboembolic events to date.
authors.affiliation: Serviço de Cardiologia, Hospital de Santarém, Santarém, Portugal. liliana.marta@gmail.com
authors.forename: Liliana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Marta
authors.forename: Maria Luz
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Pitta
authors.forename: Marisa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Peres
authors.forename: Vítor
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ferreira
authors.forename: Maria Clotilde
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Puga
authors.forename: Davide
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Severino
authors.forename: Graça Ferreira da
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Silva
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D004617:Embolism / Q000209:etiology*; D004696:Endocarditis / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000150:complications*; D012161:Retinal Artery; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000209:etiology*