title: Systemic lupus erythematosus and transient left ventricular noncompaction.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Myocarditis is a rare but serious manifestation of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC) is a disorder of myocardial morphogenesis frequently associated to neuromuscular diseases. Hypertrabeculation, a cardinal echocardiographic feature of LVNC, might represent a morphological expression of a number of morbidities, nevertheless. The relationship of LVNC with connective tissue disorders such as SLE is unknown. We aim to present a case of a patient with SLE who recently showed features compatible with an atypical LVNC.
  
  
  METHODS
  To report a case of a young female with a 10-year history of SLE who developed haematological disease activity and cardiac failure.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ecocardiography showed hypertrabeculation/noncompaction, a very low ejection fraction and pulmonary hypertension. Clinical and echocardiographic features reverted with standard treatment for SLE activity and cardiac insufficiency.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The transitory aspect of the cardiomyopathy made unlikely a "true" LVNC for this patient, but she might have presented a lupus myocarditis with "LVNC-like" features. The occurrence of hypertrabeculated myocardium in patients with SLE warrants further studies.
authors.forename: Cristina Ferreira
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Rabelo
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Batistella
authors.forename: Ronaldo Nunes
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Godinho
authors.forename: Tiago Santini
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Machado
authors.forename: Flavio José Petersen
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Velho
authors.forename: Henrique Luiz
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Staub
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D056830:Isolated Noncompaction of the Ventricular Myocardium / Q000209:etiology*; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000150:complications*