Lupus Endocarditis

Table of Contents

What is it?

The endocardium is the membrane that lines the inside of the heart.  Endocarditis is inflammation of the endocardium.  In active Lupus, immune complexes can be made that cause inflammation in the endocardium.  This can also be called Libman-Sacks Endocarditis and is more common in patients with Antiphospholipid Syndrome.  Endocarditis can damage the heart valves, but pumping efficiency is rarely affected.  The valves can thicken or develop growths called Libman-Sacks lesions. 

Symptoms may include

Fever

Anemia

Heart murmur

Diagnosis

The best test to diagnose Endocarditis is an EKG.

Treatment

Bacterial Endocarditis is usually treated with intravenous antibiotics.  Libman-Sacks Endocarditis is sometimes treated with corticosteroids, immunosuppressants and/or blood thinners.