Isolated tricuspid valve Libman-Sacks endocarditis and valvular stenosis: unusual manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus.

The most common valves involved in systemic lupus erythematosus are the mitral and aortic valves. Although isolated tricuspid valve involvement is quite rare, the authors report such a case. A 42-year-old woman presented with exertional dyspnea and was found to have a cardiac murmur. Echocardiography showed a stenotic tricuspid valve with vegetations on all 3 cusps. No other valvular vegetation could be detected. Concomitant tricuspid regurgitation was noted too. Blood culture results were negative. Clinical findings and serologic tests confirmed the diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus. The patient was successfully treated with prednisolone and hydroxychloroquine, and follow-up echocardiography showed the disappearance of the vegetations. Copyright (c) 2010 American Society of Echocardiography. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.