Libman-Sacks Endocarditis in a Puerpera With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Abstract

Libman-Sacks (LS) endocarditis is rarely seen in the prenatal and puerperal periods and is generally reported as a cardiac manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus. In this report, we present a rare case of congestive heart failure after vaginal delivery. The patient was diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus and LS endocarditis based on the transesophageal echocardiographic and laboratory findings. After steroid therapy, the vegetations on the mitral valve disappeared and mitral regurgitation reduced dramatically without a cardiac surgery. The patient achieved long-term clinical improvement at 3-year follow-up. Immunosuppressive therapy could be an effective treatment for acute congestive heart failure induced by LS endocarditis.