Heart Valve Lesions In The Antiphospholipid Syndrome

Abstract

The antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL), hypercoagulability leading to vascular thrombosis, and pregnancy morbidity. Since its recognition, a great number of cardiac manifestations have been reported in association with these antibodies, but heart valve abnormalities are the most common cardiac manifestations of the syndrome. They include valve thickness >3 mm, localized thickening involving the leaflet’s proximal or middle portion, and/or irregular nodules on the atrial face of the edge of the mitral valve, and/or the vascular face of the aortic valve. A consensus committee recommended anticoagulation in symptomatic valvular disease. Asymptomatic patients should be prophylactically treated with aspirin. Keywords: Antiphospholipid antibodies, anticardiolipin antibodies, lupus anticoagulant, systemic lupus erythematosus.