Journal article

Publication year: 2010

Pages: 300-304

Journal: Medizinische Klinik

Volume number: 105

Issue number: 4

ISSN: 0723-5003

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00063-010-1048-0

Publisher: Springer Verlag (Germany)

Abstract: 

A 51-year-old woman diagnosed as having valvular cardiomyopathy since age 34 was admitted for an evaluation for a heart transplant because of progressive congestive heart failure. When antiphospholipid antibodies were detected, the diagnosis of a thus far undetected systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) was confirmed, manifesting primarily by cardiac involvement and an antiphospholipid antibody syndrome. Despite an advanced stage of heart failure, the patient responded well to azathioprine. Nevertheless, the potential necessity of a heart transplant remained. Its atypical presentation impeded a timely diagnosis of SLE significantly, however, in retrospect the correct diagnosis would have been possible at an earlier time point.

Though rare, SLE represents an important differential diagnosis in cases of severe valvular disease and cardiomyopathy, particularly in young women.

Harvard Citation style: Tarner, I., Lange, U., Madlener, K., Classen, K., Kandolf, R., Sperzel, J., et al. (2010) A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing: Atypical Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) Presenting as Cardiovascular Disease, Medizinische Klinik, 105(4), pp. 300-304. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00063-010-1048-0

APA Citation style: Tarner, I., Lange, U., Madlener, K., Classen, K., Kandolf, R., Sperzel, J., & Mueller-Ladner, U. (2010). A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing: Atypical Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) Presenting as Cardiovascular Disease. Medizinische Klinik. 105(4), 300-304. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00063-010-1048-0