[Association of antiphospholipid antibodies with valvular heart disease in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus].

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association of antiphospholipid antibodies with the valvular lesions in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Two-dimensional and color Doppler echocardiographic studies were performed in 65 patients with SLE. Antiphospholipid antibodies were assayed in each patient using two methods: anticardiolipin antibody and lupus anticoagulant. Valvular lesions were observed in 43 patients (66.2%). Mitral or aortic regurgitation (MR or AR) were recognized in 37 patients (56.9%). Moderate or severe MR were significantly associated with antiphospholipid antibodies (20.0%, p < 0.01) compared with patients without antiphospholipid antibodies (2%). Four of nine patients with moderate to severe AR or MR developed cerebral infarctions or digital infarctions. It is suggested that there may be a causal link between antiphospholipid antibodies and moderate to severe valvular lesions in SLE.