Acute myocardial infarction in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus and normal coronary arteries

Although cardiac manifestations such as pericardial, myocardial, and valvular involvement are common in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), coronary artery involvement is less frequent. Clinical manifestations of coronary artery disease in SLE can result from accelerated atherosclerosis, arteritis, abnormal coronary flow reserve, spasm, and thrombosis. In SLE, the classic valvular abnormality consists of noninfective, verrucous vegetation. Thickening of the leaflets due to inflammation followed by fibrosis is common, occurring in about 50% of patients, whereas vegetations are present in about 40%. Mitral valve involvement is most common, with valvular regurgitation more frequent than valvular stenosis. The tricuspid valve and the aortic valve may also be affected. Its frequency varies widely: 13% to 74% in the general population. We report a case of a woman with acute myocardial infarction and normal coronary arteries, who was subsequently diagnosed with Libman-Sacks endocarditis and SLE.