Article Text
Summary
A 54-year-old Caucasian woman presented with an episode of loss of consciousness and dysphasia. MRI revealed a number of ischaemic foci indicating an embolic source. Echocardiography showed a mitral valve vegetation. After taking three sets of blood cultures, she was started on empirical treatment for infective endocarditis. The blood cultures remained negative and a presumed diagnosis of culture-negative endocarditis was entertained. However, despite the antibiotic therapy, the patient deteriorated further. Subsequently the patient was found to be positive for antiphospholipid antibodies. Eventually, after a convoluted hospital stay, a diagnosis of antiphospholipid syndrome complicated by Libman-Sacks endocarditis was reached. The patient was treated with steroids and anticoagulation with dramatic improvement.
- immunology
- stroke
- vasculitis
- connective tissue disease
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Footnotes
Contributors SM was involved with the case data collection, the case write-up and literature review in preparation for the discussion. CMA was the caring consultant of the patient and critically reviewed the case report.
Funding The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.
Competing interests None declared.
Patient consent Obtained.
Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.