ABSTRACT
Background: Left ventricular non compaction (LVNC) is a structural abnormality of the left ventricular myocardium of unknown cause. Cardiovascular system involvement is an important manifestation, in juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus (jSLE), considered as a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Pericardium, myocardium, endocardium, heart valves, coronary vessels, and cardiac autonomic functions may be affected in jSLE patients. LVNC occurs in isolation or associated with neuromuscular disorders (NMDs). However, its association with jSLE was rarely described.
Herein, We aimed to present a case of a jSLE patient with LVNC.Case presentation: According to the SLICC 2012 criteria, a 15-year-old girl was diagnosed with jSLE with a past history of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis presented with paroxysmal chest pain, exertional dyspnea, headache, and polyarthralgia. Clinical examination revealed a febrile patient. There was no polypnea, no evidence of right heart failure, no audible murmur on cardiac auscultation, and no edema of the lower limbs. The biological analysis revealed a Leucopenia, anemia, elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein. The immunological test revealed homogeneous antinuclear antibodies at 1/10 000 with the positivity of both anti-native DNA and anti-SSA antibodies. The electrocardiogram showed sinus tachycardia and a cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI) was performed confirming the non-compaction of the LV with an hypertrabeculated sub-endocardium. The patient received high-dose corticosteroids associated with beta-blocker therapy with a favorable outcome. Conclusion: We reported one of the rare, documented cases of a girl with LVNC associated jSLE with a past history of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Thus, the association between jSLE, and LVNC should be considered, and requires further research in order to find the probable mechanism joining both entities.