Clinical Trial: Libman-Sacks Endocarditis as a Cause of Neuropsychiatric Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Study Status: Completed
Recruit Status: Completed
Study Type: Interventional
Official Title: Libman-Sacks Endocarditis as a Cause of Neuropsychiatric Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Brief Summary:
The purpose of this study is to determine whether Libman-Sacks endocarditis (inflammation of the heart valves) is the cause of neuropsychiatric manifestations (stroke, transient ischemic attacks, cognitive dysfunction, seizures, acute confusional state, or psychosis) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.
Hypothesis of the study: Libman-Sacks endocarditis (especially valve vegetations or "small valve growths") generate macro (large) and micro (tiny) emboli that occlude the medium and small cerebral vessels resulting in altered perfusion, ischemic brain injury, and major NPSLE (stroke, TIA, seizures, cognitive dysfunction, acute confusional state, or psychosis).
Detailed Summary:
Specific Aim 1: To determine cross-sectionally in SLE subjects the effects of valve vegetations detected by TEE on the presence of active cerebral microemboli, altered perfusion, ischemic brain lesions, and NPSLE. Findings in SLE patients will be compared to those in controls.
Specific Aim 2: To determine longitudinally in patients with new or recurrent NPSLE and during remission whether valve vegetations, active cerebral microemboli, and abnormal cerebral perfusion improve, or normalize when compared to baseline data in patients without NPSLE or matched controls.
Specific Aim 3: To determine cross-sectionally in SLE subjects the presence of active cerebral microemboli, altered brain perfusion, brain injury, and NPSLE in relation to other valve abnormalities, such as valve thickening or valve regurgitation, in addition to or independently of valve vegetations; and to determine longitudinally these relationships in patients with NPSLE. Findings in SLE patients will be compared to baseline data in patients without NPSLE or matched controls.
Our SLE/NPSLE cohort of >400 subjects and our extensive cardiac and neuroimaging experience with TEE and MR-based techniques are essential resources for this study. We will integrate inflammatory and hemostatic parameters with multiple imaging modalities to investigate the causal connection between valve vegetations and the generation of microemboli and perfusion abnormalities, which then result in brain injury and NPSLE. A causal connection of valve vegetations to brain injury and NPSLE would result in a fundamental shift in the understanding of the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and therapy of Libman-Sacks endocarditis and NPSLE. These findings may extend to other inflammatory diseases associated with valve disease and complicated with cent
Sponsor: University of New Mexico
Current Primary Outcome: To determine cross-sectionally in SLE subjects the effects of valve vegetations on the presence of active cerebral microemboli, altered perfusion, ischemic brain lesions, and NPSLE. Findings in patients will be compared to those in controls. [ Time Frame: 4 years ]
Original Primary Outcome: Same as current
Current Secondary Outcome: To determine longitudinally in patients with new or recurrent NPSLE if during remission vegetations, cerebral microemboli, and abnormal cerebral perfusion improve, or normalize as compared to baseline data in patients without NPSLE or matched controls. [ Time Frame: 4 years ]
Original Secondary Outcome: Same as current
Information By: University of New Mexico
Dates:
Date Received: March 9, 2009
Date Started: August 2006
Date Completion:
Last Updated: June 25, 2013
Last Verified: June 2013
