Rheumatic heart disease and Sneddon's syndrome.

BACKGROUND As the pathogenesis of Sneddon's syndrome is unknown, research for associated disease can facilitate our understanding. CASE DESCRIPTION Of nine patients with Sneddon's syndrome, three had rheumatic heart disease (mitral valve stenosis, regurgitation, or both) due to rheumatic fever or Sydenham's chorea. Transient anticardiolipin antibodies or positive skin lupus band test were present. CONCLUSIONS Sneddon's syndrome can have multiple causes. In some patients, rheumatic heart disease is a possible causal association.