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Transient prolonged corrected QT interval in Lyme disease.
Stephen P Seslar1, Charles I Berul, Thomas R Burklow
1Arrhythmia Service, Department of Cardiology, Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.
The Journal of Pediatrics
|June 2, 2006
Summary
Lyme disease can affect the heart, causing atrioventricular block. This study reports a new finding: QT interval prolongation in three patients with Lyme carditis, a previously undocumented cardiac manifestation.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Electrophysiology
Background:
- Lyme disease, a tick-borne illness caused by Borrelia burgdorferi, commonly presents with dermatologic, neurologic, or arthritic symptoms.
- Cardiovascular involvement, known as Lyme carditis, is a recognized complication, typically manifesting as atrioventricular (AV) block.
Observation:
- Three patients with confirmed Lyme disease presented with an unusual cardiac finding.
- These patients exhibited significant QT interval prolongation on their electrocardiograms.
Findings:
- QT interval prolongation is identified as a novel and previously unreported manifestation of Lyme carditis.
- This finding expands the spectrum of cardiac complications associated with Borrelia burgdorferi infection.
Implications:
- The recognition of QT interval prolongation in Lyme carditis is crucial for accurate diagnosis and patient management.
- This observation necessitates a re-evaluation of cardiac monitoring protocols for patients with Lyme disease.
- A proposed clinical management approach for this specific cardiac manifestation is discussed.