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Published on: September 17, 2021

[Lyme carditis presenting as acute coronary syndrome: a case report]

Paweł Rostoff1, Ewa Konduracka, Nader El Massri

  • 1Klinika Choroby Wieńcowej, Instytut Kardiologii, Collegium Medicum Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego, Krakowski SzpitalSpecjalistyczny im. Jana Pawła II, Kraków. prostoff@vp.pl

Kardiologia Polska
|May 14, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Lyme carditis can mimic heart attacks in young adults. Prompt antibiotic treatment led to complete recovery, highlighting the importance of considering Lyme disease in cardiovascular emergencies.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Medical Case Reports

Background:

  • Lyme borreliosis is a tick-borne illness with potential cardiac manifestations.
  • Cardiovascular involvement in Lyme disease, known as Lyme carditis, can present with diverse symptoms.

Observation:

  • A 26-year-old male presented with symptoms suggestive of acute coronary syndrome.
  • Initial investigations included electrocardiography, cardiac biomarkers, and coronary angiography, which revealed normal coronary arteries.
  • The patient experienced significant ventricular arrhythmias during diagnostic procedures.

Findings:

  • Echocardiography demonstrated mild global left ventricular dysfunction (ejection fraction 50%).
  • Serologic testing confirmed Lyme carditis.
  • Complete recovery was achieved after 21 days of intravenous ceftriaxone therapy.

Implications:

  • This case underscores the importance of considering Lyme carditis in the differential diagnosis of acute coronary syndromes, especially in endemic areas.
  • Early diagnosis and appropriate antibiotic treatment are crucial for favorable outcomes in Lyme carditis.
  • Further research into the cardiovascular manifestations of Lyme borreliosis is warranted.

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