Cardiac implications of Lyme disease, diagnosis and therapeutic approach

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Cardiology
• Tick-borne Illnesses

Background:

• Lyme disease is a globally distributed tick-borne illness caused by Borrelia species.
• Clinical manifestations of Lyme disease vary, influenced by pathogen genetic diversity and epidemiology.
• Cardiac involvement, or Lyme carditis, is an uncommon but significant manifestation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the spectrum of cardiac manifestations associated with Lyme disease.
• To highlight the common cardiac abnormalities and potential complications.
• To emphasize the importance of timely diagnosis and treatment for prognosis.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies on Lyme disease and cardiac involvement.
• Analysis of reported cases of Lyme carditis.
• Synthesis of information on clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management.

Main Results:

• Atrioventricular block is the most frequent cardiac abnormality in Lyme carditis.
• Other reported cardiac issues include pericarditis, myocarditis, cardiomyopathy, and valvular disease linked to Borrelia burgdorferi.
• Unstable patients may necessitate temporary cardiac pacing.

Conclusions:

• Lyme carditis, though rare, presents with diverse cardiac abnormalities, primarily conduction disturbances.
• Effective treatment of the underlying Borrelia burgdorferi infection is crucial.
• With appropriate management, conduction disturbances in Lyme carditis generally have a good prognosis.