Related Experiment Videos
Persistent atrioventricular block in Lyme borreliosis
W Mayer1, F X Kleber, B Wilske
1Krankenhaus München-Schwabing, Akademisches Lehrkrankenhaus, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München.
Klinische Wochenschrift
|April 17, 1990
Summary
Lyme carditis, caused by Borrelia burgdorferi infection, can lead to persistent atrioventricular conduction defects. Early antibiotic treatment may not prevent long-standing heart block in some Lyme disease patients.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Cardiology
- Neurology
Background:
- Borrelia burgdorferi (B.b.) infection, or Lyme disease, can affect multiple organ systems.
- Cardiac involvement, known as Lyme carditis, typically presents with transient atrioventricular (AV) conduction abnormalities.
Observation:
- A case of persistent impairment of AV conduction following Lyme disease is presented.
- Diagnosis was confirmed through serological testing for B.b. antibodies, spirochete isolation from skin biopsy, and clinical presentation including erythema migrans and Bannwarth syndrome.
Findings:
- The patient experienced complete heart block, initially treated with ceftriaxone.
- Despite prompt antibiotic therapy, persistent first-degree and second-degree (Wenckebach) AV block endured for two years.
Implications:
- Lyme carditis can result in long-standing or irreversible AV conduction defects.
- Early and adequate antimicrobial therapy may not always prevent chronic cardiac sequelae in Lyme disease.