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[Atrioventricular block in Lyme carditis]
H Roelli1, W Angehrn, F W Reutter
1Medizinische Klinik B, Kantonsspital St. Gallen.
Insights
Lyme disease can cause heart problems like AV block, affecting young adults. Prompt treatment with antibiotics leads to rapid recovery from these cardiac symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Tick-borne Illnesses
Context:
- Lyme disease, caused by Borrelia burgdorferi, often presents with arthritis or neurological issues.
- Cardiac involvement (carditis), typically AV block, occurs in about 8% of Lyme disease cases.
- This study focuses on the cardiac manifestations of Lyme disease in young adults.
Purpose:
- To present case histories of individuals with AV block due to Borrelia burgdorferi infection.
- To highlight the clinical presentation and management of Lyme carditis.
- To illustrate the typically benign prognosis of cardiac Lyme disease.
Summary:
- Presents three cases (2 males, 1 female, aged 23-37) of AV block caused by Borrelia burgdorferi.
- Key symptoms included exertional dyspnea, palpitations, dizziness, and syncope.
- One patient received diclofenac, while two were treated with penicillin.
Impact:
- Demonstrates that Lyme carditis, presenting as AV block, is treatable.
- Shows that cardiac abnormalities in Lyme disease resolve quickly (1-3 weeks) with appropriate therapy.
- Emphasizes the importance of considering Lyme disease in the differential diagnosis of heart block in endemic areas.
Abstract:
Lyme disease, due to infection with Borrelia burgdorferi transmitted by ticks, is most frequently manifested by arthritis and neurological complications. In approximately 8% of cases, however, carditis, usually reflected in AV block, is the leading symptom. The case histories of 2 males and 1 female aged 23 to 37 years with AV block caused by Borrelia burgdorferi are presented. Main symptoms were exertional dyspnea, palpitations, dizziness and syncope. One patient was treated with diclofenac and two with penicillin. The course was uniformally benign and cardiac abnormalities disappeared within 1-3 weeks.