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Putting Heart Block Back in the "Lyme Light"
Kavitha Mannava1, Zoe G Grabinski1, Omar Mousa1
1Department of Internal Medicine, Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, USA.
Journal of Cardiology Cases
|December 15, 2018
Summary
Lyme carditis, a rare cause of heart block, can occur without typical Lyme disease symptoms. Prompt antibiotic treatment rapidly resolved heart block in a young patient, highlighting the importance of considering this diagnosis in endemic areas.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Medical Case Reports
Background:
- New-onset atrioventricular heart block can be a rare manifestation of Lyme disease.
- Lyme carditis may present without other characteristic signs or symptoms of Lyme disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the importance of considering Lyme carditis in patients with new-onset heart block.
- To emphasize the diagnostic and therapeutic role of empiric antibiotic therapy.
Main Methods:
- Case report of a young patient with syncope and high-degree atrioventricular heart block.
- Clinical suspicion for Lyme carditis based on geographic location.
- Treatment with intravenous ceftriaxone.
Main Results:
- Complete resolution of atrioventricular heart block within 24 hours of initiating ceftriaxone.
- Absence of other classic Lyme disease manifestations in the patient.
Conclusions:
- Lyme carditis should be considered in patients presenting with new-onset heart block, even without other typical symptoms, especially in endemic areas.
- Empiric antibiotic therapy can lead to rapid resolution, serving as both diagnostic and therapeutic measures.