Long-term Outcomes in Treated Lyme Carditis

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Infectious Diseases
• Tick-borne Illnesses

Background:

• Lyme carditis (LC) is a common early manifestation of Lyme disease.
• Symptomatic high-degree atrioventricular block (AVB) is the most frequent presentation of LC.
• AVB associated with LC typically resolves with antibiotic treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the long-term outcomes of patients diagnosed with Lyme carditis.
• To evaluate the efficacy of a standardized treatment protocol for LC, including antibiotics and pre-discharge stress testing.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective review of 7 patients with serologically confirmed Lyme carditis.
• Patients were treated with a protocol including antibiotics and a pre-discharge stress test to assess atrioventricular node stability.
• Follow-up assessments were conducted to evaluate long-term cardiac conduction and patient activity levels.

Main Results:

• All 7 patients were asymptomatic at a mean follow-up of 20.8 months.
• Patients resumed normal activities and showed no residual conduction abnormalities.
• None of the patients required permanent pacemaker implantation.

Conclusions:

• Lyme carditis, when treated appropriately with antibiotics and monitored for AV node stability, has favorable long-term outcomes.
• Avoidance of permanent pacing is supported in LC patients demonstrating stable conduction at discharge.
• Standardized treatment protocols can lead to full recovery and return to normal activities for LC patients.