A systematic approach to diagnosing Lyme carditis in patients with high-degree atrioventricular block facilitates identification and prevents unnecessary permanent pacemaker implantation.
The incidence of Lyme disease, a tick-borne bacterial infection, is dramatically increasing in North America. The diagnosis of Lyme carditis (LC), an early disseminated manifestation of Lyme disease, has important implications for patient management and preventing further extracutaneous complications. High-degree atrioventricular block is the most common presentation of LC, and usually resolves with antibiotic therapy. A systematic approach to the diagnosis of LC in patients with high-degree atrioventricular block will facilitate the identification of this usually transient condition, thus preventing unnecessary implantation of permanent pacemakers in otherwise healthy young individuals.
“The bacteria gets into your blood through the tick bite of specific ticks that are endemic in our region, Kingston. Then, once that happens, a process called early dissemination starts, which is within the first 30 to 60 days, that bacteria has a preference to go to certain organs. When the bacteria goes to the heart, we call it Lyme Carditis.”
Yeung et al. (Fri,) conducted a review in Lyme carditis. Systematic approach to diagnosis and antibiotic therapy was evaluated. A systematic approach to diagnosing Lyme carditis in patients with high-degree atrioventricular block facilitates identification and prevents unnecessary permanent pacemaker implantation.