Lyme carditis: clinical characteristics of 105 cases

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Scand J Infect Dis Suppl. 1991;77:81-4. Links

Lyme carditis: clinical characteristics of 105 cases

 

..van der Linde MR.

Department of Cardiology, Thoraxcenter, University Hospital Groningen, The

Netherlands.

 

105 North American and European cases of Lyme carditis, being documented

and in part published in the period 1977-1990, are reviewed and compared.

The male: female ratio was 3:1, as well in Europe as in the USA. Transient

atrioventricular block is the most frequent manifestation of Lyme carditis,

with a remarkable similarity in the frequency of complete AV block and

attending neurological illness in Europe and the USA. The distribution of

(maximal observed) atrioventricular block in all patients existed of 49% third

degree, 16% second degree and 12% first degree. Data of electrophysiological

studies show that affection of the cardiac conduction system can be local

or very diffuse. Other manifestations like rhythm disturbances,

(myo)pericarditis and heart failure were less striking and have a less similar

frequency in the European and American cases. Medicational therapy seems not to

be

an unconditional requirement for recovery of Lyme carditis itself, but

cannot be withheld because of the proven beneficial effects of antibiotic

therapy in other manifestations of Lyme borreliosis. Temporary pacemakers are

frequently inserted, but pacemaker implantation is rarely needed. The overall

prognosis of Lyme carditis seems to be good, although delayed recovery has

been described and possible late manifestations have been suggested.

 

PMID: 1947815