Another cardiac manifestation of Lyme myocarditis

Feb 5, 2018

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A 30-year-old man presented to the ER with “a pulse of 53/min and annular macular rash located over the anterior and posterior aspect of the left chest wall,” writes Cunha. Laboratory evidence confirmed Lyme disease by ELISA and both an IgG and IgM western blot. His ejection fraction was slightly reduced at 50%. The rash and LBBB resolved quickly with 2 weeks of doxycycline.

The list of cardiac manifestations due to Lyme disease continues to grow.

Lyme carditis is not new, Cunha points out. “The first reported cases of Lyme carditis was in 1980, when Steere and colleagues described 20 North American cases.” Cunha and colleagues reviewed the growing range of cardiac manifestations that have since been published and include:

• atrioventricular block including complete or high-grade block
• alternation right bundle branch block and left bundle branch block
• diffuse ST segment and T wave changes on electrocardiogram
• cardiomegaly
• left ventricular systolic dysfunction
• congestive heart failure

The authors remind readers of the importance of prompt medical attention. “The conduction disturbances associated with Lyme carditis, can be variable and rapidly fluctuating,” writes Cunha.

[bctt tweet=”The list of cardiac symptoms caused by #Lyme disease continues to grow. ” username=”DrDanielCameron”]

“On occasion, patients may progress from having a prolonged PR interval to complete heart block within minutes, with alternating tachycardias and bradycardias as the signs most strongly suggestive of cardiac involvement.” He also adds, “Most conduction abnormalities are reversible but the time course to recovery is unpredictable.”

It is encouraging that doctors are beginning to better understand the growing complexity of cardiac manifestations of Lyme disease.

Related Articles:

Lyme carditis causes complete heart block in 26-year-old man

Stroke as a manifestation of Lyme disease

First case of reversible complete heart block due to Lyme disease reported in Canada

References:

Cunha BA, Elyasi M, Singh P, Jimada I. Lyme carditis with isolated left bundle branch block and myocarditis successfully treated with oral doxycycline. IDCases. 2018;11:48-50.

Comments

10 responses to “Another cardiac manifestation of Lyme myocarditis”

David Willson

03/06/2024

My recent EKG revealed a Complete Left Bundle Branch Block and, having lived in the Hudson Valley for the prior seven years, I am wondering if this could be Lyme Disease. I have low cholesterol, normal blood pressure, and I’m not obese.

Reply
1. Dr. Daniel Cameron
  
  03/07/2024
  
  I rely on my cardiologists and the hospital for initial care. Lyme disease is only one of many causes of left bundle branch block for a doctor to consider. I have had patients where other symptoms have helped identify Lyme disease.
  
  Reply
Chele

06/05/2023

I was diagnosed and treated for lyme disease and several co-infections in 2021. My eye sight suffered and I had cataract surgery in Dec.2022 and January 2023. Two months of prednisolone after the cataract surgeries resulted in all kinds of symptoms. I met with a cardiologist in May 2023, had ekg, Holter monitor, and echo/stress tests. I have been diagnosed with LBBB. Should I be treated further for lyme that may have reactivated after being on prednisolone or is this most likely to be residual damage from the original infection?

Reply
1. Dr. Daniel Cameron
  
  06/06/2023
  
  I advise my patients to return for an evaluation is there is a recurrence of symptoms with or without steroids.
  
  Reply
Ellen Marshall

12/14/2021

Do you see the heart symptoms worse when lying down?
I was misdiagnosed for 18 years, then have treated with several antibiotics and herbals for 4 now. The worse heart symptoms seem to come when I lie down in exhaustion. Rest rarely feels restful.

Reply
1. Dr. Daniel Cameron
  
  12/14/2021
  
  I have patients in my practice with autonomic issues related to a tick borne infection. Some have been told they suffer from POTS.
  
  Reply
Tammy Mehrtens

08/13/2018

I have had 15 episode’s post mitro valve repair of flash pulmonary edema.. can chronic Lyme be the cause if that. I went misdiagnosed for Lyme for 18 years then 7 years ago finally Lyme showed up in a blot test. Of course at that point the heart issues began. But post open heart my echo heart pressures are still not normal.. But the docs say you were already given 3 months if antibiotics so your Lyme is gone. I am Not convinced of that whatsoever.. I’m still very I’ll

Reply
1. Dr. Daniel Cameron
  
  08/13/2018
  
  I have not seen it. I have seen individuals with two illnesses. It can be difficult to be sure a tick borne illness has resolved it here is another concurrent illness.
  
  Reply
Kelly-Anne Bryan, RN

03/24/2018

My cardiac lyme list began in my 30s after about 17 yrs of undiagnosed/ misdiagnosed infection with arrhythmias: PACs, PVCs, paroxysmal afib, supraventricular tachycardia, non-sustained ventricular tachicardia. Then episodes of 1st and 2nd degree heart block. Now after about 40 years of infection, left ventricular diastolic dysfunction.

Reply
1. Nicole
  
  03/26/2018
  
  Can I ask what are your symptoms. I was just diagnosed with Lyme disease a few months ago and keep having weird feelings with heart flutters, chest pains, shoulder blade pains. I am on my 2nd round of dox
  
  Reply

Another cardiac manifestation of Lyme myocarditis

Comments

10 responses to “Another cardiac manifestation of Lyme myocarditis”

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