A Comprehensive Review of Lyme Disease: A Focus on Cardiovascular Manifestations.

Lyme disease is a tick-borne illness known for its ability to cause multi-systemic manifestations. It can affect several different systems, including neurological, musculoskeletal, and dermatological systems. However, one of the most concerning biological systems affected is the cardiac system. Lyme carditis typically presents with varying degrees of atrioventricular (AV) block. Additionally, current literature also endorses atypical manifestations, including but not limited to atrial fibrillation and bundle branch blocks. These atypical manifestations are important as they can be the first presenting symptoms in patients with Lyme disease. Therefore, educating clinicians on various signs, symptoms, and manifestations of Lyme carditis remains paramount in reducing morbidity and mortality. We conducted a literature review using PubMed, MEDLINE, and CINAHL, collecting a total of 13 articles to gather information on atypical manifestations of Lyme carditis. This literature review serves to summarize the current research and studies describing these cardiac manifestations and the cardiac pathophysiology associated with Lyme disease. These findings aim to contribute to the expanding understanding of Lyme carditis, subsequently preventing long-term effects through prompt diagnosis and treatment.

A Rare Presentation of Lyme Disease in an Immunocompromised Patient.

Lyme disease is a progressive infectious disease caused by the Borrelia species that affects multiple organ systems, including the brain, heart, skin, and musculoskeletal systems. The cardiac manifestations of Lyme disease typically present with atrioventricular nodal conduction abnormalities and, more rarely, myocarditis. We report a case of an immunocompromised 57-year-old woman who presented with acute onset shortness of breath, hypervolemia, injective conjunctiva, and global vision loss of the left eye in the setting of a recent tick bite. Serologic testing confirmed borreliosis, and cardiac testing demonstrated acute isolated systolic heart failure without any cardiac conduction system abnormalities on the electrocardiogram. The diagnosis of Lyme carditis was made, and the patient was started on doxycycline with complete recovery of cardiac systolic function. This case demonstrates atypical cardiac manifestations of Lyme disease and highlights the difficulty in workup and understanding of Lyme carditis particularly in immunocompromised patients.

Associations of Atrioventricular Blocks and Other Arrhythmias in Patients with Lyme Carditis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Lyme disease often leads to cardiac injury and electrophysiological abnormalities. This study aimed to explore links between atrioventricular blocks and additional arrhythmias in Lyme carditis patients. This systematic review and meta-analysis of existing literature was performed from 1990 to 2023, and aimed to identify cases of Lyme carditis through serology or clinical diagnosis with concomitant arrhythmias. Pubmed and Web of Science were searched using appropriate MESH terms. Patients were divided into groups with atrioventricular blocks and other arrhythmias for cardiovascular (CV) outcome assessment. A total of 110 cases were analyzed. The majority (77.3%) were male, with mean age = 39.65 ± 14.80 years. Most patients presented within one week of symptom onset (30.9%). Men were more likely to have first-degree atrioventricular blocks (OR = 1.36 [95% CI 1.12-3.96], p = 0.01); these blocks tended to be reversible in nature (OR = 1.51 [95% CI 1.39-3.92], p = 0.01). Men exhibited a higher likelihood of experiencing variable arrhythmias (OR = 1.31 [95% CI 1.08-2.16], p < 0.001). Ventricular and supraventricular arrhythmias were more likely to exhibit instability (OR = 0.96 [95% CI 0.81-1.16] p = 0.01) and variability (OR = 1.99 [95% CI 0.47-8.31], p < 0.001). Men with Lyme carditis are likely to present with various atrioventricular blocks. These atrioventricular blocks are benign, and follow a predictable and stable clinical course. Further large-scale studies are warranted to confirm these associations.

The Great Imitator: A Case of Lyme Carditis Mimicking ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

Lyme disease, caused by Borrelia burgdorferi and transmitted via Ixodes ticks, is a common vector-borne illness in the United States, with an estimated 476,000 annual cases. While primarily known for its neurological and rheumatological manifestations, Lyme disease can also involve the cardiac system, known as Lyme carditis, which occurs in about 4% to 10% of cases. This case report details a rare instance of Lyme carditis presenting as ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in a 31-year-old female with no significant medical history. The patient exhibited symptoms of chest pressure and shortness of breath, with laboratory results showing significantly elevated troponin levels and other indicative markers. Notably, cardiac catheterization revealed no coronary occlusion, suggesting an alternative diagnosis to acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Further testing confirmed Lyme carditis through positive serological tests for Lyme-specific IgM antibodies. The case underscores the importance of considering Lyme myopericarditis in differential diagnoses for STEMI in Lyme-endemic areas and in patients without typical risk factors for coronary artery disease. This report aims to increase clinical awareness of this condition, highlighting the need for thorough investigation in atypical cardiac presentations.

Animal models of Lyme carditis. Understanding how to study a complex disease.

Lyme carditis, a well-established manifestation of Lyme disease, has been studied in animal models to improve understanding of its pathogenesis. This review synthesizes existing literature on these models and associated disease mechanisms. Searches in MEDLINE, Embase, BIOSIS, and Web of Science yielded 53 articles (47 mice models and 6 other animal models). Key findings include: 1) Onset of carditis correlates with spirochete localization in the heart; 2) Carditis occurs within 10 days of infection, progressing to peak inflammation within 30 days; 3) Infiltrates were predominantly composed of Mac-1+ macrophages and were associated with increases in TNF-α, IL-1 and IL-12 cytokines; 4) Resolution of inflammation was primarily mediated by lymphocytes; 5) Immune system is a double-edged sword: it can play a role in the progression and severity of carditis, but can also have a protective effect. Animal models offer valuable insights into the evolution and pathophysiologic mechanisms of Lyme carditis.

Incidence of Lyme Carditis and Lyme Carditis as a Cause of Pacemaker Implantation: A Nationwide Registry-Based Case-Control Study.

Background: Lyme borreliosis (LB) of the heart is called Lyme carditis (LC), which often manifests with high-grade atrioventricular block (AVB) requiring pacemaker implantation. LC is treated with antibiotics, and most patients recover fully after treatment. The overall incidence of LC, and of LC as a cause of pacemaker implantation, has not previously been systematically studied. Methods: This was a case-control study based on data from Swedish national registers. The study was divided into two parts; part 1 including all patients diagnosed with AVB between 2001 and 2018, and part 2 including all patients who had received a pacemaker due to AVB between 2010 and 2018. Patients diagnosed with LB 90 days before and 180 days after the AVB diagnosis were identified among the patients and compared to matched control groups generated from the general population. Results: Of 81 063 patients with AVB, 102 were diagnosed with LB. In the control group, 27 were diagnosed with LB. The yearly incidence of LC was 0.056 per 100 000 adults and year. Of 25 241 patients who had received a pacemaker for AVB, 31 were diagnosed with LB. In the control group, 8 were diagnosed with LB. The yearly incidence of LC as a cause of pacemaker implantation was 0.033 per 100 000 adults and year. The estimated risk for patients with LC to receive a permanent pacemaker was 59%. Conclusions: LC is a rare cause of AVB. Nevertheless, more than half of patients with LC receive a permanent pacemaker for a condition that is easily cured with antibiotics.

An Unusual Case of Lyme Carditis With Persistent Third-Degree Heart Block.

Lyme's carditis and neuroborreliosis are common manifestation of disseminated Lyme disease. However, third-degree atrioventricular blocks with Lyme's carditis requiring permanent pacemaker with neuroborreliosis and Lyme's disease-associated immunodeficiency are uncommon. Here we present a case of 64-year-old female presenting with neurological symptoms and electrocardiogram changes suggestive of complete heart block with no improvement in the degree of heart block with intravenous antibiotics, requiring permanent pacemaker implantation and course complicated by fungemia.

Lyme disease presenting as complete heart block in a young man: Case report and review of pathogenesis.

Lyme carditis is a serious complication of Lyme disease, the most common vector-borne infection in both the United States and Northern Europe. It is a rare manifestation of Lyme disease that primarily affects young adults with a marked 3:1 male-to-female predominance. The presentation of Lyme carditis is heterogenous and often non-specific, although the most common clinical manifestation is AV block, which can be acute in onset and can rapidly progress to complete heart block. We discuss the case of a young adult male with complete heart block as a complication of Lyme infection, presenting with two episodes of syncope without prodromal symptoms months after tick bites. There are several pathogen, host and environmental factors that can play an important role in the epidemiology and pathogenesis of this serious condition that is reversible if treated in a timely manner. It is important for clinicians to be familiar with the presentation and treatment of this infection that is now being observed in a wider geographic distribution so as to avoid serious long-term complications and unnecessary permanent pacemaking implantation.

An Atypical Case of Lyme Disease Presenting With Lyme Carditis.

Lyme carditis is a rare but serious manifestation of Lyme disease presenting in the early disseminated stage of the disease often after a diagnosis has already been discovered. The classic case of Lyme disease presents a patient who had been participating in outdoor activities in a Lyme-endemic region and was found to have a tick bite. These patients often present in the early localized stage, within the first 1-2 weeks with the well-recognized erythema-migrans rash or with generalized flu-like symptoms. Here we describe a case of a 70-year-old male who presented to the hospital without any typical Lyme disease prodrome but instead with generalized symptoms of progressive orthopnea and dyspnea on exertion. His original diagnoses were not of infectious origin however after incidentally being found to have a second degree, Mobitz type 1 atrioventricular (AV) block; Lyme tests were ordered, and a diagnosis was confirmed. This incidence shows the importance of having a Lyme disease diagnosis when regionally appropriate for patients who may present with no other signs or symptoms other than an AV block. As in this case, after a diagnosis has been made the management becomes the treatment of the infection rather than the treatment of the symptoms themselves.

A Practical Ambulatory Approach to Atrioventricular Block Secondary to Lyme Carditis.

Lyme carditis (LC) is a potentially reversible cause of complete atrioventricular (AV) dissociation that rarely requires a permanent pacemaker. The time to resolution is variable, sometimes requiring weeks, making a temporary permanent pacemaker (TPPM) a suitable bridge to recovery. We report on a 31-year-old man with serology-confirmed Lyme disease with complete heart block during the peak of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. A TPPM was implanted and the patient was discharged the following day with regular follow-up in the ambulatory setting. Once 1:1 AV conduction was reestablished, the TPPM was removed. Our case demonstrates that the use of a TPPM for AV-dissociation secondary to LC is a safe and feasible strategy in select individuals which can minimize patient morbidity as well as hospital length of stay and overall health care costs.

Descriptive Data on Trends Among Patients Hospitalized With Lyme Disease in Southwest Michigan, 2017-2021.

This retrospective chart review identifies hospitalizations for Lyme disease at two southwest Michigan hospital systems, 2017-2021. Lyme admissions increased sharply, while admissions for Lyme carditis and neuroborreliosis increased in parallel. Southwest Michigan is becoming an endemic area for Lyme disease.

Same-Day Carotid Artery Stenting and Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery.

BACKGROUND: The optimal treatment strategy for patients with severe carotid artery disease undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting is still problematic. The important question is whether it is necessary to treat significant carotid disease in patients who have undergone coronary artery bypass grafting. This study analyzed short- and midterm results after same-day carotid artery stenting and coronary artery bypass grafting. METHODS: From 2013 to 2020, a total of 69 patients were enrolled in the study. Same-day carotid artery stenting and coronary artery bypass grafting were performed in all patients. The study's primary end points were the evaluation rate of stroke, myocardial infarction, and death within short- and midterm periods after the procedures. RESULTS: The 30-day mortality was 0%. The occurrences of perioperative adverse events, namely stroke, myocardial infarction, and transient ischemic attack, were 1 (1.4%), 1 (1.4%), and 4 (5.8%), respectively. Mean (IQR) follow-up time was 28 (IQR, 17-43) months. Six (8.8%) patients died during this period. Fatal stroke was registered in 2 cases, and 1 patient experienced a disabling stroke with a fatal outcome. The other 3 patients died because of chronic renal disease, a traffic accident, and for an unknown reason, respectively. Midterm survival in the group was 91.2%. CONCLUSION: The study showed that same-day carotid artery stenting and coronary artery bypass grafting for concomitant carotid and coronary disease treatment could be a promising and feasible therapeutic strategy.

Serologic Status of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in Patients with Cardiovascular Changes.

Cardiovascular diseases, particularly coronary heart disease (CHD) caused by atherosclerosis, have the highest worldwide incidence and mortality rate of any type of disease. Aside from risk factors associated with lifestyle and comorbidities, infectious agents such as Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato spirochetes, which cause Lyme disease, may also play a role in the development of cardiovascular disease. A growing number of scientific papers have mentioned Lyme carditis. The aim of this study was to find the level of anti-Borrelia IgG antibodies in the blood serum of patients with advanced coronary heart disease. Materials and methods: The study group included 70 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) surgery aged 50 to 82 (average 68.26). The ELISA test was used to detect anti-Borrelia/IgG antibodies in the blood serum. Serological testing revealed seropositivity in 34.29% of patients and 'borderline results' in 17.14% of patients. We found a link between antibody levels and tick bites but not with other risk factors for the development of CHD. Conclusions: These findings support the idea that, as one of many factors, the contact with spirochetal antigens may indicate a potential positive correlation with the formation of cardiovascular changes. More research, not only at the diagnostic level but also at the advanced research level, is needed.

Lyme carditis presenting as paroxysmal junctional tachycardia and complete atrioventricular block in an adolescent.

We describe a case of a previously healthy adolescent who presented with junctional tachycardia and complete atrioventricular (AV) block due to Lyme carditis. The simultaneous presence of these findings suggested significant inflammation of the AV junction. Junctional tachycardia, particularly if seen in a patient with conduction abnormalities and potential tick exposure, should increase suspicion for Lyme carditis.

Successful permanent pacemaker explantation after diagnosis and treatment of Lyme carditis complete heart block: a case report.

Background: Lyme carditis (LC) complete heart block (CHB) is typically treated with i.v. antibiotics without requiring permanent pacing. In patients with high degree atrioventricular (AV) block, suspicious index in Lyme carditis (SILC) scoring is highly sensitive for diagnosing LC. Case summary: We present a case of CHB where a permanent pacemaker (PPM) was implanted prior to LC diagnosis. Suspicious index in Lyme carditis score was 2 at the time of exam, indicating a low risk for LC. However, per further discussion at follow-up, his score was retroactively increased to an intermediate risk of 4 and Lyme titres returned positive. An outpatient oral antibiotic regimen was given, and 2 months later, the patient had <0.1% V-pacing on interrogation with a subsequent unremarkable event monitor. The pacemaker was removed after considerations ensuring full conduction recovery. The patient is doing well at follow-up > 1 year. Discussion: Lyme carditis spontaneous resolution of CHB is common. Once safe extraction parameters have been established, it is appropriate to engage patients without ongoing pacer requirements about explantation of their PPM. For CHB patients without clear aetiology, SILC scoring may be a predictive measure to help prevent unnecessary PPM placement in the future.

Prevalence of Lyme Carditis in Patients with Atrioventricular Blocks.

Infections with Borrelia may cause cardiac conduction system abnormalities, including atrioventricular blocks (AVBs). Therefore, we aimed to identify patients in whom Lyme carditis (LC) could be considered as the initial diagnosis among consecutive subjects who were referred for implantation of a permanent pacemaker due to symptomatic AVBs. To date, such a systematic evaluation has not been reported yet. Validation of the Suspicious Index for Lyme Carditis (SILC) in our study population was considered as an additional goal. We investigated consecutive patients with AVB admitted to our department for a pacemaker implantation. Serological diagnostic tests against Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (Bbsl) were performed in those with no obvious cardiac causes of AVB. The final study population consisted of 130 patients (80 M, mean age 67.4 ± 17.6). Lyme carditis was assumed as the initial diagnosis in 16 patients (12%) based on ABV and IgM Bbsl seropositivity. The patients with LC were younger and more frequently manifested constitutional symptoms of infection and fluctuating AVB. The highest prognostic value for identification of LC patients was obtained for the modified SILC, which included the following parameters: (1) age lower than 75 years; (2) risky outdoor activity and living in the countryside; (3) tick bite; (4) constitutional symptoms of Lyme disease; (5) erythema migrans; (6) male sex and (7) fluctuating atrioventricular block. We concluded that diagnostics for LC should be routinely considered in patients with advanced AVB. Modified SILC may identify the patients at risk of LC.