Prospective evaluation of heart block complicating early Lyme disease.
Lyme disease is a recognized cause of heart block/carditis. The incidence of heart block complicating early Lyme disease has not been prospectively evaluated. In this study, 61 patients with early Lyme disease documented by the rash of erythema migrans were prospectively evaluated for carditis. Fifty five of 61 patients had a repeat examination 3 to 4 weeks after initiation of antibiotic therapy. Only one of 61 patients (1.6%) presented with heart block, which resolved with antibiotics. None of the 54 patients without heart block on initial presentation had a change in any measured electrocardiographic parameter or progressed to heart block after antibiotics. Therefore, early Lyme disease appears to be infrequently complicated by heart block. Early administration of antibiotics may prevent the development of heart block/carditis.
Division of Cardiology and Infectious Diseases, Westchester County Medical Center, New York Medical College, Valhalla 10595.
D A
DA
Rubin
C
C
Sorbera
P
P
Nikitin
A
A
McAllister
G P
GP
Wormser
R B
RB
Nadelman
D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006327:Heart Block / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008193:Lyme Disease / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009518:New York / Q000453:epidemiology; D011446:Prospective Studies
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents