Suspicious index in Lyme carditis: Systematic review and proposed new risk score

Author:

Besant, G, Wan, D, Yeung, C, Blakely, C, Branscombe, P, Suarez-Fuster, L, Redfearn, D, Simpson, C, Abdollah, H, Glover, B, and Baranchuk, A

Publication type:

Journal Article

Publication date:

2018-12

Journal/Series title:

Clin Cardiol.

Volume:

Issue:

URL:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30350436

Abstract:

Lyme carditis (LC), an early manifestation of Lyme disease that most commonly presents as high-degree atrioventricular block (AVB), usually resolves with antibiotic treatment. When LC is not identified as the cause of AVB, a permanent pacemaker may be inappropriately implanted in a reversible cardiac conduction disorder. The SILC risk score and COSTAR mnemonic (constitutional symptoms; outdoor activity; sex = male; tick bite; age < 50; rash = erythema migrans) may help to identify LC in patients presenting with high-degree AVB, and ultimately, minimize the implantation of unnecessary permanent pacemakers.