Treating Lyme Carditis High-Degree AV Block Using a Temporary-Permanent Pacemaker

Author:

Wang, CN, Chacko, S, Abdollah, H, and Baranchuk, A

Publication type:

Journal Article

Publication date:

2019-05

Journal/Series title:

Ann Noninvasive Electrocardiol .

Volume:

Issue:

URL:

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/anec.12599

Abstract:

A 28-year-old previously healthy male presented with nonprodromal syncope and a 4-day history of chest pain, shortness of breath, and malaise. His ECG showed rapidly progressive high-degree AV block. His Suspicious Index in Lyme Carditis (SILC) score was 8, indicating high risk for Lyme carditis. Lyme serology revealed to be positive (anti-Lyme IgM). During the second day of hospitalization, the patient deteriorated his AV conduction, and a temporary-permanent pacemaker was implanted allowing ambulating in hospital the very same day. Temporary-permanent pacemakers for the management of transient high-degree heart block associated with Lyme carditis were only occasionally used in the past.