Transient Complete AV Block due to Lyme Carditis

Lyme disease is a systemic disease, which is caused by a spirochete, called Borrelia burgdeorferi and transmitted by the Ixodes ticks. The disease has three stages; early localized disease (stage 1), early disseminated disease (stage 2) and late or persistent infection (stage 3). Lyme carditis is usually seen in the second stage together with the findings of other systemic involvement, for example neurological complications and musculoskeletal pain. The principal manifestation of cardiac involvement is usually self-limited conduction abnormalities. These conduction abnormalities rarely require permanent pacing. Here, we present a patient with temporary complete atrioventricular block caused by Lyme carditis.

Keywords: atrioventricular block, Borrelia burgdorferi, Lyme disease, pacemaker