Cardiovascular Manifestations of Lyme Disease

Abstract

Borrelia burgdorferi, discovered more than a decade ago, has been identified as a causal agent of numerous disorders and symptoms.1 Table 19.1 lists the different clinical manifestations of Lyme disease. Cardiovascular symptoms sometimes occur in the context of this systemic disorder. Adequate antibiotic treatment is needed to thwart cardiovascular Lyme disease. Cardiac manifestations in the United States are seen in 8% to 10% of all cases. Our own group has observed cardiovascular manifestations in 15% of 294 studied patients. In this chapter we expand current views on cardiovascular manifestations of Lyme disease. We mention only briefly other manifestations, diagnostic questions, and therapeutic problems but provide references to important publications in the field.