Lyme Carditis and Complete Heart Block: An Unusual Case of a Young Student

Abstract

Lyme carditis is a relatively uncommon medical condition in young people. It can be accompanied by myalgias, sweating episodes, fever and chest pain for several weeks. It sometimes has certain manifestations masquerading as pericarditis. Varying degrees of atrioventricular (AV) block accompanied by rhythm abnormalities are not uncommon. We describe an unusual case of a young male college student presenting with shortness of breath and evidence of complete heart block secondary to the rare diagnosis of complete heart block due to Lyme disease causing cardiac conduction abnormalities. This condition completely resolved with intravenous antibiotic therapy. This case represents a relevant and unique clinical scenario which is an important education point highlighting prompt diagnosis in a reversible cause of complete heart block. J Med Cases. 2014;5(8):435-436 doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.14740/jmc1841w