Lyme carditis: an important cause of reversible heart block

Article Abstract:

Lyme disease, a tick-borne infection (spirochetes), is characterized by an acute illness affecting the whole body and by a raised red sore at the site of the tick bite. The disease is found in many areas of of the northeastern United States. Lack of treatment may cause many severe problems including rheumatic, neurologic, and cardiac complications. This report studies 4 previously healthy young men whose blood tests confirmed that they had Lyme disease. Each patient displayed severe problems with his heart's intrinsic electrical conduction system. Two had received permanent pacemakers and a third nearly had one implanted before diagnosis was finally made. All four were treated with antibiotics and returned to normal heartbeats, although one retained a problem with his conduction system. Infection of the heart (carditis) occurs in four to ten percent of Lyme cases, usually beginning three to six weeks after onset. The diagnosis is made on clinical grounds and is confirmed by specific blood tests. Temporary electrical pacing of the heart is frequently needed by patients who have a severe problem with their heart's electrical conductive system. The problem is usually corrected after treatment with antibiotics. Prompt diagnosis of this potentially lethal but reversible problem is necessary to avoid inappropriate permanent implantation of a heart pacemaker.

Causes of, Complications and side effects, Lyme disease, Tick-borne diseases, Heart conduction system, Endocarditis

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Heart rate variability

Article Abstract:

Heart rate variability analysis is a measurement that can be used to monitor the condition of the cardiorespiratory control system. This type of analysis measures the amount of fluctuation around the average heart rate. Different control mechanisms of the autonomic nervous system can cause short-term and long-term changes in heart rate. A wide variety of disorders can cause changes in these control mechanisms. These disorders include coronary artery disease, essential hypertension and different neurologic disorders. Different types of drugs can also affect heart rate variability. Heart rate variability analysis may be most useful for preventing of premature cardiac death in patients who have had a heart attack or those with diabetes. Two different types of measurements based on the timing of R waves can be used to assess heart rate variability.

Measurement, Physiological aspects, Circulatory system, Heart beat, Heart rate, Cardiopulmonary system, Respiratory system

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