Diagnosis and Treatment of Lyme Carditis: JACC Review Topic of the Week.

The incidence of Lyme disease, a tick-borne bacterial infection, is dramatically increasing in North America. The diagnosis of Lyme carditis (LC), an early disseminated manifestation of Lyme disease, has important implications for patient management and preventing further extracutaneous complications. High-degree atrioventricular block is the most common presentation of LC, and usually resolves with antibiotic therapy. A systematic approach to the diagnosis of LC in patients with high-degree atrioventricular block will facilitate the identification of this usually transient condition, thus preventing unnecessary implantation of permanent pacemakers in otherwise healthy young individuals.