Lyme Carditis and Inflammation-Driven Plaque Erosion Presenting as Sudden Cardiac Arrest.

ABSTRACT: Lyme carditis represents a rare cardiac complication of Borrelia burgdorferi infection, often causing conduction disturbances but rarely causing malignant arrhythmias. Inflammatory acute coronary syndrome, driven by immune-mediated plaque erosion rather than rupture, represents a nontraditional ischemic mechanism. This case highlights their overlap. The case of a previously healthy man with Lyme disease who experienced cardiac arrest because of ventricular tachycardia is reported. Imaging showed myocardial inflammation together with coronary plaque erosion instead of plaque rupture. The patient underwent advanced diagnostic testing and received multidisciplinary medical care, which led to complete cardiac recovery and implantable cardioverter-defibrillator placement.

SUBMITTER: Kaldas M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12322575 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul-Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature