Are ECG findings overlooked in Lyme disease, which is the cause of AV complete block?

Abstract

Objective: Lyme disease-associated carditis and conduction disturbances are well known, but there is insufficient data in the literature on the effects of Lyme disease on global electrocardiography (ECG) morphology. This study aims to evaluate the effects of Lyme disease on ECG morphology. Method: The study included 48 consecutive patients who were hospitalised in our centre with a diagnosis of AV complete block between 01 January 2020 and 01 August 2023. Patients were divided into two groups as Lyme positive (Group 1) and negative (Group 2). Afterwards, demographic and laboratory data of the patients were recorded. All ECG data including ventricular rate, atrial rate, QRS duration, P wave dispersion (Pd), QTc dispersion (QTcd), and fragmented QRS were analysed from routine electrocardiograms obtained using standard extremity and chest leads at 25 mm/s and 10 mm/mV. The data obtained were compared between the groups. Results: The mean age was 72.5(51.7-82.2) in group 1 and 74(68-79.7) in group 2, respectively. There was no significant difference between them (P= 0.593). In the study population, the ratio of males and females was similar between the groups. In ECG evaluation of the study population, no significant difference was found between atrial rate, ventricular rate, QRS duration, QTc duration and frequency of fragmented QRS (p