Lyme Disease Cardiac Arrest in a 12-Year-Old Boy
Lyme disease cardiac arrest is a rare but serious complication of Lyme carditis that can disrupt the heart’s electrical system and lead to life-threatening arrhythmias.
Cardiac complications of Lyme disease may include conduction abnormalities, myocarditis, and severe arrhythmias. In rare cases, these disturbances can lead to sudden cardiac arrest.
The CDC notes that Lyme carditis can disrupt the electrical conduction system of the heart, sometimes leading to serious rhythm disturbances.
“The patient is a 12-year-old previously healthy boy with a recent history of participation in an outdoor camp for 2–3 weeks who began to gasp for air while riding as a passenger in a car, with subsequent cyanosis and cardiac arrest,” states Cunningham.
The boy received cardiopulmonary resuscitation for pulseless arrest and ventricular fibrillation. Spontaneous circulation returned after 8 minutes of resuscitation, including defibrillation, intubation, and intravenous medications.
He required intensive care management for hypoxemia, ventilation support, and persistent arrhythmias. Treatment included dopamine, norepinephrine, ceftriaxone, and antiarrhythmic therapy.
Serologic testing confirmed Lyme disease with positive ELISA and Western blot. Intravenous ceftriaxone was continued for 21 days with normalization of cardiac function.
Neurologic Complications After Cardiac Arrest
Although cardiac recovery was complete, the patient sustained neurologic injury requiring long-term rehabilitation.
Brain imaging showed global cerebral edema and hypoxic injury affecting multiple brain regions.
He was left with altered mental status, agitation, and dysautonomia.
Recognizing Lyme Carditis in Children
Lyme disease cardiac arrest may be the first presentation of Lyme carditis in rare cases.
Clinicians should consider Lyme disease in children presenting with unexplained arrhythmias, especially after outdoor exposure in endemic areas.
Learn more about diagnostic challenges in pediatric Lyme disease and cardiac involvement in the Lyme disease symptoms guide.
Why This Case Matters
This case highlights the importance of early recognition and treatment of Lyme carditis.
Although rare, Lyme disease cardiac arrest demonstrates how tick-borne illness can lead to life-threatening complications.
Prompt diagnosis and treatment may improve outcomes and reduce long-term complications.
Related posts:
What might sudden cardiac death due to Lyme disease look like?
Relying on a negative Lyme disease test can prove deadly
How Lyme myocarditis might present in an adolescent patient
References:
- Cunningham MEA, Doroshow R, Olivieri L, Moak JP. Junctional ectopic tachycardia secondary to myocarditis associated with sudden cardiac arrest. HeartRhythm Case Rep. 2017;3(2):124-128.
Dr. Daniel Cameron, MD, MPH
Lyme disease clinician with over 30 years of experience and past president of ILADS.
Symptoms • Testing • Coinfections • Recovery • Pediatric • Prevention
I also in 2001, started to spiral downhill to cardiac failure. It is good to see this child’s Lyme issues recognized. We have come a fair distance with Lyme related issues in 17 years.
Thanks for sharing with the public,
Our health care system is failing us “lymies”. Tests are outdated, doctors refuse to treat this disease in fear of retaliation from the CDC and Insurance. More than 300’000 per year are affected(double breast cancer patients) yet no hope in sight.
I am a healthy 48 year old woman that on August after struggling for a week from shortness of breath, heart palpitation and overall fatigue I was rushed to the hospital with complete heart block. Within this first 12 hours my heart rate plummeted to below 20 and was rushed into surgery where I was given a temporary pace maker. Long story short I was put on intravenous antibiotic for the suspected Lyme disease. Although after 9 days and no changes, the dr. was not sure if in fact it was Lyme. Day 10 in CCU and the medication started to work. Subsequently my heart corrected itself after approximately 1+ month, and the I am pace maker free. I was luck enough to catch it before it caused more damage. Hope the 12 year old continues to recover form his BI. I too know what that’s like as my son was hit my a cars in 2013 and suffered a TBI.
Horrible! HPV vaccine has been shown to damage the heart… He’s at that age. Add in Lyme etc infection and good luck staying alive!
My son is 18, he was miss diagnosed for 10 years with Lyme. I was told he had a anxiety disorder. His,symptoms have been can’t sleep, not been able to do school, ( focus) terrible anxiety , tacacardia for years!! This poor kid sat in school with all these symptons! Now he feels like he can’t breath! Our kids are suffering and it’s heart wrenching! Had him set up for a cardio stress,test, had to cancel due to him up all nigh feeling like he could not breath. Just bought a far infared sauna, and am doing herbal therapy trying to get his gut healthy. Was put on oral antibiotics when diagnosed and it was devastating to his gut. This takes,time. Prayers to all who are dealing with this darn stuff.
Thanks for sharing your son’s story. I am happy to hear you have included a cardiologist. “Air hunger” is an ill defined symptoms described by some patients with the tick borne pathogen called Babesia. You should include Babesia into what looks like a complete evaluation. Babesia is a tick borne pathogen that requires a different treatment.