05 Cardinal Manifestations of COVID-19
The Patient: Initial Considerations and Brief Review of Clinical Findings Although reports vary, the incubation period of COVID-19 averages about 5 days, and nearly all infected patients will exhibit symptoms…
04 COVID-19 Prevention and Vaccines
SARS-CoV-2 Transmission From the beginning, the major role of airborne transmission was highlighted for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection.1 In addition, contact with contaminated surfaces was considered…
03 COVID-19 Testing
Introduction As the world recognized that this new virus was rapidly spreading, the need for rapid identification aired, and COVID-19 testing rapidly began. Unfortunately, the logistical issues with massive testing…
02 Paradigm Shifts in Understanding SARS-CoV-2 Virology and Disease
Introduction Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the species of coronavirus responsible for the ongoing outbreak. This virus was named by a consensus scientific committee assembled by the…
01 Epidemiology of COVID-19
Introduction Coronaviruses—thus named for their unique crownlike spikes visible under microscopy—are a diverse class of viruses that are known to cause intestinal and respiratory infections within both bird and mammal…
Multidisciplinary service delivery for the endocarditis patient
Introduction Infective endocarditis (IE) is a morbid disease that requires meticulous clinical assessment and risk stratification in the early stages of illness [ ]. Outcomes are impacted by multiple factors:…
Future directions in infective endocarditis
Introduction The first descriptions of endocarditis appeared in the literature in the 1600s at a time when the anatomy and physiology of the heart was still incompletely characterized [ ]….
Ethical controversies related to the care of an intravenous drug abuser with endocarditis
Introduction Infective endocarditis (IE) is a bacterial or fungal infection of the heart valves and lining that Jean François Fernel first mentioned nearly 500 years ago (1554). William Osler described…
Timing of surgical intervention following acute stroke from infective endocarditis
Introduction Neurologic sequelae are among the most common and devastating complications of infective endocarditis (IE) with an incidence varying between 10% and 75% [ ] and mortality ranging between 20%…
Complex multivalve operations for infective endocarditis
Introduction Infective endocarditis (IE) has remained stable over time, however, the type of IE and rate of surgical intervention has changed. Patients are now more elderly, rheumatic heart disease is…
