Viral heart disease is a term encompassing numerous virus-triggered heart conditions wherein cardiac myocytes are injured, causing contractile dysfunction, cell death, or both. Cardiotropic viruses may also damage interstitial cells and vascular cells. Clinical presentation of the disorder varies widely. In most cases, patients are asymptomatic. Presentation includes but is not limited to…

Chronic pericardial effusion is a common pericardial syndrome whose approach has been well-standardized in recent years. The main challenge associated with this condition is the progression (sometimes unheralded) to cardiac tamponade Pericardial effusions may present either as an isolated finding or in the context of a specific etiology including autoimmune, neoplastic, and metabolic diseases….

There is growing interest in the role and utilization of pulmonary artery catheters (PAC) in cardiogenic shock (CS). Observational evidence supports an association between PAC use and improved survival, and specialty societies increasingly advocate for its use. The PAC is useful for early diagnosis, decisions surrounding escalation of care, and daily management. Despite this, its use in Canada is…