What's New in Cardiac MRI? — May 09, 2026
AI-summarised digest of 38 PubMed articles on Cardiac MRI published in the last 7 days.
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What’s New in Cardiac MRI?
May 09, 2026 · 38 articles · 15 research themes · covering May 02, 2026 – May 09, 2026
Overview
Across this week’s set of studies, cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) emerges as a central tool for both diagnosis and risk prediction—spanning congenital heart disease surveillance, myocardial fibrosis/remodeling characterization, and phase-dependent interpretation in conditions like Takotsubo syndrome. Multiple papers also push the field toward scalable, patient-friendly imaging: contrast-free or virtual late gadolinium enhancement approaches (e.g., Cine2LGE and diffusion-based virtual LGE) aim to preserve LGE-like diagnostic value for patients who cannot receive gadolinium, while fetal CMR and multimodality fusion/3D printing highlight how advanced imaging can overcome limitations of standard workflows.
A second dominant theme is precision risk stratification using measurable biological signals. Studies link cardiometabolic and aging-related markers (phenotypic age acceleration, insulin resistance via eGDR, pericardial fat) to downstream cardiovascular outcomes, and preclinical/biomarker work (e.g., semaglutide in mouse models) supports mechanistic pathways involving inflammation, lipid accumulation, microvascular perfusion reserve, and fibrosis. In parallel, genetic/biologic stratification appears in aspirin decision-making via integrative polygenic scores, reinforcing the move toward targeted prevention rather than one-size-fits-all therapy.
Finally, the digest reflects the breadth of “imaging-guided clinical decision-making” in complex and rare disease. Case reports and cohort analyses show how multimodality imaging can unmask uncommon etiologies (ALCAPA beyond infancy, cardiac hydatid disease, intracardiac metastases) and refine management in inflammatory or arrhythmic contexts (recurrent myocarditis prognosis, constrictive pericarditis with IL-1 blockade, sarcoidosis risk stratification using EPS). Together, these papers underscore a unifying direction: combining advanced imaging, biomarkers, and (in one study) privacy-preserving AI to improve diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment selection.
Cardiac Amyloidosis (ATTR/TTR) and Targeted Therapy
Rationale and Design of CARDIO-TTRansform, a Phase 3 Trial of Eplontersen in Transthyretin Amyloid Cardiomyopathy.
CARDIO-TTRansform is a Phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluating eplontersen, an N-acetylgalactosamine–ligand conjugated antisense oligonucleotide that targets hepatocyte TTR mRNA, in patients with transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy. The study design enrolls participants with histologically confirmed amyloid deposits or grade 2–3 cardiac uptake on scintigraphy (without plasma cell involvement) to test eplontersen’s efficacy and safety. If successful, this would provide a targeted disease-modifying therapy that reduces circulating transthyretin production in a population with progressive, fatal TTR cardiomyopathy.
Masri A, Cappelli F, Davis MK et al. · Circulation. Heart failure · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
When amyloid chooses sides: septal affection pattern as an atypical presentation of transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy.
This case report described an atypical septal affection pattern as an unusual presentation of transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM) using multimodality imaging. The key finding was that amyloid involvement did not follow the classic symmetrical basal/midventricular pattern with apical sparing, instead showing a septal-predominant distribution. This is clinically significant because it highlights that ATTR-CM can present with non-classical imaging patterns, underscoring the need for early multimodality evaluation and timely initiation of disease-specific therapy.
Maurer LA, Studer Bruengger AA, Wiedemann Buser MS et al. · The international journal of cardiovascular imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Cardiac MRI Methods & Contrast-Free/Virtual Tissue Characterization
Fetal MRI for cardiopulmonary anomalies: what the pediatric cardiologist and surgeon need to know.
This narrative review summarized the role of fetal cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) as an adjunct to expert fetal echocardiography for prenatal evaluation of complex cardiopulmonary anomalies. It highlights that fetal CMR provides high-resolution, multiplanar imaging with superior soft-tissue contrast and a wide field of view, enabling diagnostic or prognostic information that can guide counseling, delivery planning, and postnatal management. The clinical significance is improved prenatal decision-making when echocardiography is limited by technical or physiologic factors.
Dadoun SE, Mokha S, Kooraki S et al. · Current opinion in cardiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Generation of contrast-enhanced cardiac MRI from contrast-free scans: a multi-center, multi-manufacturer study.
This multi-center, multi-manufacturer study developed and validated Cine2LGE, a contrast-free method that generates late gadolinium enhancement (LGE)-like images and estimates enhancement probability from cine cardiac MRI. The key finding was that Cine2LGE produced LGE-like image quality and enhancement probability estimates across multiple scanners and diseases, with external testing on an independent dataset. Clinically, this could expand myocardial tissue characterization to patients who cannot receive gadolinium (renal impairment or contrast allergy) while preserving the diagnostic role of LGE.
Xie P, Zhang Z, Chen J et al. · European radiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
SSDiff: A Contrast-Free Virtual LGE Generator for Acute Myocardial Infarction with Joint Segmentation via Diffusion Model.
This study developed and evaluated SSDiff, a contrast-free virtual late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) generator for acute myocardial infarction using a multitask conditional diffusion model. SSDiff synthesizes virtual LGE from routine cine plus T2-STIR inputs and incorporates joint segmentation to avoid manual post-hoc infarct delineation, addressing limitations of prior virtual LGE methods that often ignore T2-STIR edema information. Scientifically and clinically, contrast-free virtual LGE could reduce cost and complexity while preserving edema-sensitive infarct characterization in acute MI workflows.
Qi J, Yue X, Hu M et al. · IEEE journal of biomedical and health informatics · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Cardiac MRI in Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) & Surgical Planning
Feasibility of 3D echocardiography-CT/CMR fusion to create atrioventricular valve-integrated 3D printed heart models in complex congenital heart disease: greater incremental benefit for surgeons than cardiac imagers.
This feasibility study assessed 3D echocardiography–CT/CMR fusion to create atrioventricular valve–integrated 3D printed heart models in pediatric patients with complex congenital heart disease, comparing perceived utility between pediatric cardiac surgeons and imaging cardiologists. The key finding was that multimodality fusion models with valve structures provided greater incremental benefit for surgeons than for cardiac imagers compared with conventional single-modality 3D models. Scientifically and clinically, this supports valve-integrated multimodality 3D printing as a more effective tool for preoperative anatomical understanding and surgical planning in complex CHD.
Villalobos-Lizardi JC, Yoo SJ, Peel B et al. · 3D printing in medicine · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Right Ventricular Apical Hypoplasia With a Novel Morphologic Presentation: The “Christmas Hat” Sign.
This case report described a 9-year-old boy with chronic cyanosis and digital clubbing found to have right ventricular (RV) apical hypoplasia with a novel morphology. Multimodal imaging, including cardiac magnetic resonance, showed a severely hypoplastic dysplastic RV with compensatory elongation of the left ventricular apex projecting rightward, producing the described “Christmas hat” sign. The report expands the phenotypic spectrum of congenital RV apical hypoplasia and illustrates how CMR can reveal distinctive compensatory anatomy relevant for diagnosis and management.
Meléndez-Ramírez G, Patrón-Chi SA, Figueroa-Galván FS et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Multi-Center Comparison of Hybrid and Norwood Procedure in Patients with Fontan Circulation.
This multicenter registry study compared hybrid stage 1 procedure (HS1P) versus the Norwood operation in patients with Fontan circulation, using the Fontan Outcomes Registry with Clinical Examinations and propensity score matching. The key finding was the comparative performance of HS1P and Norwood on a composite outcome including death, transplant listing, protein-losing enteropathy, plastic bronchitis, atrial/ventricular tachyarrhythmias, and pulmonary artery reintervention, with additional analyses stratifying HS1P by shunt type (Sano vs Blalock-Thomas-Taussig). Clinically, the results inform surgical strategy selection for single-ventricle palliation by quantifying which approach yields better downstream outcomes and hemodynamic/CMR-related pulmonary artery trajectories.
Kobayashi K, Schiff M, Seese L et al. · The Journal of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Longitudinal Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging Demonstrates Differential Pulmonary Artery Growth in Patients with Bilateral Bidirectional Glenn Circulations.
This single-center retrospective cohort study used longitudinal cardiac magnetic resonance imaging to compare pulmonary artery (PA) growth in patients with bilateral bidirectional Glenn (BBDG) circulations versus unilateral bidirectional Glenn (BDG), including assessment of inter-superior vena cava (SVC) distance and pulmonary blood flow (PBF) splitting. The key finding was that BBDG patients show differential PA growth patterns over time that relate to Fontan geometry and PBF splitting, modeled using linear regression and CMR-derived measurements. Clinically, these imaging-linked growth differences can help refine risk assessment and follow-up planning for patients progressing toward Fontan completion.
Drysdale ND, Shad JM, Fujiwara T et al. · Pediatric cardiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Cardiac Imaging for Myocardial Fibrosis, Remodeling & Tissue Dysfunction
ECG Changes in Tetralogy of Fallot: Association with Right Ventricular Function, Early Age of Repair and Prematurity.
This retrospective study of 219 children with tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) assessed whether ECG abnormalities (including PQ interval, QRS duration/dispersion, fragmentation, QTc/JTc, and right bundle branch block) correlate with cardiac MRI measures of right ventricular function and vary by prematurity or early repair. The key finding was that specific ECG changes were associated with CMR-derived RV functional measures and were more prevalent in less mature myocardium defined by prematurity or early surgical repair. Clinically, ECG patterns could serve as accessible markers of RV maladaptation and help identify TOF patients at higher risk for later complications.
Bhat M, Malm T, Nordenstam F et al. · Pediatric cardiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Detecting early structural and functional myocardial alterations in patients with repaired tetralogy of fallot: a prospective MRI study.
This prospective cardiac MRI study evaluated 17 consecutive patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot (rTOF; median age 20 years, 4 females) to link diffuse myocardial fibrosis with regional mechanical dysfunction. Using native T1 (nT1) mapping as a marker of diffuse fibrosis and tissue phase mapping (TPM) to quantify biventricular segmental systolic/diastolic myocardial velocities, the authors found reduced peak velocities compared with healthy controls, consistent with early mechanical impairment associated with fibrosis. These findings support CMR nT1/TPM as a sensitive approach to detect early myocardial alterations in rTOF before overt clinical deterioration or arrhythmia events.
Kappler HE, Kocher N, Berg S et al. · Scientific reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Mavacamten in Obstructive Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy and C282Y Homozygous Hereditary Hemochromatosis: A First-in-Human Report.
This first-in-human case report evaluated mavacamten, a cardiac myosin inhibitor, in a 67-year-old woman with obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and homozygous C282Y hereditary hemochromatosis (HH). Cardiac MRI demonstrated septal hypertrophy with systolic anterior motion and left ventricular outflow tract obstruction, and mavacamten initiation (after beta-blocker intolerance) produced a marked reduction in the LV outflow tract gradient. The report is significant because it suggests myosin inhibition may be a viable therapeutic option when standard HCM therapies are limited, even in the setting of coexisting iron-overload HH.
Sam R, Ananthaneni A, Planek MI et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Intracoronary ECG May Reveal Dynamic Changes in Tissue-Level Reperfusion During Primary PCI.
This study evaluated intracoronary ECG (IC-ECG) recordings during primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in 15 patients with anterior myocardial infarction by connecting the guidewire to the ECG system and comparing sequential ST-segment behavior with cardiac magnetic resonance. IC-ECG demonstrated dynamic ST-segment changes during PCI that aligned with differences in tissue-level reperfusion assessed by CMR, including patterns of sustained resolution versus re-emergence after stent deployment. These findings suggest IC-ECG can provide real-time, catheter-based insight into microvascular reperfusion status during primary PCI, potentially improving interpretation of reperfusion quality beyond a single post-procedure ECG snapshot.
Aslanger EK, Akaslan D, Uysaler E et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
CMR findings across disease phases in Takotsubo syndrome: insights from the multicenter EVOLUTION registry.
This multicenter EVOLUTION registry analysis studied how cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) findings in Takotsubo syndrome (TS) change across disease phases defined by time from symptom onset to CMR. Among 439 consecutive TS patients (400 females), CMR was categorized as acute (1–72 hours), subacute (4–21 days), or late (≥22 days), and the study characterized phase-dependent differences in myocardial tissue findings. The scientific significance is improved understanding of temporal evolution of TS CMR features, which can help standardize imaging interpretation and timing in future diagnostic and research protocols.
Cau R, Luetkens J, Pontone G et al. · The American journal of cardiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Cardiometabolic Risk, Biomarkers & Biological Aging
Association of pericardial fat volume with risk of incident type 2 diabetes mellitus or major adverse cardiovascular events: Evidence from UK Biobank cohort study.
This UK Biobank cohort study examined whether pericardial fat volume measured by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging is associated with incident type 2 diabetes mellitus and major adverse cardiovascular events in 39,125 participants. Over a median 55-month follow-up, the analysis used multivariable Cox models and Kaplan–Meier curves to relate mean estimate pericardial fat area (MEPFA) to new-onset T2DM (343 events) and new-onset MACE (1,894 events). Clinically, identifying pericardial fat as a risk marker could improve cardiovascular and diabetes risk stratification beyond traditional factors.
Hu F, Wang J, Zeng X et al. · Nutrition & metabolism · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Pathways between climate change and HIV health in rural Kenya: a qualitative analysis.
This qualitative study investigated how climate change–related severe weather events affect health among people living with HIV (PLHIV) in rural Western Kenya, using in-depth semi-structured interviews with 40 PLHIV enrolled in a cluster randomized trial. Participants described perceived pathways linking extreme weather to vulnerabilities that compound HIV-related health risks while receiving ART for more than 6 months and experiencing moderate-to-severe food insecurity. The findings are important for designing HIV care and public health interventions that account for climate-driven determinants of health.
Nicastro TM, Odhiambo G, Jawuoro S et al. · Scientific reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
The influence of accelerated aging-related cardiac remodeling on cardiovascular outcomes: an observational study.
This observational study in 31,722 UK Biobank participants tested whether phenotypic age acceleration (PhenoAgeAccel) predicts cardiovascular disease outcomes and mortality and whether these associations are mediated by cardiac remodeling measured with cardiac MRI. Using Cox proportional hazards models, the study linked PhenoAgeAccel (residual of PhenoAge regressed on chronological age) to CVD outcomes and examined relationships with cardiac structure/function and cardiometabolic mediators. The scientific significance is that accelerated biological aging may drive measurable cardiac remodeling that contributes to future cardiovascular risk.
Lv Z, Li K, Liu C et al. · The journals of gerontology. Series A, Biological sciences and medical sciences · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Semaglutide Reverses Ectopic Lipid Accumulation, Impaired Myocardial Perfusion Reserve, and Diastolic Dysfunction in a Mouse Model of Cardiometabolic Heart Disease.
This preclinical study tested whether semaglutide (SEMA) reverses cardiometabolic heart disease phenotypes in mice fed a high-fat, high-sucrose diet using multiparametric cardiovascular magnetic resonance and histology. In obese mice treated with semaglutide (with pair-fed controls), SEMA reduced proinflammatory epicardial adipose tissue, decreased ectopic myocardial lipid accumulation, improved adenosine myocardial perfusion reserve, and improved diastolic function while reducing myocardial fibrosis. These results support a mechanistic role for GLP-1–based therapy in improving myocardial microvascular perfusion and remodeling in cardiometabolic disease, with CMR providing translational biomarkers of response.
Skacel TP, Saleh NR, Pavelec CM et al. · JACC. Basic to translational science · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Senescence dynamics define therapeutic windows for Duchenne muscular dystrophy in DBA/2-mdx mice.
This preclinical study investigated how the temporal dynamics of cellular senescence define therapeutic windows in Duchenne muscular dystrophy using DBA/2-mdx mice. Mice received the senolytic combination dasatinib plus quercetin (D+Q) during early versus late disease phases, and senescent cell burden in skeletal and cardiac muscle was linked to functional outcomes such as grip strength and ex vivo force. The findings support timing-dependent senolytic therapy as a strategy to maximize muscle preservation and reduce chronic DMD pathology driven by senescent cells.
Calls-Cobos A, Beà Tàrrega A, Cisneros A et al. · Skeletal muscle · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Endometriosis, subclinical cardiac remodeling, and cardiovascular risk: mechanistic insights from cardiac magnetic resonance and mediation analysis.
This UK Biobank and hospital-cohort study examined whether endometriosis is associated with subclinical cardiac remodeling and downstream cardiovascular risk, using cardiac magnetic resonance and mediation analysis. The key finding was that endometriosis status correlated with measurable cardiac structural/functional changes on CMR and that these remodeling features partially mediated cardiovascular risk. Scientifically, it provides mechanistic evidence connecting endometriosis to cardiovascular disease pathways, supporting CMR-informed risk stratification in affected women.
Feng Y, Nie K, Xiao M et al. · Reproductive biology and endocrinology : RB&E · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Diabetes & Insulin Resistance and Cardiovascular Outcomes
Polygenic Risk Identifies Older Adults Who May Benefit From Aspirin for the Primary Prevention of Ischemic Stroke.
This post hoc analysis of the ASPREE randomized trial evaluated whether an integrative polygenic score (iPGS) derived from >1.2 million variants can identify older adults who may benefit from daily 100 mg aspirin for primary prevention of ischemic stroke. Among 12,031 genotyped European-ancestry participants aged >70 years without prior cardiovascular disease, the key finding was that polygenic risk stratification could define a subgroup with net ischemic-stroke benefit despite bleeding concerns. Scientifically, this supports precision prevention strategies using polygenic risk to refine aspirin use in older populations.
Yu C, Hussain SM, Fransquet PD et al. · Stroke · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Glucose Disposal Rate: A Novel Measure of Insulin Resistance Associated With Myocardial Fibrosis and Incident Heart Failure.
This analysis in the MESA cohort (n=6025 participants without heart failure at exam 2) studied whether the estimated glucose disposal rate (eGDR), a surrogate of insulin resistance, is associated with myocardial fibrosis and incident heart failure. Using cardiac MRI to quantify left ventricular ejection fraction and myocardial fibrosis, the authors found that lower eGDR (higher insulin resistance) was associated with greater myocardial fibrosis and higher risk of incident heart failure. These findings link cardiometabolic insulin resistance to structural myocardial remodeling and future HF risk, supporting eGDR as a potentially useful risk marker alongside CMR fibrosis measures.
Bukhari S, Kwapong YA, Yanek LR et al. · Journal of the American Heart Association · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing & Hemodynamic Response Phenotyping
Absolute and Workload-indexed Exercise Blood Pressure responses: Associations with cardiac output, vascular resistance and cardiorespiratory fitness in females.
This study used cardiopulmonary exercise testing in 135 adult females (mean age 51±8 years) to examine how systolic blood pressure (SBP) responses during exercise relate to cardiac output, vascular resistance, and cardiorespiratory fitness (V̇O2peak). SBP responses were stratified by maximal SBP (SBPmax <190 vs ≥190 mmHg) and workload-indexed SBP (SBP/W-slope), and the authors found associations between these SBP response patterns and measures reflecting the pressure–flow relationship and V̇O2peak. The results suggest that workload-indexed SBP metrics may provide a practical, noninvasive hemodynamic insight relevant to identifying impaired cardiopulmonary fitness and cardiovascular risk.
Janssens K, Howden EJ, Mitchell AM et al. · American journal of physiology. Heart and circulatory physiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Performance of EQ5D-5L and AHPEQS for measuring outcomes and experiences of patients with peripherally inserted central catheters: a secondary analysis.
This secondary analysis evaluated whether the patient-reported outcome measure EQ5D-5L and the patient-reported experience measure AHPEQS can discriminate PICC-associated failure among adults enrolled in two large randomized controlled trials in two tertiary hospitals in Queensland, Australia. The study assessed the instruments’ performance against PICC failure incidence (including complications such as infection and thrombosis) using trial data. If validated, EQ5D-5L and AHPEQS could provide practical, patient-centered tools to detect and monitor clinically important PICC failure in adult care pathways.
Larsen EN, Ullman AJ, Marsh N et al. · Quality of life research : an international journal of quality of life aspects of treatment, care and rehabilitation · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Pericardial Disease, Constriction & Pericardial Inflammation
Perioperative Continuation of Interleukin-1 Blockade in Chronic Constrictive Pericarditis: Imaging-Guided Surgical Decision.
This JACC Case Reports report described perioperative continuation of interleukin-1 blockade in a 42-year-old man with chronic constrictive pericarditis evolving from incessant inflammatory pericarditis. In the case, echocardiography and cardiac MRI showed constrictive physiology with pericardial thickening and late gadolinium enhancement but no active edema, and the authors used imaging to guide surgical decision-making around pericardiectomy while continuing anakinra. Clinically, it suggests that IL-1 inhibitor continuation may be feasible in selected patients when imaging supports chronic (non-edematous) constriction rather than active inflammation.
Issa R, Ikram J, Nouman A et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Pulmonary Hypertension & Right Ventricular Adaptation
Right Ventricular Adaptation after Pulmonary Endarterectomy and Balloon Pulmonary Angioplasty in Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension: A comparative Cardiac MRI-Based Study.
In a prospective multicenter cohort study of 93 patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH), researchers compared right ventricular (RV) adaptation after pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA; n=50) versus balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA; n=43) using cardiac MRI-based assessment alongside right heart catheterization, exercise testing, and biomarkers. The study’s focus was RV reverse remodeling and associated hemodynamic and functional changes following each intervention. If confirmed, these comparative imaging-based results could inform selection and follow-up strategies for CTEPH patients undergoing PEA versus BPA.
Rodenburg TC, Higuchi S, Andersen S et al. · The European respiratory journal · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Valvular/Structural Heart Disease and Rare Mimics
Beyond the usual suspects: unmasking ALCAPA in pediatric cardiomyopathy - case report.
This pediatric case report describes a 9-year-old boy with dilated cardiomyopathy and severe mitral regurgitation whose presentation was initially atypical for anomalous left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ALCAPA). Echocardiographic findings of left ventricular dysfunction and severe MR prompted further diagnostic consideration, highlighting delayed recognition of ALCAPA beyond the classic infancy presentation. The report is significant because it underscores the need to unmask rare coronary anomalies in children with cardiomyopathy to prevent irreversible myocardial injury.
Pedraza C A, Suárez F MV, Ballén-Pinilla D et al. · BMC pediatrics · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Isolated Cardiac Hydatid Disease Presenting as Ventricular Remodeling and Tamponade.
This JACC Case Reports report describes a 16-year-old woman with isolated cardiac hydatid disease (Echinococcus) presenting with ventricular remodeling and cardiac tamponade. Multimodality imaging identified a large intact pericardial hydatid cyst with adjacent myocardial thinning, concentric hypertrophy of uninvolved LV segments, active pericarditis, and pericardial effusion causing tamponade physiology. The significance is that rare parasitic cardiac disease can mimic cardiomyopathy and tamponade, emphasizing the need for multimodal imaging and timely diagnosis.
Yousuf Q, Rashid A, Choh NA et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Arrhythmias, Channelopathies & Sudden Cardiac Death Risk
RYR1 Pathogenic Variant in a Patient With Overlapping Features of Brugada Syndrome and Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy.
This case report described a patient with overlapping Brugada syndrome (BrS) and arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) carrying a pathogenic RYR1 variant. The key finding was that ajmaline testing unmasked a diagnostic type 1 BrS ECG pattern, while cardiac MRI showed subtle right ventricular dyskinesia and focal left ventricular fibrosis meeting borderline ACM criteria, linking RYR1-mediated calcium-handling dysfunction to a combined arrhythmia phenotype. Clinically, it expands the genetic and mechanistic differential for BrS–ACM overlap and supports considering RYR1 testing and comprehensive imaging in similar presentations.
Saplaouras A, Koskina S, Mililis P et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Diagnostic Evolution From Channelopathy to Idiopathic Ventricular Fibrillation After Aborted Sudden Cardiac Death.
This case report followed a 23-year-old woman initially presenting with seizure-like activity who was later diagnosed with long QT syndrome and subsequently developed idiopathic ventricular fibrillation (IVF) despite no structural/metabolic cause. After implantable cardioverter-defibrillator placement, cardiac magnetic resonance was negative and a 51-gene arrhythmia panel plus subcutaneous cardiac monitor (implantable loop recorder) evaluation confirmed the spontaneous ventricular fibrillation episode without an identifiable genetic/structural etiology. Clinically, the report highlights how channelopathy (long QT syndrome) can evolve into a phenotype consistent with IVF, emphasizing the need for comprehensive genetic and imaging workup and ongoing rhythm monitoring in young patients with aborted sudden cardiac death.
Butt F, Chokshi P, Badua PM et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Ventricular Tachycardia Due to Intracardiac Metastases: Multimodality Imaging and Management Considerations.
This case report studied a 57-year-old man with advanced metastatic renal cell carcinoma who presented with syncope and developed hemodynamically unstable monomorphic ventricular tachycardia due to intracardiac metastases. Multimodality imaging showed tumor-related substrate: contrast-enhanced perfusion echocardiography demonstrated heterogeneous early hyperenhancement consistent with tumor neovascularization, and echocardiography suggested apical left ventricular hypertrophy with preserved systolic function. The work underscores that malignant ventricular arrhythmias can be the first sign of intracardiac metastasis and that multimodality imaging is critical for early diagnosis and management planning.
Chan TH, Leung HL, Cheng CN et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Sinus Node Dysfunction in Takotsubo Syndrome: An Uncommon Presentation.
This case report examined sinus node dysfunction (SND) in a 68-year-old patient with Takotsubo syndrome (stress cardiomyopathy) confirmed by cardiac magnetic resonance after obstructive coronary disease was excluded. Although left ventricular systolic function fully recovered, sinus node dysfunction persisted during hospitalization and required permanent pacemaker implantation. The clinical significance is that conduction system complications in Takotsubo syndrome—though uncommon—may outlast ventricular recovery, so rhythm monitoring and readiness for pacing are warranted.
Zakynthinos GE, Kalogeras K, Vlachojannis GJ et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Myocarditis (Recurrent vs Single) and Prognosis
Insights Into the Natural History of Recurrent Myocarditis, A Multicenter International Study (Re-Myo Study).
This multicenter international study (Re-Myo Study) investigated the natural history of recurrent acute myocarditis (Re-AM) in 141 patients with biopsy-proven or cardiac MRI–proven recurrent myocarditis and compared them with 372 patients with single acute myocarditis (S-AM). The key finding was characterization of clinical features and outcomes of Re-AM over follow-up, including the frequency of major adverse events captured by a composite endpoint (all-cause mortality, heart transplant, and major ventricular arrhythmias). Scientifically, it improves understanding of recurrence patterns and prognosis in myocarditis, informing risk stratification and management strategies for patients with recurrent disease.
Baggio C, Cannata A, Gasperetti A et al. · Journal of the American Heart Association · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Cardiac Sarcoidosis and Electrophysiology-Based Risk Stratification
Clinical and Imaging Abnormalities Associated With Inducible Ventricular Arrhythmias During Electrophysiologic Study in Patients With Cardiac Sarcoidosis and Mildly Impaired Left Ventricular Function.
This retrospective cohort study assessed whether electrophysiologic study (EPS) findings can stratify sudden cardiac death risk in adults with cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) and mildly impaired left ventricular ejection fraction. The investigators analyzed clinical and imaging abnormalities associated with inducible ventricular arrhythmias during EPS in CS patients meeting World Association of Sarcoidosis and Other Granulomatous Disorders criteria, aiming to support EPS as a noninvasive alternative for risk stratification. If validated, EPS-based inducibility plus imaging/clinical markers could refine implantable cardioverter-defibrillator decision-making in CS patients who are not clearly high risk by ejection fraction alone.
Treacy T, Pereira R, Tandon P et al. · Journal of the American Heart Association · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Oncology Imaging Biomarkers & Transplant/PET Response
Survival of patients with complete metabolic response on [18F]FDG PET/CT after chemotherapy prior to transplantation for colorectal liver metastases.
This study analyzed survival outcomes in 45 patients with colorectal liver metastases undergoing transplantation after chemotherapy, stratifying by pre-transplant [18F]FDG PET/CT metabolic tumor volume (MTV) and focusing on those with complete metabolic response (CMR; MTV=0). The key comparison was disease-free survival (DFS), overall survival (OS), and post-relapse survival (PRS) between CMR patients and groups with low or high MTV, using MTV derived from [18F]FDG PET/CT. The clinical significance is that PET/CT-defined complete metabolic response may serve as a prognostic biomarker for transplant outcomes in CRLM, potentially guiding selection and timing of transplantation.
Stern NM, Dueland S, Line PD et al. · Scandinavian journal of surgery : SJS : official organ for the Finnish Surgical Society and the Scandinavian Surgical Society · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Twenty years of age-standardized prostate cancer mortality in Kazakhstan (2005-2024): joinpoint model and geographical hot spot and cold spot analysis.
This population-based observational study analyzed prostate cancer mortality in Kazakhstan from 2005–2024 using ICD-10 C61 deaths, calculating crude and age-standardized mortality rates and applying joinpoint regression and Getis-Ord Gi* hot spot/cold spot analyses across five time periods. The key finding was the identification of temporal trend changes (via joinpoints) and geographic clustering of higher- and lower-mortality regions over the two decades. Public-health significance lies in pinpointing when and where mortality is changing, enabling targeted surveillance and resource allocation for prostate cancer control in Kazakhstan.
Igissinova G, Igissin N, Yermek N et al. · BMC public health · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Predictive value of [18F]FDG PET/CT and index lymph node response following neoadjuvant pembrolizumab in resectable stage 3 melanoma: Real world data from the largest melanoma centres in the Netherlands.
This retrospective analysis of largely prospectively collected real-world data evaluated whether [18F]FDG PET/CT metabolic response and index lymph node (ILN) response after two cycles of neoadjuvant pembrolizumab can predict major pathological response (MPR) in resectable stage III melanoma. The key finding was the predictive value of post-treatment PET/CT metabolic changes and ILN response for identifying responders to neoadjuvant pembrolizumab. Clinically, these imaging biomarkers could enable better selection of patients for surgery and potentially support surgical de-escalation strategies in stage III melanoma.
Wilson MJ, Schurink AW, Schrage Y et al. · European journal of cancer (Oxford, England : 1990) · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Machine Learning / Federated Learning / Privacy-Preserving AI
FedDriftGuard adaptive federated learning with differential privacy for concept drift in edge environments.
This study developed FedDriftGuard, an adaptive federated learning framework with differential privacy to handle concept drift in edge environments. The key finding was that combining drift adaptation with differential privacy and resource-efficient federated training improves model performance under non-stationary, asymmetric data distributions compared with standard federated learning baselines such as FedAvg and DP-FedAvg. Scientifically, it advances privacy-preserving edge learning by reducing predictive bias and convergence degradation when user behavior or sensing conditions change over time.
Sudhakar K, Jayasree A, Sundaragiri D et al. · Scientific reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Generated automatically on May 09, 2026. Covers PubMed articles published May 02, 2026 – May 09, 2026. Summaries are AI-generated; always consult the original publication for clinical or research decisions.