What’s New in Cardiac MRI?

May 12, 2026 · 41 articles · 22 research themes · covering May 05, 2026 – May 12, 2026

Overview

Across this week’s set, a dominant theme is risk stratification for cardiovascular events using increasingly granular phenotyping—especially with cardiac MRI. Multiple studies focus on identifying “who is at risk” beyond conventional clinical measures: electrophysiologic study findings in cardiac sarcoidosis, CMR biomarkers in mitral valve prolapse, and multimodal approaches in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and repaired tetralogy of Fallot. In parallel, cardiometabolic and aging signals (pericardial fat, insulin resistance via eGDR, phenotypic age acceleration) are linked to CMR-detected remodeling and fibrosis, reinforcing a continuum where systemic risk translates into measurable myocardial injury.

A second major thread is the expansion of imaging and diagnostic tools to capture dynamic or hard-to-detect mechanisms. Case reports and feasibility work highlight how multimodality imaging can unmask atypical substrates—such as intracardiac metastases causing malignant VT, hydatid disease presenting with tamponade plus myocardial remodeling, and unusual transthyretin amyloid patterns that don’t follow classic echocardiographic templates. Methodological advances also feature prominently: contrast-free LGE-like imaging (Cine2LGE), non-contrast ECG-gated aortic/coronary MRI, and cine-to-LGE probability generation aim to broaden access and reduce contrast dependence, while IC-ECG during PCI offers real-time microvascular reperfusion information.

Finally, the digest reflects a broader shift toward precision and personalization—therapeutic and computational. Targeted treatments for amyloidosis (eplontersen trial design) and mechanistic metabolic therapy (semaglutide reversing ectopic fat/inflammation in a mouse model) sit alongside AI/LLM workflows for auditable interpretation of cine CMR. Together, these studies suggest that future clinical care will increasingly combine mechanistic biomarkers, advanced imaging, and interpretable computational tools to guide surveillance, therapy selection, and outcome prediction.

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Cardiac Sarcoidosis & Electrophysiology 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 evaluated adults (>18 years) with cardiac sarcoidosis (highly probable/probable by WASOG criteria) and mildly impaired left ventricular ejection fraction to determine whether electrophysiologic study (EPS) findings could stratify sudden cardiac death (SCD) risk. Patients who developed inducible ventricular arrhythmias during EPS showed distinct clinical and imaging abnormalities, supporting EPS as a noninvasive risk-stratification approach in this population. These findings could improve selection for implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) therapy by identifying CS patients with mild LV dysfunction who have higher arrhythmic risk.

Treacy T, Pereira R, Tandon P et al. · Journal of the American Heart Association · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

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Recurrent Myocarditis Natural History & Outcomes

Insights Into the Natural History of Recurrent Myocarditis, A Multicenter International Study (Re-Myo Study).

This multicenter international study evaluated clinical characteristics and outcomes of 141 adults with recurrent acute myocarditis (Re-AM) confirmed by endomyocardial biopsy or cardiac magnetic resonance, compared with 372 patients with a single acute myocarditis episode. Re-AM patients had a worse composite outcome of all-cause mortality, heart transplant, and major ventricular arrhythmias than those with single acute myocarditis. These findings clarify the natural history and risk profile of recurrent myocarditis and support closer surveillance and risk stratification in patients with Re-AM.

Baggio C, Cannata A, Gasperetti A et al. · Journal of the American Heart Association · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

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Pericarditis & Constrictive Pericarditis Management

Perioperative Continuation of Interleukin-1 Blockade in Chronic Constrictive Pericarditis: Imaging-Guided Surgical Decision.

This JACC Case Report described perioperative management in a 42-year-old man with chronic incessant inflammatory pericarditis evolving to constrictive pericarditis despite long-term anakinra, prednisone, and colchicine. Echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance showed constrictive physiology with pericardial thickening and late gadolinium enhancement but no active edema, guiding an imaging-informed surgical decision around continued IL-1 blockade. The report suggests a potential role for continuing IL-1 inhibition through the perioperative period in selected patients undergoing pericardiectomy for chronic constriction.

Issa R, Ikram J, Nouman A et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

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Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy & Myosin Inhibition

Mavacamten in Obstructive Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy and C282Y Homozygous Hereditary Hemochromatosis: A First-in-Human Report.

This first-in-human JACC Case Report evaluated mavacamten, a cardiac myosin inhibitor, in a 67-year-old woman with obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) coexisting with homozygous C282Y hereditary hemochromatosis (HH). After starting mavacamten due to beta-blocker intolerance, the patient had a marked reduction in left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) gradient. The case supports feasibility of myosin inhibition in complex patients with overlapping HCM and iron-overload cardiomyopathy phenotypes and highlights diagnostic complexity when both conditions coexist.

Sam R, Ananthaneni A, Planek MI et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

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Arrhythmogenic Syndromes & Genetic/Imaging Overlap (Brugada/ACM/RYR1)

RYR1 Pathogenic Variant in a Patient With Overlapping Features of Brugada Syndrome and Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy.

This JACC Case Report investigated a patient with overlapping Brugada syndrome (BrS) and arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) features for a potential shared genetic mechanism. A pathogenic RYR1 variant was identified in a 32-year-old man whose ajmaline testing unmasked a type 1 BrS ECG pattern, while cardiac magnetic resonance showed subtle right ventricular dyskinesia and focal left ventricular fibrosis meeting borderline ACM criteria. The report links RYR1 to arrhythmia-syndrome overlap and underscores the value of combined pharmacologic ECG challenge and multimodality imaging for mechanism-directed diagnosis.

Saplaouras A, Koskina S, Mililis P et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

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Coronary Intervention Microvascular Reperfusion Imaging (IC-ECG)

Intracoronary ECG May Reveal Dynamic Changes in Tissue-Level Reperfusion During Primary PCI.

This JACC Case Report studied whether intracoronary ECG (IC-ECG) can detect dynamic, tissue-level reperfusion changes during primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in 15 patients with anterior myocardial infarction. Sequential IC-ECG recordings during PCI demonstrated time-varying ST-segment behavior that corresponded to differences in infarct characteristics assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance. The findings suggest IC-ECG could provide real-time microvascular reperfusion information beyond standard surface ECG during primary PCI.

Aslanger EK, Akaslan D, Uysaler E et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

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Idiopathic Ventricular Fibrillation & Channelopathy Reclassification

Diagnostic Evolution From Channelopathy to Idiopathic Ventricular Fibrillation After Aborted Sudden Cardiac Death.

This JACC Case Report followed a 23-year-old woman whose presentation evolved from suspected channelopathy to idiopathic ventricular fibrillation (IVF) after aborted sudden cardiac death. After initial long QT syndrome diagnosis and implantable cardioverter-defibrillator placement, extensive evaluation including cardiac magnetic resonance, a negative 51-gene arrhythmia panel, and an implanted loop recorder confirmed spontaneous ventricular fibrillation without structural or metabolic cause. The case emphasizes that even after initial channelopathy labeling, comprehensive genetic and imaging workup may be necessary to establish IVF and guide long-term management.

Butt F, Chokshi P, Badua PM et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · 1 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

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Cancer-Associated Arrhythmia Substrates (Intracardiac Metastases)

Ventricular Tachycardia Due to Intracardiac Metastases: Multimodality Imaging and Management Considerations.

This JACC Case Report examined multimodality imaging and management of malignant ventricular tachycardia due to intracardiac metastases in a 57-year-old man with advanced metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Echocardiography suggested apical left ventricular hypertrophy, while contrast-enhanced perfusion echocardiography showed heterogeneous early hyperenhancement consistent with tumor neovascularization, leading to recognition of intracardiac metastatic disease as the arrhythmia substrate. The report highlights the clinical importance of early multimodality imaging to diagnose intracardiac metastases and inform prognosis and treatment planning in cancer patients with ventricular arrhythmias.

Chan TH, Leung HL, Cheng CN et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · 1 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

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Cardiovascular MRI/CT Methodology & Contrast-Free Imaging

Fetal MRI for cardiopulmonary anomalies: what the pediatric cardiologist and surgeon need to know.

This narrative review summarized how fetal cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) can complement expert fetal echocardiography for complex cardiopulmonary anomalies in pregnancy. It highlights that fetal CMR provides high-resolution, multiplanar imaging with superior soft-tissue contrast and a wide field of view, enabling improved diagnostic/prognostic assessment when echocardiography is limited by technical or physiologic factors. Clinically, the review provides a framework for when fetal CMR should inform counseling, delivery planning, and postnatal management.

Dadoun SE, Mokha S, Kooraki S et al. · Current opinion in cardiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

Association between coronary high-intensity plaque and pericoronary adipose tissue attenuation and plaque morphology.

This retrospective study examined whether high-intensity plaque (HIP) on cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is associated with pericoronary adipose tissue attenuation (PCATA) and coronary plaque morphology in patients with chronic coronary syndrome (CCS). Among 86 patients (104 lesions) who underwent CMR and coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) before elective percutaneous coronary intervention, HIP was defined using a plaque-to-myocardium signal intensity ratio (PMR) ≥1.4 on T1-weighted CMR, and PCATA was quantified for the target lesion. If HIP correlates with pericoronary fat attenuation and plaque features, CMR could help characterize vulnerable coronary biology beyond luminal stenosis.

Ishii Y, Watabe H, Kyohei U et al. · International journal of cardiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

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 that performed well across multiple scanners and diseases and were externally tested on an independent dataset. The scientific and clinical significance is that this approach could expand myocardial tissue characterization to patients who cannot receive gadolinium contrast (e.g., renal impairment or contrast allergy).

Xie P, Zhang Z, Chen J et al. · European radiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

Aorta and coronary artery assessment using high-contrast respiratory motion corrected and ECG-gated 3D T2-prepared GRE MRI with Dixon fat-water separation in patients with and without prior aortic root surgery at 3 T.

This European Journal of Radiology study validated a novel non-contrast, ECG-gated 3T MRI technique—T2-prepared GRE with Dixon fat-water separation and respiratory motion correction (T2p GD)—for assessing the aorta and coronary arteries in 55 patients, including 26 with and 29 without prior aortic root surgery. The proposed sequence demonstrated diagnostic performance comparable to standard contrast-enhanced MR angiography (CE-MRA) while avoiding contrast administration. If confirmed in larger cohorts, this approach could reduce contrast exposure and improve imaging feasibility in patients requiring repeated or contrast-averse cardiovascular MRI.

Cereghetti GM, Huber LP, Todorski I et al. · European journal of radiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

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GLP-1/Metabolic Therapy & Cardiometabolic Heart Disease (Preclinical)

Semaglutide Reverses Ectopic Lipid Accumulation, Impaired Myocardial Perfusion Reserve, and Diastolic Dysfunction in a Mouse Model of Cardiometabolic Heart Disease.

This JACC Basic to Translational Science study tested whether semaglutide reverses cardiometabolic heart disease phenotypes in mice fed a high-fat, high-sucrose diet. Using multiparametric cardiovascular MRI alongside histology, semaglutide reduced proinflammatory epicardial adipose tissue, decreased ectopic myocardial lipid accumulation, improved adenosine myocardial perfusion reserve, and improved diastolic dysfunction (with associated reductions in myocardial fibrosis). The results support a mechanistic link between GLP-1–based therapy and improved myocardial energetics/perfusion via reversal of ectopic fat and inflammation.

Skacel TP, Saleh NR, Pavelec CM et al. · JACC. Basic to translational science · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

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Takotsubo Syndrome Complications (Conduction System)

Sinus Node Dysfunction in Takotsubo Syndrome: An Uncommon Presentation.

This JACC Case Report described an uncommon conduction-system complication in Takotsubo syndrome in a 68-year-old patient presenting with acute pulmonary edema, reduced LV ejection fraction, and troponin elevation. Cardiac MRI confirmed stress cardiomyopathy after coronary angiography excluded obstructive coronary disease, but sinus node dysfunction persisted even after complete recovery of LV systolic function, necessitating a permanent pacemaker. The case highlights that persistent sinus node dysfunction can occur in Takotsubo syndrome and may require long-term rhythm management despite apparent cardiac recovery.

Zakynthinos GE, Kalogeras K, Vlachojannis GJ et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

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Cardiac Masses & Tissue Characterization (Lipoma, Hydatid)

Quantitative native T1 mapping identifies papillary muscle and intracavitary cardiac lipomas: A multiparametric CMR case series.

This case series studied two patients with cardiac lipomas—a 47-year-old woman with a papillary muscle lipoma and a 31-year-old Asian man with an intracavitary left ventricular lipoma—using conventional cardiac MRI and native T1 mapping at 1.5 T. Conventional CMR showed characteristic fat signal, while native T1 mapping demonstrated markedly reduced T1 values (250 ms and 405 ms at 1.5 T), improving diagnostic confidence in anatomically complex or small lesions. Quantitative native T1 mapping may therefore reduce misclassification of intracardiac fat-containing masses and support more reliable noninvasive diagnosis of cardiac lipoma.

Montatore M, Rella M, Milo M et al. · Radiology case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

Isolated Cardiac Hydatid Disease Presenting as Ventricular Remodeling and Tamponade.

This JACC Case Reports report describes a 16-year-old woman with cardiac hydatid (Echinococcus) disease presenting with acute tamponade physiology and secondary myocardial remodeling, characterized by multimodality imaging findings including a large intact pericardial hydatid cyst and adjacent myocardial thinning. The key finding was that imaging demonstrated both pericardial involvement causing effusion/tamponade and regional myocardial remodeling (including concentric hypertrophy in uninvolved left ventricular segments) attributable to the hydatid process. The case highlights an exceptional but important diagnostic consideration—cardiac hydatid disease should be considered when tamponade and myocardial remodeling coexist, because early recognition can guide urgent management.

Yousuf Q, Rashid A, Choh NA et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

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Cardiac Risk Prediction in Cardiomyopathies (HCM, MVP, TOF, Aging/PhenoAgeAccel)

Predictors of Long-Term Outcomes in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: The NHLBI HCM Registry.

This registry-based study analyzed 2750 patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy enrolled in the NHLBI HCM Registry across 44 North American and European sites, integrating clinical history, imaging, genetic data, and biomarkers to improve prediction of adverse events beyond sudden cardiac death. The key finding was that combining prospectively collected multimodal data (including genetic and imaging variables) can refine long-term risk prediction for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy outcomes. Improved risk models could reduce avoidable implantable cardioverter-defibrillator use and prevent avoidable deaths by better identifying patients at true risk.

Kramer CM, Kolm P, DiMarco JP et al. · JAMA · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

Cardiac Magnetic Resonance for the Prediction of Arrhythmic Events in Mitral Valve Prolapse: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

This systematic review and meta-analysis assessed prognostic value of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) biomarkers—late gadolinium enhancement (LGE), mitral annular disjunction (MAD), and systolic curling—in patients with mitral valve prolapse (MVP) across 15 studies totaling 1,994 patients. All three CMR-derived imaging biomarkers were significantly associated with increased risk of arrhythmic events (pooled relative risks ~1.5–1.8), and the review also characterized clinical/imaging features of MVP patients with LGE. These findings support using CMR risk stratification to identify MVP patients at higher arrhythmic risk and potentially guide closer monitoring or preventive strategies.

Papanastasiou CA, Kampaktsis PN, Papalamprakopoulou Z et al. · The American journal of cardiology · (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 evaluated whether phenotypic age acceleration (PhenoAgeAccel) predicts cardiovascular disease outcomes and mortality and whether these associations are mediated by cardiac remodeling measured with cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR). The key finding was that greater PhenoAgeAccel was associated with higher risk of cardiovascular outcomes and that CMR-detected cardiac structural/functional remodeling helped explain part of this relationship, alongside cardiometabolic mediators. Scientifically, the work links accelerated biological aging to measurable myocardial remodeling, supporting PhenoAgeAccel as a risk marker that may reflect underlying cardiac deterioration.

Lv Z, Li K, Liu C et al. · The journals of gerontology. Series A, Biological sciences and medical sciences · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

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Congenital/Structural Heart Disease & Shunt Physiology (ALCAPA, Uhl/PFO, CTEPH, rTOF)

Flow-Driven Right-to-Left Shunting Through the Patent Foramen Ovale Causing Hypoxemia and Embolism in a Partial Uhl Anomaly.

This JACC Case Reports study examined a 49-year-old woman with progressive dyspnea and prior ischemic stroke, using multimodality imaging to evaluate a partial Uhl anomaly with a patent foramen ovale. Despite normal right-sided pressures, the authors identified a permanent right-to-left shunt predominantly driven by flow redirection associated with the partial Uhl physiology, leading to hypoxemia and embolism. The case underscores that functional shunting through a PFO can occur without elevated right-sided pressures, informing diagnostic evaluation of unexplained hypoxemia and embolic events.

Laboratto LE, Vannoni G, Nieto G et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

Beyond the usual suspects: unmasking ALCAPA in pediatric cardiomyopathy - case report.

This case report described a 9-year-old boy with dilated cardiomyopathy and severe mitral regurgitation who was initially evaluated in the context of an asthma exacerbation, ultimately highlighting anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ALCAPA) as a diagnostic consideration. The key finding is the clinical presentation of ALCAPA in a pediatric patient with atypical features and delayed recognition risk for irreversible myocardial injury. The report emphasizes that ALCAPA should be “unmasked” in pediatric cardiomyopathy when echocardiographic findings and clinical context suggest coronary anomalies, enabling timely diagnosis and management.

Pedraza C A, Suárez F MV, Ballén-Pinilla D et al. · BMC pediatrics · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

ECG Changes in Tetralogy of Fallot: Association with Right Ventricular Function, Early Age of Repair and Prematurity.

In a retrospective study of 219 repaired or operated tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) patients, investigators assessed whether ECG abnormalities (e.g., PQ interval, QRS duration/dispersion, fragmentation, QTc/JTc, and right bundle branch block) correlate with CMR measures of right ventricular (RV) function and whether ECG changes are more prevalent in less mature myocardium defined by prematurity or early repair. The key finding was that specific ECG change patterns were associated with worse RV function on CMR and were more common when repair occurred early or in the setting of prematurity. Clinically, ECG may serve as an accessible marker of RV maladaptation risk in TOF, potentially identifying patients who may benefit from closer CMR surveillance.

Bhat M, Malm T, Nordenstam F et al. · Pediatric cardiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

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 evaluated whether 3D echocardiography–CT/CMR fusion to create atrioventricular valve-integrated 3D printed heart models improves perceived clinical utility for surgeons versus imaging cardiologists in complex pediatric congenital heart disease. The key finding was that including valve structures in multimodality-fused 3D printed models provided greater incremental benefit for surgeons than for cardiac imagers, improving anatomical understanding and preoperative planning. The result supports valve-integrated multimodality 3D printing as a practical tool to enhance surgical workflow in complex congenital heart disease.

Villalobos-Lizardi JC, Yoo SJ, Peel B et al. · 3D printing in medicine · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

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Exercise Testing & Hemodynamic Profiling

Repositioning of exercise treadmill testing in contemporary chest pain management.

This narrative review studied the contemporary role of exercise treadmill testing (ETT) in chest pain management, comparing its diagnostic and prognostic/functional value against imaging-led strategies such as coronary CT angiography and stress CMR or stress echocardiography. It concluded that although ETT has lower accuracy for obstructive CAD than modern imaging, it still provides clinically useful exercise-derived prognostic and functional information and remains positioned in major society guidelines for selected patients. Repositioning ETT can help optimize resource use and patient selection in chest pain pathways.

Xue X, Bai Y, Li H et al. · The international journal of cardiovascular imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

Absolute and Workload-indexed Exercise Blood Pressure responses: Associations with cardiac output, vascular resistance and cardiorespiratory fitness in females.

In 135 adult females undergoing cardiopulmonary exercise testing across a wide fitness range, investigators examined absolute and workload-indexed systolic blood pressure (SBP) responses and their associations with cardiac output, vascular resistance, and cardiorespiratory fitness (V̇O2peak). The key finding was that SBP response patterns—particularly when stratified by SBPmax and workload-indexed SBP (SBP/W-slope)—were associated with differences in the pressure–flow hemodynamic relationship and with V̇O2peak. This suggests that exercise SBP profiling may provide additional insight into cardiovascular limitations relevant to aerobic capacity and cardiometabolic risk.

Janssens K, Howden EJ, Mitchell AM et al. · American journal of physiology. Heart and circulatory physiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

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Training/Credentialing & Health Systems (Robotics, Cardiology pathways)

Training and credentialing in robotic general surgery.

This narrative review studied how robotic general surgery training and credentialing frameworks are implemented across institutions, focusing on variability in competency definitions, assessment standards, and access to training. It found substantial inconsistencies in training/credentialing structures that lag behind rapid robotic platform adoption, raising concerns about patient safety, equity, and workforce readiness. The work highlights the need for standardized, evidence-informed credentialing and competency assessment to support safe expansion of robotic surgery.

Harris M, Mohan H, Martins BAA et al. · International journal of colorectal disease · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

Understanding the cardiology training landscape in Asia-Pacific region.

This cross-regional survey studied cardiology training and credentialing pathways across 23 Asia-Pacific regions using a 42-item online questionnaire completed by credentialed cardiologists. It found that all regions require specialist qualification to practise cardiology, with 69.6% reporting a single training pathway and smaller proportions reporting multiple pathways (21.7% and 8.7%). Mapping these differences is significant for harmonizing cardiology curricula development and addressing disparities in training and credentialing across the region.

Cader FA, Lee WYS, Widodo WA et al. · Postgraduate medical journal · (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 relevant to HIV health, within a context of food insecurity and smallholder farming. Understanding these mechanisms can inform climate-adaptive HIV care and support interventions that reduce health impacts during severe weather events.

Nicastro TM, Odhiambo G, Jawuoro S et al. · Scientific reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

Intraoperative study of afferent and efferent connections in the upper lumbar spinal cord - Part 1: Cremasteric reflex.

This intraoperative clinical neurophysiology study evaluated feasibility and neurophysiological characteristics of the cremasteric reflex (CMR) in males under general anesthesia during upper lumbar spinal surgery. In 15 male patients undergoing intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring, cremaster muscle responses were recorded after electrical stimulation of the upper medial thigh using a multipulse train paradigm, with an overall recordability rate of 76%. Establishing stimulation/recording parameters supports the use of cremasteric reflex testing as a practical intraoperative neurophysiological measure.

de Melo DLM, Oliveira DRDCAB, Madureira PLDS et al. · Clinical neurophysiology : official journal of the International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

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Oncology Genomics & Precision Oncology (Driver Alterations)

Cancer type-specific variation in patterns of driver alterations across 50,000 tumors.

This large-scale cancer genomics study analyzed 54,331 tumors from 48,179 patients across 448 histological cancer subtypes to map cancer type-specific patterns of somatic driver alterations. It found that one-third of drivers occur in non-canonical contexts and show distinct properties such as increased subclonality, later emergence, and divergent biology, alongside identification of 164 newly defined hotspots. These context-specific driver maps are significant for improving mechanistic understanding of tumor evolution and refining precision oncology strategies by cancer type.

Bandlamudi C, Muldoon D, de Bruijn I et al. · Cancer cell · (2026) · 1 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

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Amyloidosis Therapeutics & Phenotyping (TTR/ATTR)

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–conjugated antisense oligonucleotide targeting hepatocyte TTR mRNA) in patients with transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy. The study is designed to test whether eplontersen reduces transthyretin production and improves efficacy and safety outcomes in this progressive disease population, using key inclusion criteria such as histologic amyloid deposits or grade 2–3 cardiac uptake on scintigraphy and absence of plasma cell dyscrasia. If successful, this would establish a targeted RNA-silencing therapy for TTR amyloid cardiomyopathy with a mechanism directly addressing the source of circulating TTR.

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 imaging-focused report describes an atypical transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM) presentation characterized by a septal affection pattern rather than the classic symmetric basal/midventricular involvement with apical sparing. The key finding was that multimodality imaging showed an unusual distribution of myocardial amyloid involvement consistent with septal-predominant disease, which can complicate recognition using typical echocardiographic patterns. Clinically, the case emphasizes that ATTR-CM can present with non-classical regional patterns, so diagnostic algorithms should incorporate multimodality imaging when suspicion remains despite atypical “apical sparing” findings.

Maurer LA, Studer Bruengger AA, Wiedemann Buser MS et al. · The international journal of cardiovascular imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

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Pediatric Cardiology & Congenital Imaging/Surveillance (including carriers)

Longitudinal changes in cardiac function, volumes and fibrosis in a prospective cohort of female Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy carriers.

This prospective cohort study used cardiac MRI with late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) to characterize longitudinal changes in ventricular volumes, function, and fibrosis in female Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy carriers (MDC) versus non-carriers. Across three annual CMR visits, 75 genetically confirmed MDC and 22 non-carrier females were followed, with repeat imaging at visits 2 and 3 for subsets of participants. Defining the natural history of cardiomyopathy-related remodeling and fibrosis in female carriers could improve risk prediction and surveillance strategies in this under-characterized population.

Ledingham L, Conroy S, Kanwar K et al. · International journal of cardiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

Detecting early structural and functional myocardial alterations in patients with repaired tetralogy of fallot: a prospective MRI study.

In 17 consecutive patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot (rTOF), this prospective CMR study extended clinical imaging with native T1 (nT1) mapping to quantify diffuse biventricular fibrosis and tissue phase mapping (TPM) to measure segmental directional systolic/diastolic myocardial velocities. The key finding was that patients showed reduced peak myocardial velocities compared with healthy controls and that diffuse fibrosis (via nT1) related to regional mechanical dysfunction on TPM. This provides mechanistic imaging evidence connecting diffuse myocardial fibrosis to altered contractile/relaxation mechanics in rTOF, which may help stratify arrhythmia and heart failure risk.

Kappler HE, Kocher N, Berg S et al. · Scientific reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

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Diabetes/Insulin Resistance & Cardiometabolic Risk (CMR/Pericardial Fat/eGDR)

Management of Iron Overload in Infants and Toddlers With Diamond-Blackfan Anemia Syndrome: A French-Italian Study.

This retrospective multicenter study analyzed 167 transfused infants and toddlers with Diamond-Blackfan anemia syndrome from French and Italian national registries to characterize chelation timing and use in children under 3 years. It found that 64 patients (38%) initiated chelation before age three (median 18 months), with chelation typically indicated by serum ferritin ≥500 ng/mL and >10 transfusions, and that deferasirox was the most used chelator. Early real-world chelation patterns in very young children are clinically important for preventing severe iron overload while informing pediatric chelation strategies.

Torchio F, Lecalvez B, Garelli E et al. · American journal of hematology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

A study on the correlation between cardiac magnetic resonance characteristics and myocardial fibrosis in overweight and obese individuals.

This study used cardiac MRI in 192 participants stratified by BMI (normal weight n=77, overweight n=37, obesity n=78) to assess cardiac structure/function, myocardial strain, epicardial adipose tissue volume (EATV), and myocardial fibrosis measured by LGE positivity. It aimed to determine how CMR-derived parameters differ across weight categories and how well they relate to LGE-detected fibrosis. Establishing these associations is clinically significant because it could enable CMR-based identification of subclinical myocardial fibrosis risk in overweight and obese individuals.

Liu L, Yao Y, Yu H et al. · BMC medical imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

Association of pericardial fat volume with risk of incident type 2 diabetes mellitus or major adverse cardiovascular events: Evidence from UK Biobank cohort study.

Using UK Biobank data (n=39,125), this cohort study examined whether pericardial fat volume measured by cardiac magnetic resonance (mean estimate pericardial fat area, MEPFA) predicts incident type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) over a median 55-month follow-up. The study found 343 new-onset T2DM and 1,894 new-onset MACE events, and it evaluated associations using multivariable Cox models and Kaplan–Meier analyses. If pericardial fat is confirmed as an independent risk marker, CMR-based pericardial fat quantification could improve early identification of individuals at elevated cardiometabolic risk.

Hu F, Wang J, Zeng X et al. · Nutrition & metabolism · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

Polygenic Risk Identifies Older Adults Who May Benefit From Aspirin for the Primary Prevention of Ischemic Stroke.

In a post hoc analysis of the ASPREE randomized trial, researchers 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. The analysis included 12,031 genotyped European-ancestry participants aged >70 years without prior cardiovascular disease, testing iPGS continuously and by risk strata for net benefit versus placebo. If validated, polygenic risk stratification could personalize aspirin use in older adults to maximize stroke prevention while minimizing bleeding harm.

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.

Using data from 6,025 MESA participants free of heart failure at exam 2, investigators calculated estimated glucose disposal rate (eGDR) as a surrogate of insulin resistance and related it to CMR measures of left ventricular function and myocardial fibrosis, then assessed incident heart failure. The key finding was that lower eGDR (higher insulin resistance) was associated with greater myocardial fibrosis and predicted incident heart failure during follow-up. This supports eGDR as a cardiometabolic risk marker that tracks with myocardial remodeling detectable by CMR and may help identify individuals at elevated HF risk.

Bukhari S, Kwapong YA, Yanek LR et al. · Journal of the American Heart Association · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

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Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension & RV Remodeling (PEA vs BPA)

Right Ventricular Adaptation after Pulmonary Endarterectomy and Balloon Pulmonary Angioplasty in Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension: A comparative Cardiac MRI-Based Study.

This prospective multicenter cohort study compared right ventricular (RV) hemodynamic, functional, and structural responses to pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA; n=50) versus balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA; n=43) in 93 patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) using cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR), right heart catheterization, exercise testing, and biomarkers. The key finding was that both interventions produced RV reverse remodeling, with differential adaptation patterns between PEA and BPA as assessed by CMR-derived RV structural/functional metrics alongside invasive hemodynamics. These results support CMR-based monitoring of RV recovery to help refine comparative expectations for surgical versus catheter-based management of CTEPH.

Rodenburg TC, Higuchi S, Andersen S et al. · The European respiratory journal · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

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AI/LLM for Cardiac Imaging Interpretation

Glass-box agentic-style workflow for multiclass cine cardiac magnetic resonance imaging classification with a large language model.

This study developed and evaluated a glass-box, agentic-style LLM workflow for multiclass classification of cine cardiac MRI (bSSFP) using a pretrained nnU-Net segmentation pipeline and 17 extracted biomarkers. Using the Automated Cardiac Diagnosis Challenge training cohort (n=100; five diagnostic classes), the approach separated perception from reasoning to produce auditable diagnostic outputs and quantified performance robustness across LLM decoding temperatures and explanation fidelity/safety. Such an interpretable LLM-driven pipeline could improve trustworthy multiclass cine CMR interpretation in clinical imaging workflows.

Mese I, Kocak B · Diagnostic and interventional radiology (Ankara, Turkey) · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

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Generated automatically on May 12, 2026. Covers PubMed articles published May 05, 2026 – May 12, 2026. Summaries are AI-generated; always consult the original publication for clinical or research decisions.