What's New in Cardiac MRI? — May 19, 2026
AI-summarised digest of 58 PubMed articles on Cardiac MRI published in the last 7 days.
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What’s New in Cardiac MRI?
May 19, 2026 · 58 articles · 15 research themes · covering May 12, 2026 – May 19, 2026
Overview
Across this week’s set of papers, cardiac imaging—especially cardiac MRI (CMR)—continues to expand its role from diagnosis to risk stratification and longitudinal monitoring. Multiple studies and reviews emphasize CMR’s value in inflammatory and drug-related cardiac injury (notably immune checkpoint inhibitor myocarditis, with meta-analytic support for CMR and late gadolinium enhancement), in myocarditis/inflammatory cardiomyopathy frameworks, and in broader cardiometabolic and structural phenotyping (e.g., diastolic function across aging, post-stroke heart failure risk, and CMR-derived coupling indices in HFrEF). Several works also push toward earlier or more precise detection: serial CMR in ICI myocarditis, CPET to unmask subclinical cardiomyopathy in genetically at-risk relatives, and mobile/scale-ready CMR strategies for asymptomatic heart failure detection.
A second dominant theme is mechanistic targeting of heart failure and remodeling pathways. Trials and trial designs focus on modifiable substrates—myocardial fibrosis regression after TAVI, iron repletion in HFpEF (and mechanistic dyssynchrony effects in HFrEF with iron deficiency), and prognostic biomarkers tied to ventricular-atrial coupling. Relatedly, atrial cardiomyopathy is highlighted as a unifying framework linking atrial structural/electrophysiologic disease to stroke and heart failure, reinforcing a shift from AF-only thinking to earlier disease identification.
Finally, the digest reflects rapid growth in imaging technology and clinical safety workflows, alongside case-based lessons from rare cardiac presentations. Multiple papers develop or validate AI/ML and contrast-free approaches for CMR quantification (foundation models, synthetic MRI generation, radiomics from native T1 mapping, and standardized trabeculation pipelines). Meanwhile, case reports underscore diagnostic pitfalls and the need for multimodality imaging—intracardiac masses from hypereosinophilic disease, vascular/ECG-mimicking aneurysms, rare metastases, hydatid disease, and cardiotoxicity from cancer drugs or supplements—each reinforcing that timely, targeted evaluation can change management and outcomes.
Cardiac MRI & Echocardiography Biomarkers (Diagnosis/Prognosis)
Feasibility of Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Guided Pulmonary Artery Stenting in a Commercial Wide-Bore 0.55-T Scanner.
This preclinical feasibility study evaluated magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided pulmonary artery (PA) stenting in a commercial wide-bore 0.55-T MRI scanner using ferumoxytol-enhanced imaging in juvenile pigs. PA stent deployment was successful in 7 of 10 animals, with all successes occurring after switching from femoral to external jugular venous access, and real-time gradient-echo imaging provided adequate visualization for catheter navigation and stent deployment (details truncated). The results are significant because they support radiation-free, MRI-guided vascular intervention feasibility for complex PA procedures.
Liu Y, Kelly JM, Swinning J et al. · JACC. Basic to translational science · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Impact of formalin fixation on biventricular parameters in cardiac diffusion tensor imaging: A pilot study in a miniature swine model.
This pilot study examined how formalin fixation alters biventricular cardiac diffusion tensor imaging (cDTI) parameters in a miniature swine model, with histology (hematoxylin and eosin staining) used as the reference standard. After fixation, helix angle (HA) and HA transmurality metrics changed across myocardial segments (64 total: 48 LV, 16 RV), indicating fixation-dependent shifts in measured fiber-architecture indices. These findings are important for interpreting and harmonizing cDTI results when comparing ex-vivo or fixed-tissue studies to in-vivo cardiac microstructure.
Zhu L, Xu J, Cui C et al. · The international journal of cardiovascular imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Quantitative ventricular trabeculation assessment in cardiac MRI: optimised blood-pool segmentation, box-counting fractal analysis and non-fractal measurements.
This methodological study optimized an automated cardiac MRI workflow for quantitative ventricular trabeculation assessment using blood-pool segmentation, level-set segmentation, and box-counting fractal analysis, plus non-fractal boundary measurements. The key finding was that specific choices in box size, sampling, and rotation meaningfully affect fractal dimension (FD) estimates, and the authors provided a robust pipeline suitable for large-scale cohort analysis. Scientifically, it improves reproducibility and comparability of trabeculation quantification across studies and scanners.
Sedlacik J, McGurk KA, Tokarczuk PF et al. · The international journal of cardiovascular imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Canadian radiology: 2026 update.
This article is an update on Canadian radiology scholarship rather than a single experimental study, summarizing selected work across subspecialties including cardiothoracic imaging and cardiac magnetic resonance. The key finding is that Canadian research continues to advance technically sophisticated, clinically relevant imaging methods and guidance, including developments in cardiac MRI and cardiovascular imaging delivery. Scientifically, it serves as a curated overview to inform practitioners about current directions in imaging research and practice in Canada.
Kamran R, Buckley B, Costa AF et al. · Diagnostic and interventional imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
The effects of aging on left ventricular diastolic function evaluated with 4D flow MRI: a novel approach using mitral velocity and propagation velocity measurements.
This study evaluated how aging affects left ventricular diastolic function using 4D-flow MRI, deriving diastolic parameters such as mitral inflow velocity and propagation velocity (VP) and comparing them to transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) measures. The key finding was the characterization of age-related changes in LV filling dynamics in 60 healthy volunteers (ages 20–80) using both 4D-flow MRI and TTE-derived diastolic indices. Scientifically, it validates a novel MRI-based approach for quantifying diastolic function across the adult lifespan, potentially improving physiological assessment beyond conventional echocardiographic metrics.
Stipechi LV, Craiem D, Gencer U et al. · Physiological measurement · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor (ICI) Cardiotoxicity & Myocarditis
Diagnostic and prognostic parameters for immune checkpoint inhibitor-related myocarditis: A meta-analysis.
This meta-analysis evaluated diagnostic and prognostic parameters for immune checkpoint inhibitor-related myocarditis (ICI-M) across 29 trials including 3568 patients. Abnormal cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) findings were reported in 63.4% of ICI-M cases, with late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) in 65.3% (OR 5.32, 95% CI 1.61–17.50). These results support CMR—particularly LGE—as a key diagnostic marker and help clarify prognostic utility for ICI-M in patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors.
Lerchner T, Buehning F, Vogel J et al. · European journal of cancer (Oxford, England : 1990) · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Prospective Serial Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Myocarditis Correlates with Cardiovascular Outcomes.
This prospective study evaluated serial cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging in patients with immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) myocarditis versus pre-ICI controls, enrolling 62 patients and repeating CMR at baseline and 8–12 weeks. The key finding is that changes in CMR parameters over follow-up correlate with adverse cardiovascular outcomes (ACE), supporting serial CMR as a prognostic tool in ICI myocarditis. Clinically, it suggests that prospective monitoring with CMR can help stratify risk and potentially guide management in patients receiving ICIs.
Kwan JM, Khattab M, Tysarowski M et al. · Journal of cardiovascular magnetic resonance : official journal of the Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Dissecting the pathobiology of suspected sepsis through a comparative analysis of endothelial inflammatory and clinical prediction models.
This prospective cohort analysis studied suspected sepsis patients recruited from emergency departments across three teaching hospitals, comparing predictive models based on endothelial inflammatory biomarkers versus standard clinical data for outcomes of persistent vasopressor dependence and acute kidney injury (AKI). The key finding was a comparative assessment of which model class better predicts these sepsis complications, clarifying the incremental value of endothelial-inflammation biomarkers over clinical prediction. Scientifically, it informs sepsis risk stratification by identifying whether endothelial dysfunction–linked biomarkers improve prediction of organ failure and shock persistence.
Ningthoujam AS, Thiyagarajan G, Wani NA et al. · Scientific reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Inflammatory Cardiomyopathy & Myocarditis Spectrum (Non-ICI)
Inflammatory cardiomyopathy: Position paper of the Italian Society of Cardiology Working Group on cardiomyopathies and pericardial diseases in collaboration with the Italian Society of Cardiology Working Group on cardiac magnetic resonance.
This position paper from Italian cardiology working groups studied inflammatory cardiomyopathy (iCMP) within the myocarditis spectrum, focusing on its chronic hypokinetic phenotype and diagnostic approach in clinical practice. It reports that iCMP typically follows prior acute/subacute myocarditis, is associated with persistent myocardial inflammation, systolic dysfunction, adverse remodeling, and worse outcomes (including progression to dilated cardiomyopathy, heart failure, and arrhythmias), with a proposed two-hit model involving genetic susceptibility plus environmental triggers. The scientific significance is that iCMP should be diagnosed using a multimodal strategy and managed with recognition of its heterogeneous causes and higher long-term risk.
Imazio M, Jahnsen V, Merlo M et al. · International journal of cardiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Ventricular Tachycardia as the Initial Presentation of Tuberculous Myocarditis.
This case report studied a 47-year-old man with tuberculous myocarditis presenting initially with sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia. The key finding was that multimodal imaging showed extensive inflammatory nonischemic myocardial involvement with mediastinal lymphadenopathy, initial lymph node biopsy suggested nonnecrotizing granulomas (leading to probable cardiac sarcoidosis and corticosteroid initiation), and later lymph node culture identified Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The clinical significance is that tuberculosis can mimic cardiac sarcoidosis and present with ventricular arrhythmias, so definitive microbiologic testing is crucial before or alongside immunosuppression.
Subira-Ingla A, Francisco-Pascual J, Santos-Ortega A et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Cardiotoxicity from Cancer Therapy (Chemo/Targeted/Drug-Induced)
Superior anti-DLBCL efficacy of novel organic arsenical Z2-A-Z2 through ROS-mediated apoptosis and critical NF-κB/IκBα signaling pathway inhibition.
This preclinical study evaluated the novel organic arsenical Z2-A-Z2 in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), focusing on both GCB- and ABC-subtype cell lines and mechanistic effects on NF-κB signaling. Z2-A-Z2 showed superior anti-DLBCL efficacy by inducing ROS-mediated apoptosis and inhibiting the NF-κB/IκBα pathway (with apoptosis/ROS/mitochondrial membrane potential assessed by flow cytometry and pathway changes by Western blot; additional details truncated). This is scientifically significant because it suggests a targeted strategy to overcome NF-κB-driven therapy resistance in DLBCL.
Wei W, Ma Y, Liu Y et al. · Journal of experimental & clinical cancer research : CR · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Naïve CD4+ T-cells and disease status at CART infusion correlate with clinical outcomes in real-world large B-cell lymphoma patients receiving second-line CAR T therapy.
This real-world retrospective analysis studied whether naïve CD4+ T-cell characteristics and disease status at the time of CAR T infusion predict outcomes in 64 patients with large B-cell lymphoma receiving second-line commercial CAR T therapy (axi-cabtagene ciloleucel [axi-cel] or lisocabtagene maraleucel [liso-cel]). The key finding was that naïve CD4+ T-cell features and whether patients had primary refractory or progressive disease at infusion correlated with response and clinical outcomes, with worse outcomes for progressive disease at infusion. Scientifically and clinically, it supports using baseline immunophenotyping (naïve CD4+ T-cells) and disease status to refine prognostication for second-line CAR T in real-world practice.
Schneider M, Paruzzo L, Stella F et al. · Nature communications · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Fluoropyrimidine Cardiotoxicity With Overlapping Vasospastic and Pericardial Features: A Diagnostic Challenge.
This case report described fluoropyrimidine cardiotoxicity with overlapping vasospastic and pericardial features in a 57-year-old man with HER2-positive gastric cancer receiving FOLFOX-6M plus trastuzumab. The key finding was that during 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) infusion he developed severe chest pain with ECG changes and QTc prolongation despite negative biomarkers, followed by later concave ST-segment elevation consistent with a complex cardiotoxic presentation. Clinically, it underscores the diagnostic challenge of fluoropyrimidine-induced coronary spasm and/or pericardial involvement and the need for careful multimodal evaluation even when initial biomarkers are negative.
Viñas-Mendieta AE, Valencia-Hernandez HA, Ruiz-Mori E et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Myopericarditis After Combined Idarubicin and Quizartinib in FLT3-ITD-Positive AML.
This JACC Case Reports article studied a 64-year-old man with FLT3-ITD–positive acute myelogenous leukemia who developed myopericarditis after sequential anthracycline-based therapy (cytarabine and idarubicin) followed by quizartinib. The key finding was that cardiac MRI showed late gadolinium enhancement consistent with myopericarditis in the setting of fever, hypotension, troponin I elevation, and diffuse ST-segment elevation after quizartinib. The clinical significance is heightened awareness of potential cardiotoxic synergy or heightened risk when combining anthracyclines with FLT3 inhibition in AML patients.
Spahr ZR, Vasquez MA, Tangella A et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Unexplained Supraventricular Tachycardia and Myocardial Injury After Bitter Orange Supplement Use in a Young Woman.
This case report studied a 38-year-old woman who developed unexplained supraventricular tachycardia and myocardial injury after using a weight-loss supplement containing bitter orange (Citrus aurantium; p-synephrine). She had adenosine-terminated supraventricular tachycardia with a marked rise in high-sensitivity troponin I (17.9 to 1,395.7 ng/L), consistent with acute myocardial injury after sympathomimetic exposure. The report highlights that p-synephrine–containing supplements can precipitate clinically significant arrhythmias and myocardial injury, supporting prompt ECG/troponin evaluation after such supplement use.
Plaitis A, Grigoraki E, Karakosta M et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Rapid Onset of Iron Overload Cardiomyopathy in Cirrhosis.
This case report studied two men with cirrhosis who developed iron overload cardiomyopathy (IOC) without hereditary hemochromatosis or transfusion-dependent anemia. The key finding was rapid onset of severe cardiomyopathy in both patients, with markedly reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (e.g., 23% in one patient) occurring despite the absence of classic IOC risk factors. This is significant because it highlights that cirrhosis can precipitate IOC and supports earlier recognition and evaluation of iron overload in new heart failure among cirrhosis patients.
Nouraee CM, Swain WH, Harmon DM et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Cardiac Masses, Tumors, and Metastases (Imaging-Guided)
Cardiac tumour in paediatrics: the role of multimodal imaging and therapeutic catheterisation.
This case report studied a 14-year-old male with a cardiac mass initially misdiagnosed as asymmetric septal hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, using multimodal imaging (echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging) and therapeutic catheterisation planning. Imaging identified a highly vascular interventricular septal tumour (35.7×39.4 mm) with central vascularisation and a severe right ventricular outflow tract obstructive gradient (112 mmHg), with cardiac MRI showing high signal on HASTE/T1/T2 and a markedly elevated extracellular volume (67%). The report highlights how multimodal CMR/echo characterization of vascularity and extracellular volume can refine diagnosis and guide catheter-based management in paediatric cardiac tumours.
Trujeque L, Hernandez K, Tavera A · Cardiology in the young · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Massive cardiac echinococcosis.
This article reviewed and illustrated massive cardiac echinococcosis, describing a rare manifestation of systemic hydatid disease in a clinical case using multimodal imaging (chest radiograph, CT, and cardiac MRI). The key finding was the presence of imaging features consistent with extensive cardiac hydatid involvement, despite atypical symptoms such as chest pain or breathlessness. Clinically, the report highlights the diagnostic value of CT and cardiac MRI for recognizing uncommon but potentially life-threatening cardiac echinococcosis.
Rai P, Aswani Y · The international journal of cardiovascular imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Giant Postischemic Left Ventricular Aneurysm Without Q Waves: Multimodality Imaging-Guided Surgery.
This JACC Case Reports article studied a 55-year-old woman with inferolateral myocardial infarction who developed a giant postischemic left ventricular aneurysm without Q waves. The key finding was that despite absent pathological Q waves, multimodality imaging demonstrated progressive left ventricular remodeling with aneurysmal evolution and mural thrombus formation, guiding surgery. The clinical significance is that nonanterior aneurysms can be misleading on ECG, so multimodality imaging is crucial for timely diagnosis and operative planning.
Gaido L, Attisani M, Scalini F et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Epicardial Fat Necrosis as a Rare Cause of Chest Pain: Peeling Back the Layers.
This JACC case report studied two patients presenting with acute severe chest pain due to epicardial fat necrosis (EFN). The key finding was that CT imaging showed characteristic EFN features with elevated inflammatory markers (e.g., D-dimer and C-reactive protein) but normal troponin, and both cases resolved with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug therapy. The clinical significance is that recognizing EFN can prevent misdiagnosis as myocardial infarction, pulmonary embolism, or pericarditis and supports appropriate conservative treatment.
Da Silva E, Chow B, Paterson DI et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Right Ventricular Metastasis From Rectal Cancer Recurrence.
This case report studied a 55-year-old man with recurrent rectal adenocarcinoma (in the setting of ulcerative colitis) who developed a right ventricular metastasis. The key finding was that multimodality imaging identified a large right ventricular free-wall mass with endoluminal growth and late enhancement on cardiac magnetic resonance, and intracardiac echocardiography-guided endomyocardial biopsy was used to establish diagnosis. This is significant because it demonstrates how advanced imaging plus targeted biopsy can diagnose rare cardiac metastasis when extracardiac disease is not yet evident.
Vilela M, Cazeiro D, Ferreira D et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Inferior Vena Cava Stenosis Mimicking Right Heart Failure in Carcinoid Heart Disease.
This case report studied two patients with advanced carcinoid heart disease who developed right-heart failure–like symptoms due to inferior vena cava (IVC) stenosis. The key finding was that serotonin-mediated fibrosis extended beyond typical right-sided valvular involvement to the venous endothelium, producing venous outflow obstruction that mimicked cardiac decompensation. The clinical significance is that clinicians should consider IVC/venous obstruction in carcinoid heart disease when the presentation is atypical for isolated valvular dysfunction.
Vila-Sanjuán S, Vallejo N, Martí-Aguasca G et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Hypereosinophilic endocarditis presenting with intracardiac mass and severe mitral regurgitation: a case report of FIP1L1-PDGFRA positive myeloid neoplasm.
This case report studied a 28-year-old man with hypereosinophilic Loeffler’s endocarditis presenting as an intracardiac mass on the mitral valve with severe mitral regurgitation, using echocardiography, cardiac MRI, bone marrow evaluation, and molecular testing. The workup identified the FIP1L1–PDGFRA fusion in a myeloid neoplasm, with imaging showing subendocardial fibrosis and a mobile 24×15 mm mass attached to the mitral valve. Clinically, it highlights that FIP1L1–PDGFRA–positive hypereosinophilic disease can manifest as intracardiac mass lesions and severe valvular dysfunction, supporting urgent targeted hematologic diagnosis and management.
Rao NS, Biswas A, Kothari SS et al. · European heart journal. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Valvular Heart Disease & Post-Intervention Remodeling (AS/AR/Ross/TAVI)
Left Ventricular Rehabilitation after Ross operation for Critical Aortic Stenosis with Endocardial Fibroelastosis.
This study evaluated long-term clinical and functional outcomes after Ross operation in infants and neonates with critical aortic stenosis, comparing patients with and without endocardial fibroelastosis (EFE) and focusing on left ventricular (LV) rehabilitation. The key finding was that LV functional recovery and longer-term outcomes differed by EFE presence, indicating EFE modifies post-Ross ventricular performance trajectories. Clinically, it informs risk stratification and follow-up planning for children undergoing early Ross procedures for congenital critical aortic stenosis complicated by EFE.
Jacob KA, Korsuize NA, van Wijk A et al. · The Journal of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Contemporary Overview of Aortic Regurgitation in Young Individuals: Insights From Real-Life Evidence.
This review studied real-world evidence on aortic regurgitation (AR) in young adults aged 18–44 years, emphasizing diagnostic pitfalls and how prognosis depends on severity, etiology, early left ventricular dysfunction, and intervention strategy. The key finding is that AR in young individuals is frequently under- or misdiagnosed and is not always benign, with emerging data proposing updated echocardiographic thresholds for left ventricular structural/functional assessment to guide timing of surgery. Clinically, it reinforces the need for prompt, multimodality evaluation and timely treatment decisions in young patients with chronic AR.
Sozzi FB, Gamberini G, Kim JK et al. · Journal of the American Heart Association · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Effect of anti-fibrotic therapy on regression of myocardial fibrosis after TAVI: Design and rationale of the Reduce-MFA DZHK25 trial.
This trial design and rationale described the Reduce-MFA DZHK25 randomized, open-label, multicenter study testing anti-fibrotic therapy to promote regression of aortic stenosis–induced myocardial fibrosis after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) in patients with high baseline fibrotic burden. The key finding (as a design rationale) is that the primary objective is to assess myocardial fibrosis regression, with secondary endpoints including left ventricular reverse remodeling, symptom improvement, and reductions in mortality and cardiac hospitalizations. Scientifically and clinically, it targets myocardial fibrosis as a modifiable mechanism driving post-TAVI heart failure risk.
Puls M, Zeisberg EM, Placzek M et al. · ESC heart failure · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Atrial Cardiomyopathy, AF Risk, and Stroke/Heart Failure Links
Atrial Cardiomyopathy: A Cardiologist’s Guide to Stroke, Heart Failure, and Arrhythmias.
This narrative review studied the concept of atrial cardiomyopathy as a unifying framework for atrial structural, architectural, contractile, and electrophysiological abnormalities, emphasizing its relationship to stroke, heart failure, and arrhythmias. The key finding was that atrial cardiomyopathy often precedes atrial fibrillation and independently predicts adverse outcomes such as ischemic stroke and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. Clinically, it reframes risk assessment and research targets beyond AF alone, supporting earlier identification of atrial disease processes like fibrosis and inflammation.
Niazi M, Akram MB, Chaudhary AS et al. · Cardiology in review · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Coronary Microvascular Dysfunction & Ischemia Assessment
Integrating Anatomy and Ischemia in Chest Pain Evaluation.
This review studied how to integrate anatomic and physiologic assessment for chest pain evaluation using noninvasive and invasive coronary testing strategies in patients with suspected coronary artery disease. It highlights coronary CT angiography with or without CT-derived fractional flow reserve and functional imaging (e.g., stress echocardiography, PET myocardial blood flow/flow reserve, and stress CMR) for triage and characterization, alongside invasive coronary angiography with physiology (FFR/iFR) and intravascular imaging (IVUS/OCT). The clinical significance is improved risk stratification and more precise selection of patients for downstream management by combining anatomy and ischemia.
Tiotsop M, Salabei JK · The American journal of cardiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Bilateral Coronary Artery-to-Pulmonary Artery Fistula Treated Using Minimally Invasive Coils and Vascular Embolization Devices.
This case report studied a 44-year-old woman with bilateral coronary artery-to-pulmonary artery fistulas (CAPFs) causing exertional dyspnea. The key finding was that stress cardiac magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated myocardial ischemia despite a near-normal Qp/Qs ratio (1.08), and the fistulas were successfully treated using minimally invasive pulmonary-artery-side outflow embolization with a vascular occlusion device followed by coil embolization of coronary inflow sites. This is significant because it shows that ischemia assessment can guide intervention in CAPF and that combined embolization strategies can be effective.
Takagi R, Irita J, Akazawa Y et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Randomized Controlled Trial of Vericiguat in Patients with Coronary Microvascular Dysfunction causing Stable Chest Pain (V-COM): Study Protocol for a Randomised Control Trial.
This study protocol planned a randomized controlled trial of vericiguat, a soluble guanylate cyclase stimulator, in patients with coronary microvascular dysfunction causing stable chest pain (V-COM), using quantitative stress cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) to measure stress myocardial blood flow and myocardial perfusion reserve. The key aim is to test whether vericiguat improves coronary microvascular circulation as quantified by CMR-derived perfusion metrics in this INOCA population. If successful, it would provide trial-level evidence for a pharmacologic therapy for CMD using objective CMR biomarkers rather than relying on obstructive CAD status.
Lo CK, Ip NH, Sin TH et al. · Journal of cardiovascular magnetic resonance : official journal of the Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Heart Failure Phenotyping, Prognosis & Iron Deficiency (HFpEF/HFrEF)
Intravenous IRON supplementation in Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction and iron deficiency (IRON-HFpEF): a comprehensive phase II multicentre placebo-controlled randomised clinical trial.
This phase II multicentre, placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial studied intravenous ferric carboxymaltose versus placebo in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and iron deficiency (IRON-HFpEF), excluding those with iron deficiency anaemia. The trial’s key mechanistic focus was to assess how IV iron affects cardiovascular function and exercise tolerance using comprehensive assessments including exercise right heart catheterization, 6-minute walking distance, and cardiac MRI (with additional exercise calf muscle 31P-magnetic resonance spectroscopy; results truncated). The study is clinically significant because it tests whether correcting iron deficiency can improve functional and physiological endpoints in HFpEF, a group with limited effective therapies.
van de Bovenkamp AA, Nassiri S, de Man FS et al. · European journal of heart failure · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Design and Rationale of the WE-CARE-HF-CMR Trial: Cardiorenal Care on Wheels for Asymptomatic Heart Failure Patients (NCT07185100).
This paper presents the design and rationale for the WE-CARE-HF-CMR trial, which will use mobile cardiac MRI to detect subclinical myocardial dysfunction in asymptomatic heart failure patients (NCT07185100), building on prior rural Germany data where GLS-defined pre-HF was common. The key finding (as a study rationale) is that left ventricular global longitudinal strain (GLS) may identify stage B heart failure earlier than conventional metrics like left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and the trial aims to quantify prevalence and outcomes in urban populations. This is significant because it tests a scalable, imaging-based strategy for earlier intervention in a population where asymptomatic HF prevalence is currently uncertain.
Li JJ, Thiede G, Götze C et al. · Journal of cardiovascular magnetic resonance : official journal of the Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Prevalence and Recovery of Arrhythmia-Induced Cardiomyopathy in Patients With Newly Diagnosed Heart Failure Using a Wearable Defibrillator: A Real-World Cohort Study.
This real-world cohort study assessed the prevalence, recovery, and predictors of arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy (AIC) in patients with newly diagnosed heart failure using a wearable cardioverter-defibrillator (WCD). The key finding was that among 780 WCD-treated patients (2017–2023), those with idiopathic LV systolic dysfunction (LVEF <35%) plus persistent arrhythmia (atrial fibrillation/flutter or >20% ventricular ectopy) could be identified for AIC risk and potential reversibility under early rhythm control. This is significant because it provides practical estimates of how often AIC occurs and how outcomes may improve when arrhythmias are treated promptly in routine care.
Yogarajah J, Dannebaum J, Halim A et al. · Journal of cardiovascular electrophysiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Role of dyssynchrony in short-term left ventricular systolic function after iron repletion in patients with heart failure.
This subanalysis of the Myocardial-IRON trial studied whether intravenous iron repletion with ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) affects short-term left ventricular systolic dyssynchrony in patients with heart failure (LVEF <50%) and iron deficiency. Using the longitudinal systolic dyssynchrony index (L-SDI) derived from cardiac magnetic resonance feature tracking (CMR-FT), the study evaluated short-term changes after iron repletion and explored associations with the response to therapy. The scientific significance is clarifying a potential mechanistic link between iron repletion and improved ventricular synchrony that may influence HF outcomes and CRT responsiveness.
Del Canto I, Miñana G, Cardells I et al. · Communications medicine · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Cardiac magnetic resonance-derived left atrioventricular coupling index predicts outcome in reduced ejection fraction.
This multicenter registry study evaluated whether a cardiac magnetic resonance–derived left atrioventricular coupling index (LACI) predicts outcomes in patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction (LVEF <50%) from the DERIVATE registry. The key finding is that LACI, calculated as the ratio of left atrial to left ventricular end-diastolic volumes, is associated with risk of all-cause mortality and heart failure outcomes in this population using Cox regression models. Clinically, it supports LACI as a CMR-based prognostic biomarker that may improve risk stratification in reduced ejection fraction heart failure.
Guglielmo M, Fedele D, Bergamaschi L et al. · ESC heart failure · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Multimodality Imaging in Myocarditis: Integrating Etiology, Diagnosis, and Risk Stratification.
This review studied how multimodality cardiac imaging can be used to diagnose, phenotype, and risk-stratify myocarditis in clinical practice. It found that cardiac magnetic resonance (including parametric mapping and updated Lake Louise Criteria) improves diagnostic sensitivity and prognostic stratification, while echocardiographic strain detects subclinical dysfunction. The proposed imaging integration pathway is clinically significant because it can reduce reliance on limited endomyocardial biopsy and improve longitudinal management of myocarditis.
Debs D, Rushworth P, Liu J et al. · Current cardiology reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Cardiac Imaging AI/ML & Synthetic/Automated CMR Workflows
A composable multimodal framework for cine CMR-text-driven prediction of heart failure outcomes.
This study developed and evaluated a composable multimodal framework for cine cardiac MRI (CMR) text-driven prediction of heart failure outcomes. The key finding was that the proposed multimodal strategy can improve outcome prediction by integrating multiple data modalities for more holistic assessment (method and performance details are truncated in the abstract). This is scientifically significant because it advances AI/CMR pipelines that could support more personalized heart failure prognosis and treatment optimization.
Chen J, Sun J, Wang X et al. · Physiological measurement · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
CardioSynth: Parameter-driven cardiac MRI generation via oriented bounding boxes.
This study developed CardioSynth, a parameter-driven synthetic cardiac MRI generation framework using oriented bounding boxes to control cardiac substructure areas. The key finding is that representing each cardiac substructure as oriented bounding boxes enables structured, plausible anatomical modifications while preserving anatomical plausibility during area manipulation. This is significant for research and potentially routine monitoring workflows by enabling controllable, contrast-free synthetic cardiac MRI without requiring repeated expensive scans.
Banerjee S, Mazumder O, Sinha A · Computer methods and programs in biomedicine · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
High-precision brain tumor segmentation with switchable normalization in faster R-CNN architecture.
This study investigated a switchable normalization–based Faster R-CNN framework (SNFRC) for high-precision brain tumor segmentation from multimodal MRI in order to handle intensity and protocol heterogeneity. The key finding is that incorporating switchable normalization into the region proposal network (RPN) improves feature consistency across heterogeneous data and supports a detection-based segmentation strategy for accurate tumor localization and masking. The clinical significance is more robust automated segmentation of irregular small tumors, which can improve downstream radiotherapy planning and quantitative imaging.
Kumar DR, Reddy PV, Mohammad H et al. · Scientific reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Development and validation of a versatile foundation model for cine cardiac magnetic resonance image analysis.
This study developed and validated CineMA, a versatile foundation model for cine cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) image analysis, trained on 15 million cine CMR images from 74,916 studies. The key finding is that a multi-view conv-transformer masked autoencoder approach can be fine-tuned across eight independent datasets for tasks such as segmentation and landmark localization with improved efficiency and reproducibility compared with task-specific models. Scientifically, it advances scalable, less label-intensive deep learning for CMR quantification, potentially reducing time and variability in clinical image analysis.
Fu Y, Bai W, Yi W et al. · Communications medicine · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Navigating the Zero Fluoroscopy Frontier: Current Tools, Evidence and Future Directions in Electrophysiology Procedures.
This review studied current and emerging zero-fluoroscopy (ZF) approaches for electrophysiology (EP) ablation procedures, focusing on tools such as electroanatomic mapping systems, transesophageal/intracardiac echocardiography, visualizable sheaths, contact-force sensing catheters, integrated preprocedural imaging, and real-time cardiac magnetic resonance guidance. The key finding was that an expanding evidence base supports adopting ZF protocols to reduce radiation exposure while maintaining procedural guidance. Clinically, it provides a roadmap for EP teams to implement safer radiation-minimizing workflows using specific imaging and sensing technologies.
Kotzadamis D, Giannopoulos G, Schismenos V et al. · Pacing and clinical electrophysiology : PACE · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Radiomics & Contrast-Free CMR Techniques
Radiomics with native T1 mapping for contrast-free detection of acute and chronic myocardial infarction: A multicenter study.
This multicenter retrospective study evaluated native T1 mapping–based radiomics models for contrast-free detection of myocardial infarction (MI) and differentiation of acute versus chronic lesions in 310 MI patients (162 acute, 148 chronic) and 180 controls. Using 3.0T CMR native T1 mapping and LGE for reference, the authors extracted radiomics features from manual ROIs and built two models (MI diagnosis and acute/chronic differentiation), with external validation for the acute/chronic model. The clinical significance is a non-contrast CMR approach that could improve MI characterization while reducing reliance on gadolinium-based imaging.
Li S, Huo H, Zheng Y et al. · International journal of cardiology · (2026) · 1 citations · View on PubMed ↗
Congenital/Genetic Cardiomyopathies & Inherited Risk (including HCM/DCM/FRDA)
Epidemiology of non-ischaemic dilated cardiomyopathy.
This narrative review studied the epidemiology of non-ischaemic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), synthesizing evidence on prevalence, sex differences, and the role of cardiac MRI and emerging genetic technologies. The key finding was that non-ischaemic DCM is more common than previously thought, with current prevalence around 1 in 220 based on cardiac MRI studies and about twice the prevalence in men than women (with potentially higher true prevalence when subclinical disease is included). This is significant for clinical practice because it reframes disease burden and underscores the importance of genetic and early detection approaches in DCM.
Ramos-López N, Domínguez F, Ochoa JP et al. · Nature reviews. Cardiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
High-Sensitivity Cardiac Troponin in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: Diagnostic Insights and Future Directions.
This narrative review synthesized observational cohort, mechanistic, and longitudinal evidence on high-sensitivity cardiac troponin (hs-cTn) in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). The key finding is that hs-cTn reflects myocardial stress in HCM with characteristic patterns of elevation and associations with imaging and clinical outcomes, suggesting utility beyond traditional risk assessment. This is significant because it frames how hs-cTn could improve phenotypic characterization and severity stratification in HCM.
Hassan A, Mizori R, Malik A et al. · Cardiology in review · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Unmasking subclinical cardiomyopathy: The role of cardiopulmonary exercise testing when screening genotype-positive phenotype negative relatives.
This single-center case series studied whether cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) can unmask subclinical cardiomyopathy in gene-positive, phenotype-negative (G+P−) relatives identified through cascade testing in families with likely/definite pathogenic cardiomyopathy variants. The key finding (as framed by the study design) is that CPET may detect abnormalities not seen on conventional screening, prompting comparison against extensive phenotyping including ECG, echocardiography, Holter monitoring, and cardiac MRI. The clinical significance is that CPET could refine surveillance strategies for at-risk relatives who appear normal on standard tests.
Abela M, Scicluna J, Debattista J et al. · International journal of cardiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Malignant Mitral Valve Prolapse With Life-Threatening Ventricular Arrhythmias: A Multidisciplinary Team-Guided Stepwise Management.
This case report studied a 45-year-old woman with bileaflet myxomatous mitral valve prolapse and mitral annular disjunction who developed recurrent polymorphic ventricular tachycardia progressing to life-threatening ventricular fibrillation despite medical therapy and multiple ICD shocks. The key finding is that malignant, imminently arrhythmogenic MVP can occur even without severe mitral regurgitation and without detectable myocardial fibrosis on cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, implying that electrical and mechanical risk markers together may identify high-risk patients. Clinically, it supports multidisciplinary, stepwise risk stratification and management for MVP patients who may be at sudden cardiac death risk despite “low-risk” imaging features.
Javadi N, Jahangir A, Galazka P et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Today: Integrating Myosin Inhibition with Established Strategies.
This narrative review studied contemporary hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) management by integrating imaging, genetics, and therapeutics, with particular emphasis on cardiac myosin inhibitors (mavacamten and aficamten) alongside established strategies. The key finding is that individualized care for obstructive versus nonobstructive HCM can be improved by combining multimodality imaging and risk stratification with trial-supported myosin inhibition. Scientifically, it consolidates current evidence to guide modern diagnostic and treatment pathways in HCM patients.
Seçkin Ö, Ünlü S · Current cardiology reviews · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Pharmacological treatments for Friedreich ataxia.
This Cochrane systematic review evaluated pharmacological treatments for Friedreich ataxia (FRDA) in people with the autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disorder, focusing on interventions relevant to neurological and systemic outcomes including cardiomyopathy. The key finding was the synthesis of available evidence on treatment effects across FRDA, addressing the current state of pharmacologic benefit and limitations in the literature. Clinically, it supports evidence-based decision-making and highlights gaps where better therapies are needed given FRDA’s high burden of cardiac morbidity and premature death.
Lyons S, Kearney M, Fahey MC et al. · The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Exercise, Physiologic Stress & Cardiovascular Consequences
From Healthy to Heart Failure in 24 Hours: Defining the upper limit of exercise induced cardiac fatigue.
This study examined the cardiac consequences of 12- and 24-hour intense cycling in a former professional ultra-endurance athlete using echocardiography, rest and exercise cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), and biomarkers (BNP and cardiac troponin-I). It found that after the 12-hour attempt the athlete was physically exhausted without significant evidence of cardiac injury, whereas the 24-hour attempt defined the upper limit for exercise-induced cardiac fatigue with measurable changes captured by imaging and biomarkers. The scientific significance is that it provides a physiology-based benchmark for when prolonged extreme endurance exercise may begin to produce clinically relevant cardiac stress.
Foulkes SJ, Anderson M, Janssens K et al. · Journal of applied physiology (Bethesda, Md. : 1985) · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Epidemiology, Public Health & Risk Factors (including aging, preterm, metabolic, ACEs)
Trends and Projections for Aortic Stenosis and Hypertension-Related Mortality Among Older Adults in the United States: A Retrospective Population-Based Analysis.
This retrospective, population-based analysis studied trends in aortic stenosis (AS) and hypertension (HTN)-related mortality among older adults in the United States from 1999–2020 using CDC WONDER multiple-cause-of-death data. The key finding was that comorbid AS and HTN were associated with distinct mortality trends and projected future burden to 2030 using an ARIMA model (details truncated in the abstract). These findings are clinically significant for risk stratification and public-health planning in ageing populations where AS and HTN frequently co-exist.
Bhatti MI, Safiullah M, Farhan K et al. · High blood pressure & cardiovascular prevention : the official journal of the Italian Society of Hypertension · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Associations of Metabolic Phenotypes with Cardiac Structure and Clinical Outcomes: Insights from the UK Biobank.
This prospective UK Biobank study examined how metabolic phenotypes (metabolically healthy nonobese vs obese; metabolically unhealthy nonobese vs obese) relate to cardiac structure measured by cardiac MRI and to subsequent clinical outcomes over a median 5.1-year follow-up. The key finding was that metabolic phenotype categories were associated with differences in cardiac MRI measures and downstream clinical risk (specific effect estimates are truncated in the abstract). The results are significant because they support using combined obesity–metabolic status phenotyping with CMR to better predict cardiovascular risk beyond BMI alone.
Bogner B, Jung M, Reisert M et al. · The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism · (2026) · 1 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Determining adverse childhood experiences and their association with substance use among young adults in universities and colleges in Mombasa County, Kenya.
This analytical cross-sectional study investigated associations between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and substance use (alcohol, tobacco products, and illicit drugs) among 849 young adults sampled from universities/colleges in Mombasa County, Kenya. The key finding was that ACE exposure was associated with higher likelihood of substance use in this population (the specific prevalence/odds ratios are truncated in the abstract). The findings are clinically and public-health significant because they support ACE-informed prevention and screening interventions to reduce substance use risk in young adults.
Odero M, Kihoro RW, Mbogo PW et al. · Substance abuse treatment, prevention, and policy · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Subclinical Origins of Cardiometabolic Risk in Indian Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Study.
This cross-sectional study measured cardiometabolic risk factors in apparently healthy Indian adolescents (11–16 years) and examined associations with body fat and hepatic fat. Using MRI proton density fat fraction (PDFF) on a 3.0 T system for hepatic fat and DXA for whole-body fat, the key finding was that cardiometabolic risk factors were present in a substantial fraction of adolescents and were associated with fat measures (specific statistics are truncated in the abstract). The findings are significant because they suggest early, subclinical cardiometabolic risk linked to hepatic and overall adiposity can be detected in adolescence.
Hegde SG, Kankara SR, Raj JM et al. · Indian pediatrics · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Blood cell traits on cardiovascular morpho-functional phenotypes: evidence from Mendelian randomization analysis.
This 2-sample Mendelian randomization study assessed causal relationships between 15 blood cell traits and 100 cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) structural and functional phenotypes using genetic instruments from genome-wide association studies. The key finding was evidence for specific causal links between genetically predicted red/white blood cell and platelet traits and distinct CMR-derived measures of cardiac chamber and aortic segment structure and function. Scientifically, it supports a genetically grounded role for hematologic traits in cardiovascular remodeling and provides candidate biomarkers/endophenotypes for future mechanistic work.
Li M, Zhu H, Shen L et al. · Medicine · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Structural and Functional Abnormalities in the Preterm Heart: From Development to Adulthood.
This review studied how preterm birth affects cardiac structure and function from infancy through adulthood, focusing on mechanisms such as altered oxygen exposure, disrupted cellular architecture, extracellular matrix remodeling, cardiomyocyte mitochondrial dysfunction, immature sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum, and increased procedural stress. The key finding is that even when the preterm heart is structurally normal at birth, these developmental insults increase later cardiovascular disease risk. Scientifically and clinically, it supports heightened long-term surveillance and motivates mechanistic research to identify modifiable pathways in the preterm population.
Zegelbone P, Young K, Hughes F et al. · Journal of the American Heart Association · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Smaller coronary artery size in adults born preterm.
This study investigated whether adults born preterm have smaller coronary arteries than those born at term using 1.5T cardiac MRI. The key finding is that coronary artery size—measured by 3D bSSFP coronary magnetic resonance angiography of the left main (LM), left anterior descending (LAD), and right coronary artery (RCA)—is reduced in adults born preterm. Clinically, it provides imaging evidence for a structural substrate that may contribute to increased ischemic heart disease risk in the preterm-born adult population.
Barton GP, Sharma K, Hussain T et al. · Pediatric research · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Characterisation of Incident Heart Failure after Ischaemic Stroke/Transient Ischaemic Attack: A UK Biobank Study.
This UK Biobank prospective cohort study evaluated incident heart failure risk after ischaemic stroke/transient ischaemic attack (TIA) in adults aged 40–69 years and characterized associated CMR findings. The key finding was that stroke/TIA survivors had measurable risk of subsequent incident heart failure (defined by hospital-coded admissions), and CMR was used to describe underlying cardiac abnormalities linked to this risk. This is clinically significant because it helps quantify post-stroke HF risk and supports CMR-based phenotyping for improved surveillance and risk stratification.
Muthalaly RG, Nerlekar N, Tan S et al. · ESC heart failure · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Analyte-templated aggregate remodeling for broad-spectrum visual screening of synthetic cannabinoids.
This paper studied an analyte-templated aggregate remodeling optical sensing strategy for broad-spectrum visual screening of synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) using an AIE-active coumarin-naphthalimide dyad (NAP-CMR). The key finding was that SCs act as structural templates to reorganize weakly emissive aggregate-associated states into a restored radiative ICT-like emission, producing a high-contrast optical readout in aqueous methanol. This is significant for public-health and forensic applications because it offers a field-deployable approach to detect chemically diverse SCs despite their structural variability.
Tao F, Yisimayili N, Zhao C et al. · Talanta · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Generated automatically on May 19, 2026. Covers PubMed articles published May 12, 2026 – May 19, 2026. Summaries are AI-generated; always consult the original publication for clinical or research decisions.