What's New in Cardiac MRI? — May 24, 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 24, 2026 · 58 articles · 15 research themes · covering May 17, 2026 – May 24, 2026
Overview
This week’s digest is dominated by a clear convergence around cardiac MRI as a central “tissue-and-phenotype” platform—paired with advances in automation, standardization, and multimodal integration. Multiple studies and reviews emphasize moving beyond single-threshold metrics (e.g., LVEF or infarct size) toward richer CMR-derived patterns: diffuse myocardial fibrosis in aortic stenosis, NIM characterization after MI, remodeling phenotypes after STEMI, and prognostic CMR features in end-stage HCM. Parallel method papers tackle the practical bottlenecks of scaling CMR (annotation-free ROI localization, ultrafast 3D protocols in adolescents, native T1 mapping standardization, and external validation of AI quantification), while AI-focused work (including CMR-CLIP and CMR-pretrained embeddings) aims to reduce annotation burden and enable zero-shot or report-informed decision support.
A second major theme is earlier and more precise diagnosis of “hard-to-catch” cardiac disease using multimodality imaging and better risk stratification. Reviews and studies focus on inflammatory cardiomyopathies (myocarditis, cardiac sarcoidosis, endocarditis/pericarditis, eosinophilic heart disease, Chagas), highlighting how modality choice (echo vs CMR vs FDG-PET/CT vs CT) maps to the underlying pathology. In parallel, clinical pathways for suspected acute coronary syndrome and microvascular injury leverage rapid, layer-resolved CMR strain and invasive hemodynamic proxies during occlusion to detect injury earlier than conventional post-reperfusion indices. Finally, several reports extend the imaging frontier to complex cardiac masses and metastases (NET metastases, glomangioma, myxoma, fistulas), where integrated PET/CT, CMR, and echocardiography can prevent misclassification and guide targeted interventions.
Across these domains, the translational arc is reinforced by biomarker and cardiometabolic risk studies (e.g., sST2 in inflammatory myopathies; insulin resistance linking to fibrosis and HF risk; metabolically healthy/unhealthy obesity phenotypes) and by preclinical/therapeutic signals (MRI-guided vascular intervention feasibility; GLP-1 receptor agonism in PAH/CTEPH; iron repletion trial design in HFpEF). Together, the set points toward a future where imaging, AI, biomarkers, and clinical data are integrated to detect disease earlier, characterize mechanisms more directly, and stratify risk with greater granularity.
Multimodal AI for Cardiac Diagnosis & Risk Stratification
Contrastive language image pretraining for a cardiac magnetic resonance image embedding with zero-shot capabilities.
The study developed and evaluated CMR-contrastive language image pretraining (CMR-CLIP), a vision-language model trained on cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) studies paired with associated radiology reports, using 11,028 single-center studies. CMR-CLIP learned joint image–text embeddings by treating CMR images as videos and demonstrated zero-shot capabilities for CMR-related tasks without requiring task-specific labeled data. This approach could reduce annotation burden for CMR interpretation and enable more scalable, report-informed retrieval and decision support in cardiac imaging workflows.
Nakashima M, Qiu J, Huang P et al. · Nature communications · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Multimodal Artificial Intelligence for Early Detection and Precision Management of Inflammatory and Infiltrative Cardiomyopathies.
This review studied how multimodal artificial intelligence could enable earlier detection and precision management of inflammatory and infiltrative cardiomyopathies (including cardiac sarcoidosis, transthyretin amyloidosis, and autoimmune myocarditis) by integrating ECG, echocardiography, cardiac MRI (CMR), PET/scintigraphy, biomarkers, and electronic health record (EHR) features. It found that AI could improve diagnostic suspicion, tissue-based phenotyping, and risk-directed triage compared with conventional multimodality imaging interpretation that is often delayed and complex. The clinical significance is earlier, more accurate identification of these underrecognized cardiomyopathies to support timely, targeted management and risk stratification.
Adrejiya P, Alkhatib DA, Aljaroudi W · Current problems in cardiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Cardiac MRI (CMR) Methods, Standardization & Quantification
Investigation of Concordance between Artificial Intelligence and Manual Measurements of the Cardiac Parameters in Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging.
This prospective external validation study tested concordance between a commercially available AI system and manual measurements for biventricular cardiac parameters and per-segment left ventricular wall thickness (LVWT) on 3.0T CMR. In 100 healthy Chinese volunteers scanned at a single center (independent from the AI training data), AI measurements showed agreement with manual quantification for the evaluated cardiac parameters. Scientifically and clinically, this supports broader generalizability of AI-assisted CMR quantification and highlights the need for external validation before routine deployment.
Tang R, Xu Z, Huang Z et al. · Journal of imaging informatics in medicine · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Validation of a novel three-dimensional ultrafast cardiac magnetic resonance imaging protocol in adolescents: a non-inferiority study compared with the two-dimensional gold standard.
This non-inferiority study validated a novel three-dimensional ultrafast cardiac MRI protocol in adolescents by comparing it against a conventional two-dimensional gold standard for cardiac function, strain, and tissue characterization at 3T. In 39 adolescents (mean age 12.2 years), the 3D ultrafast protocol performed non-inferiorly to the 2D protocol across evaluated cardiac metrics while addressing pediatric constraints such as breath-holds and long acquisition times. The findings are significant because they support faster, more feasible CMR acquisition in adolescents without sacrificing diagnostic performance.
Chen W, Liu S, Li W et al. · Pediatric radiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
T1 Mapping In Differentiating Healthy And Pathological Myocardium.
This retrospective CMR study evaluated native T1 mapping measurement location and technique standardization by comparing non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (NIDCM) and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) cohorts with controls using 1.5T CMR including functional sequences, T1 mapping, and late gadolinium enhancement (LGE). The key finding was that diagnostic performance differed across T1 mapping approaches, enabling identification of an optimal measurement strategy for differentiating healthy from pathological myocardium. This is clinically significant because standardized native T1 mapping could improve reproducibility and support more reliable tissue characterization in cardiomyopathy.
Bozer Uludağ S, Ünal S, Peker E et al. · Anatolian journal of cardiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Comparison of Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction and Disease Classification by Cardiac Magnetic Resonance and Echocardiography.
This retrospective study compared left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and heart-failure disease classification thresholds between cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) and transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) in 1213 patients imaged within 1 week. It found measurable discordance in LVEF and downstream clinical classification between modalities and used logistic regression to identify imaging characteristics associated with classification differences. Clinically, this matters because modality-dependent LVEF differences can change guideline-based categorization (e.g., around 50% and 35%) and potentially influence treatment decisions.
Le Y, An J, Liang L et al. · The American journal of cardiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Fast and scalable annotation-free LV-centered ROI localisation in stress perfusion cardiac MRI.
This study developed and tested a fast, scalable, annotation-free pipeline to localize a left ventricle (LV)-centered region of interest (ROI) in stress perfusion cardiac MRI using Fast Fourier Transform-based localization, Sobel edge refinement, and a heuristic fallback. The method generated consistent LV-centered ROIs directly from raw perfusion frames without requiring labeled training data, addressing the bottleneck of manual annotation in stress perfusion CMR. This is significant for enabling more efficient, scalable analysis of stress perfusion CMR in research and potentially clinical workflows.
Kalashami MP, Fagioli A, Marini MR et al. · Computers in biology and medicine · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Fourier-Net+: Band-Limited Spatial Representation for Efficient Medical Image Registration.
Fourier-Net+ was studied as an unsupervised, image-domain deformable registration framework for high-resolution volumetric medical images, using real-valued inputs to support broad modality compatibility. The method uses deterministic Fourier-domain band-limiting for efficient down/up-sampling and a parameter-free, model-driven decoder to learn a band-limited, low-dimensional displacement-field representation, reducing computational cost while maintaining registration performance. This provides a more efficient way to predict dense displacement fields for clinical image registration tasks where full-resolution U-Net-style approaches are resource-intensive.
Jia X, Thorley A, Gomez A et al. · IEEE transactions on neural networks and learning systems · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
CMR for Heart Failure Prediction & Remodeling Phenotypes
Prognostic Impact of LGE Granularity Using CMR in End‑Stage Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.
This retrospective CMR study evaluated late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) granularity features (location, extent, and pattern) in patients with end-stage hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) defined by left ventricular ejection fraction <50% who were referred for CMR at three French tertiary centers between 2008 and 2024. LGE granularity modeling showed prognostic value for adverse outcomes in this end-stage HCM population, linking specific LGE granularity characteristics to risk beyond conventional clinical variables. These findings support using CMR-derived LGE granularity to refine risk stratification and guide management in advanced HCM where prognosis is poor.
Hudelo J, Garot J, Toupin S et al. · Circulation. Cardiovascular imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Prediction of Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction from ICU Electrocardiograms Using Vision Transformer Embeddings and Multimodal Features.
This retrospective ICU study developed and tested a multimodal model that predicts reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF ≤40%) directly from 12-lead ICU electrocardiograms by combining Vision Transformer (ViT) deep embeddings pretrained on CMR data with conventional quantitative ECG features. The key finding was that machine-learning classifiers (Random Forest, XGBoost, and a focal-loss shallow MLP) achieved clinically useful prediction of LVEF reduction in ~900 ICU admissions from a single tertiary center. This approach is significant because it enables earlier, CMR-independent identification of systolic dysfunction risk in critically ill patients when imaging is delayed or unavailable.
Lenkowicz J, di Giorgi N · Studies in health technology and informatics · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
The relationship between myocardial and hepatic T1 relaxometry on cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging and clinical outcomes late after tetralogy of Fallot repair.
This prospective study in adults after tetralogy of Fallot repair (rTOF) examined whether myocardial and hepatic parametric CMR measures—native T1, extracellular volume fraction (ECV), and hepatic native T1—were associated with each other and predicted clinical outcomes, with residual hemodynamic load stratified by pulmonary stenosis and/or pulmonary regurgitation. The main finding was that myocardial and hepatic T1/ECV metrics late after rTOF were concordant and had prognostic relevance in relation to post-repair clinical risk. These results support using combined myocardial–hepatic CMR relaxometry as a noninvasive marker of diffuse fibrosis burden and outcome risk after rTOF.
Ishikita A, Marques L, Thomas S et al. · Journal of cardiovascular magnetic resonance : official journal of the Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Relationship between hemodynamic forces based on CMR and major adverse cardiac events in cancer patients treated with anti-PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint inhibitors.
This prospective study investigated whether hemodynamic forces derived from cardiovascular MRI parameters are associated with major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in cancer patients receiving anti-PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint inhibitors. It enrolled cancer patients with normal baseline echocardiograms and performed CMR about 12 weeks after starting immunotherapy to relate CMR-derived hemodynamic forces to subsequent MACE risk. The scientific significance is that CMR-based biomechanical/physiologic markers could enable earlier identification of cardiotoxicity risk in patients treated with ICIs.
Gao D, Wang Y, Shi Y et al. · BMC medical imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Distribution of diffuse myocardial fibrosis is uneven and associated with left ventricular function in severe aortic stenosis.
This study investigated diffuse myocardial fibrosis (DMF) in 43 patients with severe aortic stenosis using myocardial biopsies and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) tissue characteristics, and related DMF distribution to left ventricular (LV) function. DMF was unevenly distributed across the myocardium and the spatial pattern of DMF was associated with worse LV functional measures. These findings support CMR-based quantification of potentially reversible diffuse remodeling in severe aortic stenosis and may help risk-stratify patients and monitor response to surgery.
Holmberg E, Engvall J, Nylander E et al. · Open heart · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
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 CMR text-driven prediction of heart failure outcomes. The key finding was that combining cine CMR with text-driven multimodal modeling can improve holistic prediction of heart failure outcomes compared with less integrated approaches (details truncated in the abstract). Clinically, such a framework could support more precise risk stratification and treatment optimization using routinely acquired CMR data.
Chen J, Sun J, Wang X et al. · Physiological measurement · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
CMR for Ischemia, Microvascular Injury & Post-MI Changes
Catheter ablation of epicardial premature ventricular complexes in patients with and without cardiac scar.
This retrospective study evaluated catheter ablation outcomes for left ventricular epicardial premature ventricular complexes (PVCs) in patients with and without myocardial scar using late gadolinium enhancement cardiac magnetic resonance (LGE-CMR). The key finding was that the presence of cardiac scar on LGE-CMR meaningfully stratified acute and long-term procedural outcomes after epicardial PVC ablation. Clinically, incorporating scar assessment by LGE-CMR can improve risk prediction and procedural planning for patients undergoing epicardial PVC ablation.
Jiwani S, Arps K, Shah M et al. · Journal of interventional cardiac electrophysiology : an international journal of arrhythmias and pacing · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Pre-perfusion coronary wedge pressure and microvascular obstruction in anterior ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI): An analysis from the EUROICE study.
This EUROICE study analysis investigated whether pre-perfusion coronary wedge pressure (CWP), measured during balloon occlusion, relates to microvascular obstruction (MVO) assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance in patients with anterior ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI). The key finding was that CWP captured microvascular compromise occurring during coronary occlusion and provided clinically relevant information beyond post-reperfusion indices like index of microvascular resistance (IMR). This is significant because it supports earlier invasive assessment of microvascular injury to better predict adverse left ventricular remodeling and outcomes.
Butt H, van Beek K, Sajjad U et al. · International journal of cardiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Rethinking Post-Infarction Remodeling: Identification and Validation of Data-Driven Cardiac MRI Phenotypes for Risk Stratification.
This prospective longitudinal study used unsupervised clustering on longitudinal cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) data to identify and validate data-driven adverse left ventricular remodeling (ALVR) phenotypes in reperfused STEMI patients. The key finding was that CMR-derived remodeling phenotypes had improved prognostic relevance compared with conventional ALVR definitions based on changes in left ventricular end-diastolic volume index and ejection fraction. This is significant for risk stratification after STEMI by moving from single metric thresholds to phenotype-based CMR patterns.
Xiang JY, Wu J, Zhao Y et al. · European heart journal. Cardiovascular Imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Changes in myocardial elasticity derived from in-vivo cardiac MRI in a swine model of ischemic heart failure.
This in-vivo swine ischemic heart failure study used serial cardiac MRI to quantify myocardial elasticity via secant modulus derived from combined wall stress and wall strain analysis. In male Yucatan mini swine (N=15) subjected to 90-minute occlusion-reperfusion, the key finding was that secant modulus captured myocardial mechanical remodeling after myocardial infarction in ways that could provide earlier or more informative markers than ejection fraction alone. This is significant because it positions MRI-derived myocardial elasticity as a potentially sensitive tool for detecting and characterizing post-MI progression toward chronic heart failure.
Lefkowitz E, Ref J, Bravo F et al. · Scientific reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Layer-specific fast strain-encoded cardiovascular magnetic resonance in suspected acute coronary syndrome: a prospective study.
In a prospective single-center observational study, patients presenting with chest pain and low-to-intermediate pretest probability for major adverse cardiac events (MACE) underwent rapid cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) using fast Strain-ENCoded imaging (fSENC) with layer-specific strain analysis before further management. Layer-specific fast strain CMR helped identify ischemic causes and provided tissue/functional information that complements early high-sensitivity troponin testing. This is clinically significant because it may improve noninvasive triage of suspected acute coronary syndrome by linking rapid, layer-resolved strain patterns to underlying ischemic pathology.
Weberling LD, Siry D, Haney AC et al. · Clinical research in cardiology : official journal of the German Cardiac Society · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Multiparametric Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Characterization of the Noninfarcted Myocardium: Definition, Assessment, and Clinical Significance.
This article reviewed the definition, assessment methods, and clinical significance of the noninfarcted myocardium (NIM) after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) using cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR). It reports that CMR can detect NIM changes such as inflammation, interstitial expansion, and altered myocardial deformation, reflecting ongoing ischemic injury beyond the infarct core. The scientific significance is that NIM characterization may refine prognosis and therapeutic targeting in AMI beyond infarct size alone.
Pavon AG, Bergamaschi L, Guglielmo M et al. · JACC. Cardiovascular imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Inflammatory Cardiomyopathies & Inflammatory Heart Disease Imaging
Serum vs. tissue cytokine dysregulation in SLE-associated myocarditis: a hypothesis from an African cohort perspective.
This hypothesis-driven study in an African mixed-ancestry cohort assessed whether cytokine dysregulation measured in serum versus cardiac tissue differed in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)–associated myocarditis. Using immunoassays for serum cytokines and correlating tissue inflammatory profiles with standard-of-care parameters including CMR, the study found discordant patterns between circulating and cardiac tissue cytokine signatures across controls, SLE without myocarditis, and SLE with myocarditis. The significance is that tissue-level immune profiling may better reflect myocarditis biology than serum biomarkers alone, informing future mechanistic studies and biomarker development.
Ollewagen T, Toit RD, Karamchand S et al. · Molecular medicine (Cambridge, Mass.) · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Current state of knowledge on the epidemiology, aetiology, diagnosis, and management of heart involvement in eosinophilia. A Clinical Consensus Statement of the ESC Working Group on Myocardial & Pericardial Diseases.
This ESC Working Group clinical consensus statement reviewed heart involvement in eosinophilia (eosinophilic heart disease), emphasizing epidemiology, causes, diagnosis, and management, including scenarios where peripheral eosinophilia may be absent. It concludes that organ/tissue biopsy is essential for diagnosis in selected patients and that early recognition is often missed until advanced disease. The consensus is scientifically and clinically important because it provides guidance to improve timely diagnosis and reduce morbidity and mortality from eosinophil-associated cardiac complications.
Kuchynka P, Brucato A, Tschöpe C et al. · European journal of heart failure · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
[Chagas cardiomyopathy].
This narrative review summarized Chagas cardiomyopathy in the context of chronic Trypanosoma cruzi infection, focusing on the role of cardiovascular imaging for early detection and risk stratification. It emphasizes that echocardiography assesses function and structural abnormalities, cardiac MRI enables myocardial tissue characterization and fibrosis detection, and nuclear imaging (including metaiodobenzylguanidine scintigraphy) contributes to evaluating cardiac involvement. The significance lies in addressing the long asymptomatic period of Chagas disease by highlighting imaging strategies that can identify myocardial damage before overt heart failure or malignant arrhythmias.
Redzepi B, Mainta I, Jackson Y et al. · Revue medicale suisse · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Multimodality Imaging in Inflammatory Cardiac Disease.
This review summarized how multimodality imaging is used to diagnose and manage inflammatory cardiac diseases, including myocarditis, cardiac sarcoidosis, infective endocarditis, and pericarditis. It emphasizes that echocardiography is first-line for many scenarios (especially infective endocarditis and pericardial effusion), CMR provides gold-standard tissue characterization for myocarditis and cardiac sarcoidosis, and CT and FDG-PET/CT add complementary anatomic and inflammatory information. The clinical significance is improved diagnostic accuracy and treatment planning by matching the imaging modality to the specific inflammatory cardiac condition.
Mahmood A, Ramesh J, Patel DS et al. · Cardiology in review · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Insights Into the Natural History of Recurrent Myocarditis, A Multicenter International Study (Re-Myo Study).
The Re-Myo Study investigated the natural history and outcomes of recurrent acute myocarditis (Re-AM) in 141 international patients with biopsy- or cardiac MRI-proven recurrent myocarditis, compared with 372 patients with single acute myocarditis (S-AM). Re-AM patients (median age in the mid-30s to 40s, predominantly male) were followed for a composite outcome including all-cause mortality, heart transplant, and major ventricular arrhythmias. This is significant because it characterizes prognosis after recurrence, informing clinical management and risk counseling for patients with recurrent myocarditis.
Baggio C, Cannata A, Gasperetti A et al. · Journal of the American Heart Association · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Epidemiology of non-ischaemic dilated cardiomyopathy.
This narrative review studied the epidemiology of non-ischaemic dilated cardiomyopathy, synthesizing evidence on prevalence, sex differences, and the contribution of genetic technologies to understanding disease mechanisms. It found that non-ischaemic dilated cardiomyopathy is more common than previously thought, with prevalence around 1 in 220 on cardiac MRI-based estimates and about twice the prevalence in men than women, with potentially higher rates when subclinical disease is included. The scientific significance is improved risk estimation and a stronger rationale for earlier detection and genetics-informed approaches in non-ischaemic dilated cardiomyopathy.
Ramos-López N, Domínguez F, Ochoa JP et al. · Nature reviews. Cardiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Sarcoidosis & FDG-PET/CT Integration
FDG PET for cardiac sarcoidosis: Protocol optimization, quantification, pitfalls, and multimodality imaging integration.
This article reviewed and synthesized evidence on FDG PET in cardiac sarcoidosis, focusing on protocol optimization, quantification methods, common pitfalls, and integration with multimodality imaging (echocardiography and cardiac MRI). It highlights that standardized PET preparation/interpretation and quantitative metrics can improve diagnostic accuracy and help integrate PET findings with MRI and clinical data for risk stratification and management. The review is clinically significant because cardiac sarcoidosis is heterogeneous and often missed, and PET can provide key information about active inflammation when used appropriately.
Wopperer SB, Kronzer E, Ivare J et al. · Seminars in nuclear medicine · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
[Cardiac sarcoidosis in 2026 : current perspectives].
This 2026 perspectives review on cardiac sarcoidosis discussed current diagnostic and management considerations, noting that symptomatic cardiac sarcoidosis occurs in about 5% of patients with systemic sarcoidosis. It highlights that endomyocardial biopsy has limited sensitivity (~20%) and that advanced imaging—especially [18F]-FDG PET/CT and cardiac MRI—supports prompt detection of myocardial inflammation and fibrosis. The clinical significance is improved recognition and earlier intervention to reduce arrhythmia, heart failure, and sudden cardiac death risk.
Sritharan A, Hermann Kamani C, Lu H et al. · Revue medicale suisse · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Genetics & Inherited Cardiomyopathies (Imaging-Guided Surveillance)
Filamin C Genetic Cardiomyopathy Presenting as Acute Myocardial Injury.
This JACC Case Report described a 46-year-old man with acute myocardial injury characterized by a nonischemic imaging pattern, where cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) showed extensive ring-like subepicardial late gadolinium enhancement across 10 left ventricular segments without edema. The key finding was identification of a pathogenic FLNC (filamin C) gene variant as the underlying cause, with follow-up showing persistent fibrosis but preserved ventricular function and no arrhythmias. Scientifically and clinically, the case highlights FLNC genetic cardiomyopathy as a cause of acute troponin elevation with distinctive CMR patterns, supporting genetic testing when imaging suggests nonischemic myocardial injury.
Alexandrino FB, Curtis B, Nguyen C et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Epicardial adipose tissue is associated with impaired outcomes in genotype-positive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
This retrospective genotype-positive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) study quantified epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) volume by cardiovascular magnetic resonance and assessed its relationship with malignant ventricular arrhythmias (MVA) and heart failure outcomes. The key finding was that higher EAT volume was associated with impaired outcomes, including increased risk of MVA, in genotype-positive HCM patients. Clinically, EAT quantification by CMR may help refine prognostic stratification and identify genotype-positive HCM patients at higher risk.
Mahmoud B, Koppelaar AJ, Michels M et al. · European journal of heart failure · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Discordant Cardiomyopathy Phenotypes in Siblings With Homozygous FKRP c.1100T>C.
This JACC Case Reports report described two South African Afrikaner siblings homozygous for the FKRP variant c.1100T>C (p.Ile367Thr) with discordant cardiomyopathy phenotypes. The brother developed progressive cardiomyopathy with reduced LVEF (41%) that evolved toward dilated cardiomyopathy and showed extensive late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) fibrosis over 7 years despite partial reverse remodeling. The clinical significance is that even with the same homozygous FKRP genotype, cardiac phenotype severity and fibrosis progression can diverge markedly, underscoring the need for individualized cardiac surveillance in FKRP-related disease.
Mahon N, Coad S, Kiamanesh O · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Natural history of cardiac involvement in women carrying pathogenic DMD gene variants: a 7-year longitudinal study.
This 7-year longitudinal prospective study followed 34 women carrying pathogenic dystrophin (DMD) gene variants (19 predicted Duchenne and 15 Becker) to characterize natural history of cardiac involvement using cardiac MRI with late gadolinium enhancement and assessments of ventricular function and conduction. The key finding was the evolution over time of ventricular function, myocardial fibrosis, and arrhythmias in this population, demonstrating that cardiac involvement can progress longitudinally in female DMD variant carriers. This is clinically significant because it supports the need for long-term cardiac surveillance and informs risk stratification for cardiomyopathy and conduction abnormalities in women with DMD mutations.
Lyu Z, Joensen H, Poulsen NS et al. · Journal of neurology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Cardiac MRI in cardiac dystrophinopathy: recommendations on imaging.
This article provides expert recommendations on using cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) for imaging in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), a cardiac dystrophinopathy. It highlights that CMR can detect myocardial tissue changes earlier than echocardiography and maintains measurement accuracy as DMD progresses, supporting regular imaging to track heart pump function and treatment response. The guidance is clinically significant because it helps standardize surveillance imaging in DMD where early tissue injury precedes overt systolic dysfunction.
McDiarmid A, Augustine D, Coats C et al. · Open heart · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Cardiac Tumors & Metastases (Imaging-Based Diagnosis)
Left Ventricular Metastasis from Hepatocellular Carcinoma Presenting With Systemic Embolization and Stroke.
This JACC Case Report described a 71-year-old man with prior hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who presented with systemic embolization and stroke, where transthoracic echocardiography suggested a left ventricular (LV) mass consistent with thrombus. The key finding was that cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) supported LV metastasis from HCC as the embolic source rather than thrombus. Clinically, the report emphasizes the diagnostic value of multimodality imaging for recognizing rare cardiac metastases that can present as embolic stroke.
Rashwan R, Kholeif Z, Vega-Sanabria B et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
New-Onset Atrial Flutter Revealing a Large Right Coronary Artery to Superior Vena Cava Fistula.
This JACC Case Report described a 63-year-old man with new-onset atrial flutter who was found to have a large right coronary artery to superior vena cava (SVC) fistula. The key finding was confirmation of the fistula and associated right-sided chamber dilation using multimodality imaging—coronary computed tomography angiography, cardiac magnetic resonance, and cardiac catheterization—followed by successful transcatheter coil embolization. Clinically, the case underscores that coronary artery fistulas can present with atrial arrhythmias and that targeted transcatheter closure can be effective.
Acharya S, Patel V, Shahane S et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Giant Cardiac Glomangioma With Extensive Intravascular Extension: A Surgical and Pathological Rarity.
This JACC Case Report presented a rare giant cardiac glomangioma with extensive intravascular extension in which the tumor extended from the right ventricular free wall into the right atrium and inferior vena cava, reaching the left common iliac vein. The key finding was that surgical excision achieved an excellent clinical outcome despite the unusual extent of vascular involvement. Scientifically, the report highlights the importance of multimodality imaging and surgical pathology in diagnosing and managing exceptionally rare cardiac glomangiomas.
Bhutta M, Tariq K, Iqtadar R et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Diagnostic Accuracy of an Integrated Multimodality Imaging Approach in Patients With Cardiac Masses.
In this prospective diagnostic accuracy study, investigators compared multiparametric scoring approaches derived from echocardiography, cardiac MRI (CMR), cardiac CT (CCT), and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) PET—individually and in combination—for identifying malignant cardiac masses, using histology as the reference standard. The key finding was that integrated multimodality strategies improved diagnostic performance for malignancy compared with single-modality assessment. This is clinically significant because it provides evidence for using combined imaging features to more reliably triage patients with suspected cardiac masses toward appropriate management.
Angeli F, Armillotta M, Foà A et al. · JACC. Cardiovascular imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Rare presentation of right ventricular myxoma causing severe anaemia and acute kidney injury.
This BMJ case report described a 53-year-old man with a rare right ventricular myxoma presenting with severe anaemia and acute kidney injury, investigated using transthoracic and transoesophageal echocardiography, CT with FDG PET, cardiac MRI, and endomyocardial biopsy. The key finding was that multimodality imaging identified the intracardiac mass and the patient was successfully treated with surgical excision and tricuspid valve repair. The case is significant because it illustrates a practical diagnostic pathway for complex right-sided cardiac tumors and the value of FDG PET and cardiac MRI in preoperative assessment.
Shah S, Gill JS, Gill J et al. · BMJ case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Imaging of Myocardial Carcinoid Metastasis.
Two patients with neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) and isolated myocardial metastases were evaluated using multimodality imaging, including Gallium-68 DOTATATE PET/CT and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), with transthoracic echocardiography for comparison. Myocardial metastases were detected on Gallium-68 DOTATATE PET/CT and characterized by CMR, while echocardiography had limited ability to identify myocardial involvement. This highlights the clinical significance of PET/CT plus CMR for recognizing and staging cardiac metastasis from NETs that may be asymptomatic and under-recognized.
Ranganath S, Ynalvez L, Ryoo Ali HJ et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Cardiac tumour in paediatrics: the role of multimodal imaging and therapeutic catheterisation.
A 14-year-old male pediatric patient with a cardiac murmur initially diagnosed as asymmetric septal hypertrophic cardiomyopathy underwent multimodal imaging and therapeutic catheter-based evaluation for a highly vascular interventricular septal mass. Cardiac MRI confirmed a highly vascularized lesion with characteristic signal properties (including high extracellular volume) and echocardiography showed a large obstructive gradient in the right ventricular outflow tract. The case is clinically significant because it demonstrates how multimodal imaging can refine diagnosis and guide catheter-based management of pediatric cardiac tumors that mimic hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
Trujeque L, Hernandez K, Tavera A · Cardiology in the young · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Valvular Heart Disease (Aortic Stenosis/Regurgitation) & Outcomes
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 and projections of mortality related to aortic stenosis (AS) and hypertension (HTN) among older adults in the United States using CDC WONDER multiple-cause-of-death data from 1999–2020. Joinpoint regression and ARIMA-based projections were used to quantify and forecast mortality trends and demographic-geographic disparities for comorbid AS and HTN. The findings are significant for public health planning by identifying how AS/HTN-related mortality is changing over time and where risk is concentrated.
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 ↗
Contemporary Overview of Aortic Regurgitation in Young Individuals: Insights From Real-Life Evidence.
This contemporary overview examined real-life evidence on aortic regurgitation (AR) in young individuals aged 18–44 years, focusing on diagnostic challenges and outcomes across severity and underlying causes. It emphasizes that prognosis depends on regurgitation severity, early left ventricular dysfunction, and intervention strategy, while noting that optimal timing for surgery in asymptomatic chronic AR remains uncertain. The clinical significance is improved risk stratification and earlier, more accurate diagnosis using echocardiography and a multimodality imaging approach.
Sozzi FB, Gamberini G, Kim JK et al. · Journal of the American Heart Association · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Pulmonary Hypertension & Right-Heart Physiology (Including Diastology)
Right Heart Diastology, Where Are We Now?
This 2026 review synthesized current evidence on right heart diastology across pulmonary vascular disease, heart failure, and congenital heart disease, focusing on how right atrial function, right ventricular compliance, and pulmonary arterial load interact as a unified diastolic unit. The key conclusion is that abnormalities in relaxation and compliance often precede overt right-sided systolic failure and are mediated by load-dependent mechanisms. Clinically, reframing right heart diastology as an integrated physiology target may improve early detection and risk prediction in pulmonary hypertension and related disorders.
Kocx CJ, Hemnes AR, Healy J et al. · Circulation research · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Metabolomics of Right Ventricular Function in Pulmonary Hypertension.
This multicenter metabolomics analysis used the PVDOMICS cohort to identify metabolites and pathways associated with right ventricular (RV) systolic function in pulmonary hypertension, including comparisons by pulmonary vascular resistance, pulmonary hypertension group 1 status, and sex. Metabolite–RV function associations differed across PH group and physiological load strata, indicating distinct metabolic signatures linked to RV systolic performance. Scientifically, these results suggest potential metabolite biomarkers and mechanistic pathways for RV dysfunction beyond group 1 pulmonary hypertension.
Chacon-Barahona J, Chung SJ, Garry JD et al. · Circulation research · (2026) · 1 citations · View on PubMed ↗
Dynamic right ventricular and atrial volume responses to exercise in endurance-trained and untrained healthy individuals.
This study compared dynamic right ventricular (RV) and atrial (left and right atrial) volume responses to exercise in 33 healthy individuals—20 endurance-trained (ET) and 13 untrained (UT)—using exercise real-time four-chamber CMR with respiratory control. ET participants showed different RV and atrial volume dynamics during exercise compared with UT individuals, indicating training-related alterations in right-sided and atrial physiology. These results are scientifically important for understanding whole-heart hemodynamic adaptation to exercise and for interpreting CMR-derived volume changes in health and disease.
Östenson B, Ostenfeld E, Edlund J et al. · PloS one · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Cardiometabolic Risk, Obesity/Insulin Resistance & Early Disease
Glucose Disposal Rate: A Novel Measure of Insulin Resistance Associated With Myocardial Fibrosis and Incident Heart Failure.
This cohort study evaluated whether the estimated glucose disposal rate (eGDR), a surrogate marker of insulin resistance, is associated with myocardial fibrosis and incident heart failure in 6,025 participants from the MESA study. Lower eGDR (higher insulin resistance) was assessed in relation to cardiac magnetic resonance measures of left ventricular function and myocardial fibrosis, and to subsequent heart failure events. The significance is that eGDR could provide a practical cardiometabolic risk marker that links insulin resistance to myocardial remodeling and future heart failure.
Bukhari S, Kwapong YA, Yanek LR et al. · Journal of the American Heart Association · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Associations of Metabolic Phenotypes with Cardiac Structure and Clinical Outcomes: Insights from the UK Biobank.
Using UK Biobank data, this prospective study examined how metabolic phenotypes—metabolically healthy nonobese (MHN), metabolically healthy obese (MHO), metabolically unhealthy nonobese (MUN), and metabolically unhealthy obese (MUO)—relate to cardiac structure on cardiac MRI and to clinical outcomes over a median 5.1-year follow-up. Participants (n=22,789; mean age ~64 years) were stratified by obesity (BMI ≥30 kg/m²) and metabolic status, then linked to CMR-derived cardiac measures and subsequent events. The scientific significance is clarifying whether metabolic health modifies the impact of obesity on cardiac remodeling and cardiovascular outcomes.
Bogner B, Jung M, Reisert M et al. · The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism · (2026) · 1 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Subclinical Origins of Cardiometabolic Risk in Indian Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Study.
This cross-sectional study measured associations between body fat, hepatic fat, and cardiometabolic risk factors in apparently healthy Indian adolescents aged 11–16 years (n=40) using MRI proton density fat fraction (PDFF) on a 3.0 T scanner and whole-body fat by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). It found that cardiometabolic risk factors were present in a substantial subset of adolescents and were associated with fat measures (with results truncated in the abstract). The significance is that subclinical cardiometabolic risk can begin in adolescence, supporting early screening using noninvasive imaging biomarkers.
Hegde SG, Kankara SR, Raj JM et al. · Indian pediatrics · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Biomarkers for Cardiac Inflammation/Remodeling
Elevated sST2 associates with cardiac involvement and declines after treatment in newly diagnosed patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies.
This longitudinal cohort study measured soluble suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (sST2) in newly diagnosed and established idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM), including 34 newly diagnosed patients followed over two years, to assess cardiac involvement (CI) and treatment-related changes. Elevated sST2 was associated with cardiac involvement and declined after treatment in newly diagnosed patients. The clinical significance is that sST2 may serve as a biomarker for cardiac inflammation/remodeling activity and treatment response in IIM.
Hanna B, Lundberg IE, Ekwall AH et al. · Arthritis research & therapy · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Clinical Trials & Therapeutics in Heart Failure / HFpEF / Iron Deficiency
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; n=45), excluding those with iron deficiency anemia. The trial’s key mechanistic aim was to assess whether IV iron improves cardiovascular function and exercise tolerance, with assessments including exercise right heart catheterization, 6-minute walking distance, cardiac MRI, and exercise calf muscle 31P-magnetic resonance spectroscopy (results truncated in the abstract). Clinically, it tests whether correcting iron deficiency can improve HFpEF physiology and functional capacity beyond anemia status.
van de Bovenkamp AA, Nassiri S, de Man FS et al. · European journal of heart failure · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Preclinical Models & Translational Cardiovascular Interventions
Hemodynamic and metabolomic responses to infusion of GLP-1 agonist exenatide in pulmonary arterial hypertension.
This first-in-disease clinical study tested the acute hemodynamic and metabolomic effects of the GLP-1 receptor agonist exenatide given intravenously during right heart catheterization in patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH), alongside a monocrotaline (MCT) PAH rodent model. The key finding was that exenatide was well tolerated and reduced mean pulmonary artery pressure, with accompanying changes in circulating metabolites and supportive CMR findings in the animal model. Scientifically and clinically, these results suggest GLP-1 agonism may modulate pulmonary vascular physiology and warrants further therapeutic investigation in PAH/CTEPH.
Samaranayake CB, Niglas M, Baxan N et al. · JCI insight · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Arteriovenous fistula creation results in cardiac dysfunction and remodeling in a uremic pig model.
This study examined cardiovascular changes after arteriovenous fistula (AVF) creation, supported by percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA), in a uremic pig model of chronic kidney disease induced by renal embolization. AVF creation produced cardiac dysfunction and remodeling associated with compensatory hemodynamic changes in the uremic large-animal setting. The work is significant because it establishes a mechanistic preclinical model relevant to end-stage kidney disease patients undergoing hemodialysis access creation.
Kane J, Singh PG, Kilari S et al. · American journal of physiology. Renal physiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
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) using GCB- and ABC-subtype DLBCL cell lines and normal peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), focusing on NF-κB/IκBα signaling and reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated apoptosis. Z2-A-Z2 showed superior anti-DLBCL efficacy by inducing apoptosis with increased ROS and inhibiting the NF-κB/IκBα pathway. Scientifically, it supports Z2-A-Z2 as a mechanism-targeted candidate for overcoming 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 ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Feasibility of Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Guided Pulmonary Artery Stenting in a Commercial Wide-Bore 0.55-T Scanner.
This preclinical feasibility study tested magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided pulmonary artery (PA) stenting in a swine model using a commercial wide-bore 0.55-T MRI system with ferumoxytol-enhanced imaging. PA stenting was successful in 7 of 10 juvenile pigs, with all successful deployments occurring after switching from femoral to external jugular venous access, and real-time gradient echo imaging provided sufficient visualization for catheter navigation and stent deployment. The significance is that radiation-free, MRI-guided vascular intervention may be feasible on lower-field clinical MRI systems, supporting future translational development.
Liu Y, Kelly JM, Swinning J et al. · JACC. Basic to translational science · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Epidemiology, Public Health & Health Systems (Including EHR/Policy)
Sustained and discontinued operational changes to ethics committees in the post-pandemic era: a qualitative study in Kenya.
This qualitative study in Kenya examined how research ethics committees (ECs) changed their operational processes during and after the COVID-19 public health emergency, focusing on adjustments that were retained versus discontinued. The key finding was that some pandemic-era EC operational changes persisted post-pandemic while others were dropped, reflecting a mix of perceived value, feasibility, and regulatory/operational constraints. These results are significant for strengthening sustainable EC oversight models for future public health emergencies while maintaining participant protections.
Kebenei E, Cheruiyot D, Bukusi EA et al. · BMC medical ethics · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Measurement of quality of stroke care with national electronic health records: a prospective cohort study during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
This prospective cohort study evaluated stroke care quality in England using linked national electronic health records (EHRs) across the COVID-19 period, focusing on metrics such as secondary prevention medication dispensing and a proxy for disability-time spent at home (“home-time”). It used linked datasets including the Sentinel Stroke National Audit Programme (SSNAP), primary/secondary care, dispensed medications, and mortality records for 425,675 adults. The scientific and policy significance is that EHR linkage can quantify aspects of stroke care quality not routinely captured and assess how care processes changed during and after COVID-19.
Farrell J, Nolan J, Lambert R et al. · BMJ open · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Structural and Functional Abnormalities in the Preterm Heart: From Development to Adulthood.
This review studied the developmental and lifelong consequences of preterm birth on the heart, focusing on structural and functional abnormalities from infancy through adulthood in preterm infants. It synthesizes evidence linking preterm-related exposures (e.g., oxygen dysregulation), disrupted cellular architecture, extracellular matrix changes, altered cardiomyocyte mitochondrial function, immature sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum, and procedural stress to later cardiovascular disease risk. The scientific significance is that it supports the rationale for heightened long-term cardiovascular surveillance and informs future mechanistic and translational research.
Zegelbone P, Young K, Hughes F et al. · Journal of the American Heart Association · (2026) · 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 cross-sectional study investigated the association between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and substance use (alcohol, tobacco products, and illicit drugs) among young adults in higher learning institutions in Mombasa County, Kenya (n=849). It found that ACE exposure was common and was associated with substance use outcomes in this university/college population. The significance is that ACE screening and prevention strategies could help identify and reduce substance-use risk among young adults in similar settings.
Odero M, Kihoro RW, Mbogo PW et al. · Substance abuse treatment, prevention, and policy · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Generated automatically on May 24, 2026. Covers PubMed articles published May 17, 2026 – May 24, 2026. Summaries are AI-generated; always consult the original publication for clinical or research decisions.