What's New in Cardiac MRI? — May 28, 2026
AI-summarised digest of 68 PubMed articles on Cardiac MRI published in the last 7 days.
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What’s New in Cardiac MRI?
May 28, 2026 · 68 articles · 15 research themes · covering May 21, 2026 – May 28, 2026
Overview
Across this week’s set of studies, a dominant theme is the rapid expansion of cardiac MRI–centered tools for both measurement and decision-making. Multiple papers validate or advance AI-assisted CMR quantification (including segmentation and reconstruction), and several focus on making CMR more practical—faster protocols for pediatrics/young adults, ultrafast 3D approaches, and mid-field/wide-bore systems that broaden access. In parallel, new quantitative biomarkers (e.g., myocardial elasticity via MRI-derived secant modulus, atrial/LA–LV coupling indices, LGE granularity, and multi-chamber strain) are being tested for incremental prognostic value beyond conventional metrics like LVEF.
A second major thread is mechanistic phenotyping of cardiac disease using multimodality imaging and tissue-level signals. Studies in myocarditis and inflammatory heart disease emphasize that serum alone may miss key biology (e.g., SLE myocarditis tissue cytokines), while integrated PET strategies (FDG PET plus perfusion imaging) and atrial functional measures (CMR LAS) may improve risk prediction in “possible myocarditis.” In ischemic and remodeling contexts, data-driven CMR clustering better stratifies post-MI remodeling phenotypes than traditional volume/LVEF thresholds, and invasive physiology markers (e.g., pre-perfusion wedge pressure) help anticipate microvascular obstruction.
Finally, the digest highlights how imaging is increasingly used to resolve complex clinical scenarios—distinguishing cardiac tumors from thrombus, clarifying MINOCA mechanisms (including coronary embolism sources and microvascular dysfunction), and characterizing systemic/genetic cardiomyopathies where genotype–phenotype relationships diverge. Right-heart and pulmonary vascular disease work (including RV diastology frameworks, RV risk stratification with echocardiography vs CMR, and metabolomics linked to RV function) complements these efforts, underscoring a broader shift toward earlier detection, better phenotyping, and more personalized risk stratification across diverse cardiovascular conditions.
Cardiac MRI AI & Image Reconstruction
Clinical evaluation of accelerated breath-held and free-breathing cine cardiac MRI using model-based deep learning reconstruction (SonicDL) in children and young adults.
This study clinically evaluated the commercially available model-based deep learning reconstruction technique SonicDL for balanced steady-state free-precession (bSSFP) cine cardiac MRI in children and young adults across multiple acceleration factors and breath-held versus free-breathing protocols. SonicDL improved diagnostic image quality and ventricular volumetric accuracy while substantially reducing scan time compared with conventional cine acquisitions that require repeated breath-holds. These findings support using SonicDL to lessen breath-hold burden and enable more feasible, accurate cine CMR for pediatric/young adult ventricular function assessment.
Kocaoglu M, Ta H, Lang SM et al. · Pediatric radiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Mid-Field Cardiovascular MRI in Class III Obesity.
This JACC Case Reports case series studied feasibility and image quality of mid-field cardiovascular MRI in five patients with class III obesity (BMI ≥40 kg/m2) using a 0.55-T 80-cm wide-bore prototype scanner. The key finding was that clinically indicated sequences (prototype cine, parametric mapping, phase-contrast flow, late gadolinium enhancement, and thoracic MR angiography) produced diagnostic-quality images in all cases despite conventional 1.5-T/3-T bore and table-weight limitations. Scientifically and clinically, it suggests mid-field wide-bore CMR can expand access to comprehensive cardiac MRI for patients with severe obesity.
Gil KE, Binzel K, Goyal A et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · 1 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
FA-SedLoRA: scene-driven fine-tuning and style disentanglement for domain-generalized cardiac MRI segmentation.
This study developed FA-SedLoRA, a deep learning method for domain-generalized cardiac MRI segmentation using scene-driven fine-tuning and style disentanglement. The key finding is that by addressing the domain gap between natural-image vision foundation models and cardiac MRI data, the approach improves transferability across clinical centers, imaging protocols, and scanner vendors compared with task-specific segmentation models. The scientific significance is that FA-SedLoRA supports more robust, generalizable CMR segmentation workflows that can reduce center-specific performance degradation.
Wang C, Peng P, Wang X · Medical & biological engineering & computing · (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 a multimodal machine-learning model to predict reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF ≤40%) directly from 12-lead electrocardiograms using Vision Transformer (ViT) embeddings pretrained on CMR data combined with quantitative ECG features. The model was trained and evaluated against conventional classifiers (Random Forest, XGBoost, and a focal-loss shallow MLP) in approximately 900 ICU admissions from a single tertiary center. If externally validated, this approach could enable earlier identification of LV systolic dysfunction when CMR/echo is delayed in critical care.
Lenkowicz J, di Giorgi N · Studies in health technology and informatics · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Investigation of Concordance between Artificial Intelligence and Manual Measurements of the Cardiac Parameters in Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging.
This prospective external validation study assessed concordance between a commercially available artificial intelligence (AI) system and manual measurements for cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) biventricular parameters and per-segment left ventricular wall thickness (LVWT) in 100 healthy Chinese volunteers. The key finding was that AI-derived biventricular and segmental LVWT measurements showed strong agreement with manual quantification, supporting the system’s generalizability beyond its training environment. Scientifically and clinically, this supports reliable AI-assisted CMR quantification for broader use in cardiac imaging workflows and multicenter studies.
Tang R, Xu Z, Huang Z et al. · Journal of imaging informatics in medicine · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Contrastive language image pretraining for a cardiac magnetic resonance image embedding with zero-shot capabilities.
The authors developed CMR-CLIP, a contrastive language image pretraining model that learns vision-language embeddings from cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) images paired with associated reports, treating CMR images as videos for joint embedding learning. The key finding was that the resulting zero-shot capabilities improved CMR representation learning by enabling retrieval/understanding tasks without requiring precise image-text pairing for every sample. This is scientifically significant because it reduces dependence on large labeled datasets in CMR and enables more scalable, report-informed AI for cardiac imaging.
Nakashima M, Qiu J, Huang P et al. · Nature communications · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Cardiac MRI Quantification & Mapping (T1/T2/T2*/ECV/Iron)
Multiparametric cardiac MRI in the diagnosis of transplant rejection in patients after orthotopic heart transplantation.
This prospective single-center study assessed quantitative cardiac MRI—especially T1- and T2-mapping—for noninvasive diagnosis/monitoring of acute cellular rejection (ACR) in 17 adult orthotopic heart transplant recipients within 1 month post-transplant, compared with 10 controls without structural heart disease. Serial T1- and T2-mapping metrics differed between transplant recipients and controls and were evaluated as quantitative imaging tools to detect rejection without relying solely on endomyocardial biopsies. If validated, multiparametric cardiac MRI could reduce biopsy burden and enable earlier, more objective ACR surveillance after heart transplantation.
Sokolska JM, Sokolski M, Nożyński J et al. · European radiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Myocardial T2 Star (T2*) in a Large Healthy Population: Correction Factors for a Segmental Approach Using Commercially Available Software in the Current MRI Era.
This prospective normative study measured myocardial T2* using Black Blood MEGE T2* mapping in a large healthy population stratified by sex and age to derive correction factors for a segmental T2* approach. The work addressed limitations of commercially available software by generating segmental correction factors applicable to the current MRI era. Establishing robust normative segmental T2* values supports more accurate detection and quantification of heterogeneous myocardial iron overload.
Lupi A, Gambato S, Checchetto A et al. · Tomography (Ann Arbor, Mich.) · (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 relationships between myocardial and hepatic native T1 relaxometry/ECV on CMR and clinical outcomes late after repair, alongside healthy controls. It measured myocardial and hepatic native T1 and calculated extracellular volume fraction (ECV), stratifying patients by residual hemodynamic load (pulmonary stenosis and/or pulmonary regurgitation). Linking hepatic and myocardial diffuse fibrosis markers could improve noninvasive assessment of long-term remodeling 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 ↗
Changes in myocardial elasticity derived from in-vivo cardiac MRI in a swine model of ischemic heart failure.
The study evaluated myocardial elasticity changes in a clinically relevant swine model of ischemic heart failure after myocardial infarction (MI) by deriving the secant modulus (a combined wall stress–wall strain metric) in vivo from cardiac MRI. The key finding was that secant modulus detected remodeling-related changes over the post-MI course in a way that could provide earlier or more complete characterization than relying solely on left ventricular ejection fraction (EF). This is significant because it positions MRI-derived myocardial elasticity as a potential early biomarker for detecting and tracking progression of heart failure after MI.
Lefkowitz E, Ref J, Bravo F et al. · Scientific reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
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 (3D) ultrafast CMR protocol against a conventional two-dimensional (2D) gold-standard protocol for assessing cardiac function, strain, and tissue characterization in 39 adolescents (mean age ~12.2 years). The key finding was that the 3D ultrafast protocol performed non-inferior to the 2D standard at 3T, supporting comparable quantitative assessment while addressing pediatric constraints such as breath-holding and long acquisition times. This is clinically significant because it enables faster, more feasible CMR in adolescents without sacrificing measurement accuracy.
Chen W, Liu S, Li W et al. · Pediatric radiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Cardiac MRI Prognostic Biomarkers & Risk Stratification
A composable multimodal framework for cine CMR-text-driven prediction of heart failure outcomes.
This study developed and evaluated a composable multimodal machine-learning framework to predict heart failure outcomes using cine CMR text-driven inputs combined with other modalities for more holistic patient assessment. The key finding was that the framework could improve outcome prediction by integrating multimodal information rather than relying on a single CMR-derived metric. Clinically, this supports more accurate risk stratification and treatment optimization in heart failure using richer, CMR-derived representations.
Chen J, Sun J, Wang X et al. · Physiological measurement · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Prognostic Value of a Cardiac Magnetic Resonance-Derived Left Atrioventricular Coupling Index From Routine Cine Images in Dilated Cardiomyopathy: A Multicenter Study.
This multicenter retrospective study assessed whether a cardiac MRI-derived left atrioventricular coupling index (LACI) computed from routine cine images predicts adverse outcomes in 403 patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). The key finding was that LACI provided prognostic value beyond conventional markers such as left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and late gadolinium enhancement (LGE). Scientifically and clinically, LACI offers a practical cine-based biomarker to capture LA–LV remodeling interplay for improved DCM risk stratification.
Jiang YJ, Hou XC, Tao J et al. · Journal of magnetic resonance imaging : JMRI · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
SGLT2 inhibitors are associated with reductions in epicardial adipose tissue volume and thickness: a meta-analysis.
This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated whether sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2 inhibitors) reduce epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) volume and thickness based on serial measurements from studies published between 2000 and 2025. The key finding was that SGLT2 inhibitor therapy was associated with reductions in EAT volume and thickness compared with baseline and/or control therapies. This provides mechanistic and clinical support for SGLT2 inhibitors’ cardiometabolic effects beyond glycemic control, potentially via modulation of metabolically active pericardial fat.
Khanna S, Kalman E, Thungathurthi K et al. · International journal of obesity (2005) · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Diagnostic of Pathological Q Waves in a Young Patient Without Coronary Disease.
This JACC Case Reports article describes an 18-year-old asymptomatic man with pathological septal Q waves on ECG but without known coronary disease, using multimodality cardiac imaging with emphasis on cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) for tissue characterization. The report highlights how CMR can clarify the differential diagnosis and guide risk stratification when ECG findings are atypical and not explained by coronary pathology. Clinically, it underscores the value of CMR in young patients with pathological Q waves to distinguish benign mimics from potentially serious myocardial disease.
Figueroa-Galván FS, Alanís-Naranjo JM, González-Najera MF et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Epicardial adipose tissue is associated with impaired outcomes in genotype-positive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
This retrospective European Journal of Heart Failure study quantified epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) volume by cardiovascular magnetic resonance in genotype-positive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) patients and related it to malignant ventricular arrhythmias (MVA) and heart failure outcomes. Higher EAT volume was associated with worse outcomes, including increased risk of sustained ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation and adverse clinical endpoints. The results suggest that EAT burden is a useful prognostic biomarker in genotype-positive HCM beyond genotype alone.
Mahmoud B, Koppelaar AJ, Michels M et al. · European journal of heart failure · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
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) for prognostic impact in patients with end-stage hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) defined by left ventricular ejection fraction <50%. LGE granularity modeling was assessed as a prognostic marker in end-stage HCM, aiming to clarify how LGE characteristics relate to outcomes in this high-risk population. If validated, LGE granularity could improve risk stratification beyond conventional LGE measures in end-stage HCM.
Hudelo J, Garot J, Toupin S et al. · Circulation. Cardiovascular imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Distinct CMR Phenotype in Alcoholic Cardiomyopathy: Greater Myocardial Fibrosis and Right Ventricular Dysfunction Compared with Idiopathic Dilated Cardiomyopathy.
This retrospective CMR study compared alcoholic cardiomyopathy (ACM) versus idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in 20 ACM and 128 idiopathic DCM patients, focusing on late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) subpatterns and biventricular function. ACM showed a distinct CMR phenotype characterized by greater myocardial fibrosis and more pronounced right ventricular dysfunction than idiopathic DCM. These CMR differences could help clinicians distinguish ACM from other non-ischemic DCM etiologies and refine prognosis and management.
Vallejo-García V, Barreiro-Pérez M, González-Calle D et al. · Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland) · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Cardiac Remodeling Phenotypes After MI
Traditional left ventricular indices outperform novel cardiovascular magnetic resonance-derived left atrial parameters in predicting adverse left ventricular remodelling after ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.
This post-hoc analysis of the EURO-ICE trial compared prognostic performance of traditional left ventricular (LV) indices versus novel cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR)-derived left atrial parameters (including LA strain and left atrioventricular coupling index, LACI) for predicting early adverse LV remodeling after anterior ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in 200 patients. Traditional LV indices outperformed the novel LA-derived CMR parameters in predicting adverse LV remodeling. The results suggest that, for early post-STEMI remodeling risk prediction, conventional LV CMR measures may be more clinically reliable than newer LA coupling/strain metrics.
Yosofi B, Zelis JM, Raafs A et al. · International journal of cardiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Rethinking Post-Infarction Remodeling: Identification and Validation of Data-Driven Cardiac MRI Phenotypes for Risk Stratification.
This prospective longitudinal study used unsupervised clustering of longitudinal cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) data to identify and validate post-infarction left ventricular remodeling phenotypes in reperfused STEMI patients. The key finding was that data-driven remodeling phenotypes derived from CMR trajectories had improved prognostic stratification compared with conventional adverse left ventricular remodeling definitions based on changes in end-diastolic volume index and ejection fraction. This provides a more precise, phenotype-based approach for risk prediction after STEMI using routine CMR follow-up.
Xiang JY, Wu J, Zhao Y et al. · European heart journal. Cardiovascular Imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Myocarditis & Inflammatory Heart Disease (including SLE myocarditis)
18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography and rest myocardial perfusion imaging in non-granulomatous myocarditis.
In a multicenter prospective observational feasibility study, investigators evaluated combined 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET/CT with rest myocardial perfusion imaging (rMPI) for diagnosing non-granulomatous myocarditis in patients undergoing CMR, with endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) or adjudicated clinical diagnosis as the reference standard. The key finding was the diagnostic performance of the combined PET/rMPI approach for myocarditis compared with CMR-based assessment. Clinically, this supports the potential role of integrated FDG-PET and perfusion imaging to improve noninvasive diagnosis of myocarditis when EMB is unavailable.
Lucinian YA, Martineau P, Harel F et al. · European journal of nuclear medicine and molecular imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Coronary Vasospasm and Myopericarditis Presenting as ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction During Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy.
This case report studied a 53-year-old man with metastatic clear-cell renal cell carcinoma receiving immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy (ipilimumab plus nivolumab) who developed ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction–like presentation. Coronary angiography initially showed severe triple-vessel disease without a culprit lesion, repeat angiography demonstrated resolution consistent with coronary vasospasm, and cardiac magnetic resonance confirmed ICI-associated myocarditis alongside concurrent hypophysitis causing secondary adrenal insufficiency. The findings underscore that ICI-related myocarditis with vasospasm can mimic acute coronary syndrome and requires prompt CMR-based diagnosis to guide management and prevent fatal immune-related complications.
Bani Ali M, Sherif A, Hakemi E · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · 1 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Atrial Function by Long Axis Shortening Enhances Risk Stratification Beyond Traditional CMR Markers in Possible Myocarditis.
This study evaluated whether left atrial (LA) and right atrial (RA) long axis shortening (LAS) measured by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) improves risk stratification beyond traditional CMR markers in patients meeting 2025 ESC criteria for “possible myocarditis.” The key finding was that atrial functional impairment assessed by CMR LAS was associated with major cardiovascular adverse events (MACE) and provided incremental prognostic value beyond standard metrics such as LVEF and CMR late gadolinium enhancement (LGE). Clinically, incorporating atrial LAS into CMR assessment may refine prognosis in possible myocarditis and better identify patients at higher risk for adverse outcomes.
Ciocca N, Brändle D, Riederer L et al. · JACC. Cardiovascular imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Inaugural cardiac involvement in Goodpasture syndrome: a case report.
This case report describes inaugural cardiac involvement in Goodpasture syndrome (anti-GBM disease) in a 44-year-old Tunisian woman presenting with NSTEMI-like symptoms and elevated troponin. Cardiac MRI showed transmural myocardial necrosis, and subsequent development of massive hemoptysis, ARDS, and acute kidney injury led to diagnosis of anti-GBM disease. The report highlights that CMR-detected myocardial necrosis can be an early clue to systemic anti-GBM vasculitis when initial presentation mimics acute coronary syndrome.
Lassoued T, Ferjani S, Abbassi M et al. · Journal of medical case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Serum vs. tissue cytokine dysregulation in SLE-associated myocarditis: a hypothesis from an African cohort perspective.
The study investigated serum versus cardiac tissue cytokine dysregulation in African mixed-ancestry cohorts of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients with and without lupus myocarditis (LM), using immunoassays for serum cytokines and correlating tissue inflammatory profiles with standard-of-care (SOC) biomarkers and cardiac MRI (CMR) findings. The key finding was that cardiac tissue inflammatory cytokine patterns were dysregulated in LM and showed meaningful correlation with SOC measures, supporting the hypothesis that tissue-level immune activation better reflects LM pathobiology than serum alone. This is clinically significant because it identifies cytokine signatures that could improve mechanistic understanding and potentially refine diagnosis/risk stratification of subclinical and clinical LM in SLE patients.
Ollewagen T, Toit RD, Karamchand S et al. · Molecular medicine (Cambridge, Mass.) · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Cardiac Sarcoidosis & FDG PET
FDG PET for cardiac sarcoidosis: Protocol optimization, quantification, pitfalls, and multimodality imaging integration.
This review article synthesized evidence on FDG PET in cardiac sarcoidosis (CS), focusing on protocol optimization, quantification methods, common pitfalls, and how PET findings integrate with multimodality imaging including echocardiography and cardiac MRI. The key finding was that standardized PET preparation/quantification and awareness of interpretive pitfalls are crucial for accurate CS diagnosis and for harmonizing PET with CMR and other modalities in probabilistic diagnostic frameworks. Clinically, this is important because it guides best practices to improve diagnostic accuracy and management decisions in a heterogeneous disease with major risks such as arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death.
Wopperer SB, Kronzer E, Ivare J et al. · Seminars in nuclear medicine · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Cardiac Amyloidosis & Multi-chamber Function
The Diagnostic and Prognostic Value of Multi-Chamber Strain Analysis by Cardiac MRI in Amyloidosis.
This retrospective study quantified multi-chamber myocardial strain on cardiac MRI in 47 patients with cardiac amyloidosis and tested diagnostic and prognostic performance, including correlations with native T1 mapping and Query Amyloid Late Enhancement (QALE). The key finding was that strain parameters across ventricles and atria correlated with amyloid imaging markers (native T1 and QALE/LGE) and were associated with major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) during follow-up. This supports multi-chamber strain as a noninvasive CMR biomarker for both characterization and risk prediction in amyloidosis.
Chilkuri SK, Dsouza R, Houbois C et al. · Journal of thoracic imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Cardiac Tumors & Intracardiac Masses (Myxoma/Fibroma/Glomangioma/Lymphoma/Metastasis)
Coronary-Sparing Resection of a Pediatric Left Ventricular Fibroma Involving the Left Circumflex Artery: Six-Year Follow-Up.
This case report describes a 3-month-old girl with a left ventricular (LV) fibroma involving the left circumflex coronary artery, where multimodality imaging (cardiac MRI and coronary angiography) guided coronary-sparing partial tumor resection and mitral valvuloplasty. At 23 months, the surgical approach preserved the intratumoral left circumflex artery, and six-year follow-up documented durable outcomes despite progressive tumor-related mitral regurgitation and lung compression. The report highlights the clinical value of detailed coronary mapping with CMR/angiography to plan safe, coronary-sparing surgery for pediatric LV fibromas.
Lopes MS, Amaral ME, Francisco A et al. · World journal for pediatric & congenital heart surgery · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Interconnected Biatrial Myxoma Spanning the Fossa Ovalis: Management Based on Multimodality Imaging.
This case report studied a 74-year-old woman with an exceptionally rare biatrial myxoma variant in which a single tumor traversed the interatrial septum through the fossa ovalis, forming two synchronous masses. Multimodality imaging with transesophageal echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance, and computed tomography confirmed a continuous stalk crossing the septum, and complete en bloc surgical resection was achieved with an uncomplicated recovery aside from transient sinus bradycardia. The report highlights how multimodality CMR/CT/TEE can define complex interatrial myxoma anatomy to guide safe surgical planning and risk reduction.
Herrera JCU, Madogolele HDCN, Nastari RR et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Early Recurrence of Cardiac Myxomas in an Adolescent With Carney Complex: Clinical Clues Preceding Imaging Findings-A Case Report.
This case report describes an adolescent with Carney complex who developed early recurrence of cardiac myxomas, with clinical clues preceding imaging findings, despite negative genetic testing. The patient had multiple intracardiac myxomas confirmed at age 14 and later developed new masses initially misinterpreted as thrombi, illustrating the high recurrence risk in Carney complex. The report emphasizes the need for vigilant surveillance and careful differential diagnosis in young patients with Carney complex when new intracardiac masses appear.
Abarca-Rozas B, Saavedra F, Retamal JP et al. · Case reports in cardiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Unveiling the invisible: the role of multimodality imaging in diagnosing primary cardiac lymphoma.
This case report studied a 54-year-old woman with suspected acute coronary syndrome whose initial transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) showed a peri-atrial mass, and who underwent cardiac computed tomography (CCT) to differentiate cardiac lymphoma from coronary disease. CCT excluded coronary artery disease and instead demonstrated a hypodense peri-atrial process with an “encasement sign,” highlighting multimodality imaging features that can reveal primary cardiac lymphoma (PCL). The report emphasizes that integrating TTE with CCT can improve diagnostic accuracy for PCL, which often mimics other cardiac conditions and is frequently missed.
Aronovich A, Sarid N, Hirsh M et al. · The international journal of cardiovascular imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Left Ventricular Metastasis from Hepatocellular Carcinoma Presenting With Systemic Embolization and Stroke.
This JACC Case Reports article described a 71-year-old man with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who presented with systemic embolization and stroke, with a left ventricular (LV) mass ultimately diagnosed as metastasis. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) supported LV metastatic involvement after echocardiography initially suggested thrombus, and the clinical picture was consistent with malignancy-associated emboli. The case emphasizes that CMR and multimodality imaging can distinguish cardiac metastasis from thrombus in HCC patients with embolic stroke.
Rashwan R, Kholeif Z, Vega-Sanabria B et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
New-Onset Atrial Flutter Revealing a Large Right Coronary Artery to Superior Vena Cava Fistula.
This JACC Case Reports article described a 63-year-old man with new-onset atrial flutter whose symptoms were ultimately attributed to a large right coronary artery to superior vena cava (RCA–SVC) fistula. Multimodality imaging with coronary computed tomography angiography and cardiac magnetic resonance, confirmed by cardiac catheterization, identified the fistula and associated right-sided chamber dilation. The successful transcatheter coil embolization highlights an actionable diagnostic pathway and treatment option for arrhythmia presentations caused by coronary fistulas.
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.
A surgical case report described a giant cardiac glomangioma in a patient with extensive intravascular extension from the right ventricular free wall into the right atrium and inferior vena cava, reaching the left common iliac vein. The tumor was successfully treated with surgical excision with an excellent clinical outcome. This rare presentation highlights the need for multimodality imaging and aggressive surgical planning for visceral/intravascular cardiac glomangioma.
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.
This prospective diagnostic accuracy study evaluated integrated multimodality imaging strategies using echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), cardiac computed tomography (CCT), and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) PET to identify malignant cardiac masses, using histology as the reference standard. It compared multiparametric scores derived from each modality individually and in combination to determine which integrated approach best discriminated malignant from benign cardiac masses. Improved integrated imaging performance could streamline diagnostic pathways and reduce unnecessary invasive procedures for suspected cardiac tumors.
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, evaluated using transthoracic and transoesophageal echocardiography, CT with FDG PET, cardiac MRI, and endomyocardial biopsy. The key finding was that multimodality imaging and biopsy supported the diagnosis of a large right ventricular myxoma, and surgical excision with tricuspid valve repair led to treatment. The clinical significance lies in highlighting a diagnostic pathway for intracardiac masses that can present with systemic complications, emphasizing the value of integrated imaging when symptoms are atypical.
Shah S, Gill JS, Gill J et al. · BMJ case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Coronary Microvascular Dysfunction & MINOCA Mechanisms
Isolated First Septal Perforator Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection Causing Acute Myocardial Infarction.
This case report studied a 48-year-old man with acute myocardial infarction due to isolated spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) confined to the first septal perforator (S1). Coronary angiography showed type 1 SCAD limited to S1 and cardiac magnetic resonance confirmed a transmural septal infarction, and the patient was managed conservatively with antiplatelet and beta-blocker therapy with uncomplicated recovery. The case emphasizes that isolated S1 SCAD—rare and often managed noninvasively—can present in men and should be recognized using angiography plus CMR to confirm infarct extent.
Karlsson RA, Birrane JP, O’Hanlon R et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Diagnostic evaluation of myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries in a young patient: suspected coronary embolism from a calcified bicuspid aortic valve.
This BMJ case report studied a young patient with myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) in whom coronary embolism was suspected to originate from a calcified bicuspid aortic valve. The key finding was that coronary angiography showed no significant coronary obstruction, while transthoracic echocardiography and cardiac MRI identified severe calcific bicuspid aortic stenosis with moderate aortic regurgitation and nearly transmural infarction in the anterolateral distribution. The case highlights the clinical significance of considering valvular sources of emboli and using CMR to confirm infarct pattern when MINOCA is present.
Ruksuthee C, Theerasuwipakorn N, Boonyaratavej S et al. · BMJ case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Multimodality Imaging to Determine Underlying Causes of Myocardial Infarction With Nonobstructive Coronary Arteries in Women and Men.
This international prospective diagnostic study characterized underlying mechanisms of myocardial infarction with nonobstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) and predictors of abnormal findings using multimodality imaging in men and women enrolled across 28 sites in the US, Canada, and UK. Imaging abnormalities were linked to specific MINOCA etiologies and the study assessed which patient factors predicted abnormal imaging results, including evaluation of sex differences. The work supports more tailored imaging strategies for MINOCA to improve diagnostic accuracy and downstream management.
Reynolds HR, Maehara A, Heydari B et al. · Circulation · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Myocardial Infarction With Nonobstructive Coronary Arteries With Coronary Microvascular Dysfunction Associated With Systemic Sclerosis: Case Report.
This case report described myocardial infarction with nonobstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) due to coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) in a patient with systemic sclerosis (SSc), using invasive coronary physiology testing and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR). The authors linked SSc-associated small-vessel vasculopathy to CMD as the mechanism of MINOCA, supported by invasive indices such as the index of microvascular resistance (IMR) and coronary flow reserve (CFR) alongside CMR findings. The report underscores the value of invasive coronary function testing and CMR to establish mechanism in SSc patients presenting with MINOCA.
Ohga Y, Nishikawa T, Hirai A et al. · Case reports in vascular medicine · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Ischemic Injury, Viability & Collateral Circulation
Rentrop collateral grade predicts myocardial viability in chronic total occlusion on cardiac magnetic resonance.
This study evaluated whether angiographic Rentrop collateral grade in 56 patients with chronic total occlusion (CTO) predicts myocardial viability measured with quantitative cardiac MRI. Viable myocardium was defined using late gadolinium enhancement as ≤50% transmural scar, and the key finding was that higher Rentrop collateral grades were associated with greater tissue-level viability and related quantitative perfusion/scar metrics within CTO territories. These results suggest that a simple angiographic collateral grading system can help infer CMR-defined viability, potentially informing revascularization decisions.
Mehmood Z, Suresh P, Li R et al. · Open heart · (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 evaluated whether pre-perfusion coronary wedge pressure (CWP) measured during balloon occlusion predicts microvascular obstruction (MVO) on cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) in anterior ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients undergoing timely primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI). The key finding was that CWP obtained during coronary occlusion provides clinically relevant information about microvascular compromise that is not captured by post-reperfusion indices like IMR. This supports using CWP as an early invasive marker to better identify patients at risk for MVO and adverse left ventricular remodeling.
Butt H, van Beek K, Sajjad U et al. · International journal of cardiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Right Heart Function & Pulmonary Vascular Disease (incl. RV diastology)
Advanced right ventricular evaluation in pulmonary hypertension: the role of 3D echocardiography and strain analysis.
This study evaluated whether semiautomated three-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography (3D echo) and right ventricular (RV) free-wall strain can discriminate clinical risk groups in pulmonary hypertension compared with cMRI, enrolling 49 patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) or chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). 3D echo-derived RV size/function measures and RV free-wall strain were assessed alongside cMRI to determine their ability to separate low versus non-low clinical risk categories. If confirmed, 3D echocardiography with strain could provide a more accessible, less resource-intensive alternative to cMRI for RV risk stratification in PAH/CTEPH.
Amiri U, Keceli E, Andersen MØ et al. · European heart journal. Imaging methods and practice · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Prognostic Implications of Coronary Microvascular Dysfunction in ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction by Obesity Status.
This multicentre prospective cohort study assessed coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) defined by an angiography-derived index of microcirculatory resistance (angio-IMR >40 U) in 497 STEMI patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI), stratified by obesity category (BMI <24, 24–28, ≥28 kg/m²). CMD prevalence and its prognostic implications were evaluated for long-term cardiovascular outcomes across obesity strata. The study supports angio-IMR as a clinically relevant marker of CMD risk in STEMI and suggests that obesity status may modify the relationship between microvascular dysfunction and outcomes.
Guo Q, Guo Y, Shi S et al. · Diabetes, obesity & metabolism · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Two decades of pulmonary vascular disease and ischemic heart disease mortality in the united states: A longitudinal analysis using CDC WONDER (1999-2020).
This longitudinal analysis used CDC WONDER data (1999–2020) to study mortality trends and demographic disparities for pulmonary vascular disease (PVD) and ischemic heart disease (IHD) in U.S. adults aged ≥45 years. It reported that combined PVD and IHD deaths were substantial and that age-adjusted mortality rates increased over time, with trends quantified using Joinpoint regression (including APC). The findings provide epidemiologic evidence of worsening cardiovascular mortality burden and can guide public health prioritization and resource allocation.
Nawaz A, Hafeezullah F, Siddiqui ZA et al. · Journal of thrombosis and thrombolysis · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Hemodynamic and metabolomic responses to infusion of GLP-1 agonist exenatide in pulmonary arterial hypertension.
This JCI Insight first-in-disease study tested acute effects of the GLP-1 receptor agonist exenatide given intravenously during right heart catheterization in patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and CTEPH, alongside a monocrotaline (MCT) PAH rodent model. Exenatide was well tolerated and produced acute hemodynamic improvements (including reduced mean pulmonary artery pressure) with multisite metabolomic changes, and CMR was used to assess effects in the animal model. The study supports further investigation of GLP-1 agonist therapy as a potential disease-modifying or symptom-improving strategy in PAH.
Samaranayake CB, Niglas M, Baxan N et al. · JCI insight · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Right Heart Diastology, Where Are We Now?
This 2026 review synthesized current evidence on right heart diastology in patients with pulmonary vascular disease, heart failure, and congenital heart disease, focusing on how right atrial function, right ventricular compliance, and pulmonary arterial load interact. It reframes right ventricular diastolic dysfunction as a unified diastolic unit in which abnormalities in relaxation and compliance often precede overt right-sided systolic failure. Clinically, this conceptual framework supports earlier detection and more consistent measurement of right heart diastolic dysfunction to improve prognosis.
Kocx CJ, Hemnes AR, Healy J et al. · Circulation research · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Metabolomics & Omics for Cardiac Dysfunction
Beyond target lesions: Prognostic value of longitudinal AI-derived whole-body [1⁸F]FDG PET/CT metrics in metastatic melanoma.
This study evaluated an AI-based semi-automated tool for longitudinal whole-body [18F]FDG PET/CT quantification of total metabolic tumor volume (TMTV) and total lesion glycolysis (TLG) in 43 patients with unresectable metastatic melanoma receiving immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy. Longitudinal AI-derived changes in whole-body metabolic metrics beyond individual target lesions were prognostic for outcomes and provided additional prognostic relevance alongside established PET-based metabolic response criteria. These findings support using AI-derived whole-body metabolic trajectories to better risk-stratify metastatic melanoma patients on ICIs, potentially improving treatment monitoring beyond RECIST-like lesion-based assessment.
Sachpekidis C, Vagenas TP, Müller M et al. · European journal of nuclear medicine and molecular imaging · (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, PH group 1 status, and sex. Metabolite associations with RV systolic function were evaluated using RV functional metrics from echocardiography (fractional area change, global longitudinal strain) and cardiac magnetic resonance (ejection fraction). The findings aim to define metabolic mechanisms of RV dysfunction beyond group 1 PH and could enable biomarker-driven risk prediction or targeted therapies.
Chacon-Barahona J, Chung SJ, Garry JD et al. · Circulation research · (2026) · 1 citations · View on PubMed ↗
Ectopic/Arrhythmia Substrates & Electrophysiology (ablation/INa,L/EP AI)
AI in the EP Lab - Mapping, Imaging, and Signal Interpretation.
This article reviewed how artificial intelligence (AI) is being applied in electrophysiology (EP) laboratories for mapping, imaging, and signal interpretation. The key finding is that AI can integrate multimodal electrical and imaging data to reduce inter-observer variability, improve identification of arrhythmogenic substrate, and support procedural decision-making and outcome prediction, including via patient-specific “cardiac digital twins.” Scientifically and clinically, these capabilities may accelerate more personalized EP planning and hypothesis testing, potentially improving ablation targeting and safety.
Anand AB, Rajawat K · Indian pacing and electrophysiology journal · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Targeting Arrhythmogenic Late Sodium Current by FHF1A-Derivative FixR in Heart Failure Cardiomyocytes.
This study investigated whether targeting the arrhythmogenic late sodium current (INa,L) via an FHF1A-derivative “FixR” (FHF inhibiting x region) modulates INa,L in heart failure cardiomyocytes, using reverse-transcriptase quantitative PCR to profile cardiac sodium channel and FHF splice isoforms in human HFrEF and translational animal models. FixR altered INa,L and related electrophysiologic behavior in cardiomyocytes, supporting FHF1A-pathway involvement in INa,L regulation in heart failure. Scientifically, it identifies a potential therapeutic strategy to reduce proarrhythmic INa,L in HFrEF by pharmacologically targeting FHF-mediated regulation.
Hegyi B, Angsutararux P, Chakouri N et al. · Circulation research · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
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 assessed by late gadolinium enhancement cardiac magnetic resonance (LGE-CMR). Epicardial PVC ablation was analyzed for acute and long-term procedural success after stratifying patients by the presence of cardiac scar. The findings clarify how myocardial scar burden influences the effectiveness and planning of epicardial PVC ablation strategies.
Jiwani S, Arps K, Shah M et al. · Journal of interventional cardiac electrophysiology : an international journal of arrhythmias and pacing · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Valvular Heart Disease & Congenital/Complex Physiology (Fontan/Ebstein/Mitral annular disjunction)
Cardiac arrest secondary to mitral annular disjunction: a case report.
This case report studied a woman in her 40s who suffered out-of-hospital ventricular fibrillation cardiac arrest in the setting of mitral annular disjunction with bileaflet mitral valve prolapse. The key finding was that she achieved return of spontaneous circulation after rapid bystander CPR and multiple defibrillation shocks, with the underlying valvular substrate recognized as a malignant arrhythmia risk condition. The report reinforces the clinical significance of identifying mitral annular disjunction/bileaflet mitral valve prolapse as a high-risk substrate for sudden cardiac arrest.
Smman A, Meurgey JH, Khiani R et al. · European heart journal. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Measuring Atrioventricular Valve Regurgitation in Fontan Patients Using Cardiac MRI and the Association with Clinical Outcomes: A FORCE Study.
This multicenter FORCE study evaluated how to measure atrioventricular valve regurgitation (AVVR) in Fontan patients using cardiac MRI (CMR) and whether quantitative CMR AVVR relates to clinical outcomes. The key finding was that CMR-based quantitative regurgitant fraction measurements were compared against echocardiographic AVVR severity categories and were used to assess associations with post-Fontan adverse outcomes in the Fontan Outcome Registry using CMR Examination (FORCE). The study’s significance is that it supports CMR as a quantitative tool for AVVR assessment in Fontan physiology, potentially improving risk prediction beyond echocardiography alone.
Li Y, Schiff M, Olivieri L et al. · Journal of cardiovascular magnetic resonance : official journal of the Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Cone reconstruction for EBSTEIN anomaly: Effect on tricuspid valve growth and biventricular remodeling in children.
This retrospective study evaluated cone reconstruction (CR) in 17 paediatric patients (<18 years) with Ebstein anomaly (Carpentier types A/B/C) using echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) to assess tricuspid valve (TV) growth and biventricular remodeling. Cone reconstruction without prosthetic annuloplasty materials was associated with no operative mortality, with postoperative TV and ventricular outcomes tracked over follow-up. These findings support CR as a valve-sparing surgical strategy that may promote native TV growth and favorable biventricular remodeling in children with Ebstein anomaly.
Lee JH, Kim WH, Baek SM et al. · Interdisciplinary cardiovascular and thoracic surgery · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Smaller Right Ventricle Results in Poorer Exercise Performance in Young Patients With Repaired Tetralogy of Fallot.
This study examined 37 young patients (mean age 17±5 years) with surgically repaired tetralogy of Fallot (rTOF) and pulmonary insufficiency (PI) to determine how right ventricular (RV) size relates to exercise performance using cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) and CMR. Smaller right ventricular volumes were associated with poorer exercise capacity, with oxygen pulse (V̇O2/heart rate) used as a surrogate for stroke volume and correlated against CMR measures. Clinically, the findings support RV size/volume assessment as a functional prognostic marker that may help refine timing and targets for pulmonary valve replacement in rTOF.
Mhanna C, Kourpas K, Tsuda T · Circulation journal : official journal of the Japanese Circulation Society · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Rotator Cuff Repair With Bone Marrow Stimulation Versus Rotator Cuff Repair With Patch Augmentation: A Systematic Review.
This systematic review compared rotator cuff repair (RCR) augmented with bone marrow stimulation (BMS) versus RCR augmented with patch augmentation (PA) across Level 1–2 studies. The key outcomes were clinical efficacy and retear rates, synthesized to determine whether one adjunct improves tendon healing or reduces retear compared with the other. The review informs surgical decision-making on which biologic/construct-support strategy may better optimize repair durability.
Lim JJ, McCarty C, Belk JW et al. · Orthopaedic journal of sports medicine · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Eosinophilic/Genetic/Other Systemic Cardiac Conditions & Epidemiology
Nivolumab with or without vinblastine for first-line treatment of elderly patients with Hodgkin lymphoma and coexisting medical conditions: the Niviniho phase II Lysa study.
The Niviniho phase II LYSA trial studied first-line treatment strategies for treatment-naive elderly Hodgkin lymphoma patients aged ≥61 years with comorbidities, using nivolumab induction followed by consolidation with either nivolumab alone or nivolumab plus vinblastine based on metabolic response. The key finding was the complete metabolic response (CMR) rate at end of treatment, with outcomes stratified by whether patients achieved early complete metabolic response versus stable/partial response. This regimen offers a chemotherapy-sparing option for older, medically unfit HL patients by tailoring consolidation intensity to response.
Lazarovici J, Amorim S, Bouabdallah K et al. · Haematologica · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Synergistic enhancement mechanism of biochar from Chinese medicine residue for tetracycline hydrochloride removal.
This environmental engineering study investigated converting Chinese medicine residue into biochar using hydrothermal and KOH pretreatment followed by high-temperature pyrolysis for tetracycline hydrochloride (T-HCl) removal. The key finding was that the combined hydrothermal + KOH treatment produced biochar (KHRB) with a highly developed pore structure (specific surface area 1589 ± 24.62 m2/g) and markedly enhanced adsorption performance for T-HCl compared with single treatments. The significance is that valorizing Chinese medicine waste into high-surface-area biochar can provide an effective adsorbent for antibiotic-contaminated wastewater.
Xu E, Song X, Liu Y et al. · Journal of environmental management · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
An international randomised controlled trial of a novel antimicrobial dressing for peripheral intravenous catheters (ProP trial).
The ProP trial assessed feasibility and preliminary clinical outcomes of a chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG)-impregnated antimicrobial dressing for peripheral intravenous catheters (PIVCs) in an international, multicenter, open-label, two-arm adaptive randomized controlled trial in Australia. The study aimed to determine whether CHG-impregnated dressings reduce PIVC complications such as phlebitis and potentially infectious events while informing future definitive trials. If effective, this strategy could lower PIVC-associated morbidity and reduce antimicrobial use in routine hospital care.
Drugeon B, Ball DL, Kleidon TM et al. · Antimicrobial resistance and infection control · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Apical Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy in ATTR Val142Ile Carrier: When Genes and Phenotype Diverge.
This JACC Case Reports report described a 61-year-old African-American man carrying the pathogenic transthyretin (TTR) V142I variant who had a longstanding phenotype of apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (ApHCM). Despite genotype positivity, technetium-99m pyrophosphate scintigraphy showed no evidence of ATTR cardiac amyloidosis (H/CL 1.01, visual grade 0) and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) confirmed apical-predominant hypertrophy with patchy late gadolinium enhancement, supporting a phenocopy rather than true ATTR cardiomyopathy. The case illustrates the clinical importance of using imaging (scintigraphy and CMR) to resolve genotype–phenotype divergence and guide appropriate management in TTR V142I carriers.
Khayat O, Moumneh MB, Salman O et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Analysis of OSCE-based clinical competency assessment among critical care medicine residents in Zhejiang Province, China: a multicenter retrospective cohort study.
This multicenter retrospective cohort study analyzed OSCE-based clinical competency assessment data from 175 critical care medicine residents across seven standardized residency training bases in Zhejiang Province, China (2023–2025). It evaluated multi-station OSCE performance to identify educational gaps and differences by training base. The results are intended to inform targeted improvements in critical care residency training using station-level competency data.
Chen C, Mao W, Cai K et al. · BMC medical education · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Association of COVID-19 public health measures with cardiac non-invasive testing utilisation in Ontario, Canada: a population-based, retrospective time series analysis.
This population-based retrospective time series analysis studied how COVID-19 public health measures affected utilization of cardiac non-invasive testing (NIT) in Ontario, Canada, using registry data across pre- and post-lockdown periods. The key finding was that cardiac NIT use changed after the implementation of provincial lockdown measures, reflecting pandemic-related disruptions in diagnostic services. These results highlight how system-level public health interventions can alter cardiovascular diagnostic pathways at the population level.
Lin E, Mendis B, Odugbemi T et al. · BMJ open · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Coronary artery Ectatic/Aneurysmatic disease: From pathophysiology to management.
This narrative review synthesized current knowledge on coronary artery ectatic/aneurysmatic disease (CAE/CAA), focusing on pathophysiology and management across adult and pediatric etiologies. It highlighted that CAE/CAA arises from multifactorial mechanisms (including atherosclerosis, genetic predisposition, systemic autoimmunity, and infectious triggers) and increases risks of thrombosis, embolization, and acute coronary syndromes even without obstructive coronary disease. The review is clinically significant because it frames diagnostic evaluation and treatment strategies tailored to underlying causes and associated thrombotic risk.
Markousis-Mavrogenis G, Ebrahimihoor E, Lima JAC et al. · Progress in cardiovascular diseases · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Sustained and discontinued operational changes to ethics committees in the post-pandemic era: a qualitative study in Kenya.
This qualitative study explored sustained versus discontinued operational changes to ethics committee (EC) processes after the COVID-19 pandemic in Kenya. It examined how ECs adapted their review workflows during public health emergencies and which pandemic-era operational adjustments were retained or dropped afterward. The findings are important for strengthening resilient research oversight systems for future public health emergencies while maintaining participant protections.
Kebenei E, Cheruiyot D, Bukusi EA et al. · BMC medical ethics · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Filamin C Genetic Cardiomyopathy Presenting as Acute Myocardial Injury.
This JACC Case Reports report described a 46-year-old man with acute myocardial injury characterized by ring-like subepicardial LGE on cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) and no myocardial edema, followed by genetic testing. A pathogenic variant in the FLNC gene (filamin C) was identified, and follow-up showed persistent fibrosis with preserved ventricular function and no arrhythmias. The case highlights FLNC-associated cardiomyopathy as a diagnostic consideration for nonischemic CMR patterns presenting as acute myocardial injury.
Alexandrino FB, Curtis B, Nguyen C et al. · JACC. Case reports · (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 c.1100T>C (p.Ile367Thr) variant with discordant cardiomyopathy phenotypes. The brother developed progressive cardiomyopathy with extensive LGE fibrosis over 7 years despite partial reverse remodeling, illustrating variable cardiac expression within the same genotype. The case underscores that even with a shared homozygous FKRP variant, cardiac phenotype severity and fibrosis distribution can differ markedly, complicating genotype-to-phenotype prediction.
Mahon N, Coad S, Kiamanesh O · JACC. Case reports · (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 the epidemiology, aetiology, diagnosis, and management of heart involvement in eosinophilia/eosinophilic heart disease, emphasizing that organ biopsy may be essential even when peripheral blood eosinophilia is absent. The key finding was that eosinophilic cardiac disease is frequently underrecognized and often diagnosed late, and that early recognition requires heightened awareness and tissue-based confirmation in selected patients. This is significant because it provides a practical framework to improve early diagnosis and guide management to reduce cardiac morbidity and mortality.
Kuchynka P, Brucato A, Tschöpe C et al. · European journal of heart failure · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Generated automatically on May 28, 2026. Covers PubMed articles published May 21, 2026 – May 28, 2026. Summaries are AI-generated; always consult the original publication for clinical or research decisions.