What's New in Cardiac MRI? — May 31, 2026
AI-summarised digest of 48 PubMed articles on Cardiac MRI published in the last 7 days.
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What’s New in Cardiac MRI?
May 31, 2026 · 48 articles · 15 research themes · covering May 24, 2026 – May 31, 2026
Overview
Across this week’s set, a dominant theme is the expanding role of cardiac MRI (CMR) as a quantitative, tissue-specific, and risk-stratifying tool—often using metrics derived from routine cine or mapping sequences. Several studies show how CMR-derived indices (e.g., left atrioventricular coupling index, atrial/ventricular strain, pulmonary transit time, and atrial long-axis shortening) can add prognostic value beyond conventional measures in dilated cardiomyopathy, myocarditis phenotypes, HFpEF, and post–STEMI remodeling. Complementing this, work on amyloidosis and fibrosis emphasizes that advanced CMR tissue characterization (T1/T2 mapping, late gadolinium enhancement patterns, and strain–biomarker correlations) can both diagnose and refine risk—while also preventing misclassification (e.g., genotype-positive TTR V142I cases without true ATTR-CM).
A second major thread is multimodality imaging to resolve diagnostic uncertainty in complex or rare cardiac presentations. Case reports highlight how combining CMR with CT/angiography or PET can distinguish malignancy, autoimmune cardiac involvement, and immune-checkpoint–related myocarditis/vasospasm from acute coronary syndromes. In ischemic syndromes such as MINOCA and chronic total occlusion, imaging phenotyping (including stress CMR and quantitative CMR viability) helps identify mechanisms and predict outcomes. Parallel efforts in pulmonary vascular disease and pulmonary hypertension show that imaging surrogates—whether CMR-derived hemodynamic markers or 3D echo–based RV strain—can stratify risk and potentially broaden access when CMR is impractical.
Finally, the digest reflects rapid growth in AI and workflow innovation for cardiovascular care. Deep learning is being applied both to imaging reconstruction/segmentation (improving feasibility in children, young adults, and severely obese patients) and to clinical prediction (heart failure outcomes, cancer-therapy–related cardiac dysfunction, and whole-body PET metabolic trajectories). Together with AI-enabled electrophysiology concepts (digital twins and standardized substrate interpretation), these studies point toward a future where imaging data are not only acquired more efficiently, but also translated into more consistent, mechanism-aware risk models.
Cardiac MRI/Imaging Reconstruction & Acquisition Optimization
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 SSFP (bSSFP) cine cardiac MRI in children and young adults across multiple acceleration factors and breath-held versus free-breathing protocols. SonicDL enabled diagnostic image quality and accurate ventricular volumetry while reducing scan time and breath-hold burden compared with conventional cine acquisitions. These findings support using DL-accelerated cine CMR to improve feasibility and efficiency of ventricular function assessment in pediatric/young adult patients who struggle with repeated breath-holds.
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 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 scanner with prototype cine, parametric mapping, phase-contrast flow, late gadolinium enhancement, and thoracic MR angiography. The key finding was that diagnostic image quality was achieved across comprehensive cardiac and vascular sequences despite conventional 1.5-T/3-T bore and table-weight limitations. This demonstrates a practical imaging pathway for severely obese patients who otherwise face barriers to standard CMR.
Gil KE, Binzel K, Goyal A et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · 1 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Cardiac MRI Quantitative Biomarkers & Risk Prediction (Non-contrast/Low-burden)
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. The key finding was that LACI had prognostic value for adverse events and provided incremental risk stratification beyond conventional markers such as LVEF and late gadolinium enhancement. This supports using a cine-derived, non-contrast/low-burden metric to improve risk stratification in DCM.
Jiang YJ, Hou XC, Tao J et al. · Journal of magnetic resonance imaging : JMRI · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
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 CMR-derived left atrial (LA) 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 CMR-derived LA parameters in predicting adverse LV remodeling. The results inform which CMR metrics are most clinically useful for early post-STEMI risk prediction and remodeling surveillance.
Yosofi B, Zelis JM, Raafs A et al. · International journal of cardiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Cardiac MRI Tissue Characterization (Fibrosis/Amyloid/Strain/Viability)
COVID-19 outcomes and persistent symptoms in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: association with pre-existing cardiovascular magnetic resonance phenotype.
This international registry analysis evaluated whether pre-existing CMR phenotypes in 1704 hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) participants were associated with COVID-19 outcomes and impaired recovery (≥3 months) using patient-reported questionnaires and multivariable logistic regression. The key finding was that certain baseline CMR features were associated with worse COVID-19 outcomes and/or slower recovery after infection. Clinically, it suggests that CMR phenotyping can help identify HCM patients at higher risk for adverse post-COVID trajectories.
Singhal A, Appleby E, Agnel O et al. · Heart (British Cardiac Society) · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
The Diagnostic and Prognostic Value of Multi-Chamber Strain Analysis by Cardiac MRI in Amyloidosis.
This retrospective study examined diagnostic and prognostic performance of multi-chamber myocardial strain on cardiac MRI in 47 patients with cardiac amyloidosis and tested correlations with native T1 mapping and Query Amyloid Late Enhancement (QALE) as well as LGE. Multi-chamber strain parameters were associated with amyloid imaging biomarkers and with major adverse cardiovascular events during follow-up, supporting both diagnostic and prognostic utility. These findings suggest that strain-based CMR metrics may enhance risk assessment in amyloidosis alongside T1/QALE and LGE.
Chilkuri SK, Dsouza R, Houbois C et al. · Journal of thoracic imaging · (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 inhibitors were associated with reductions in EAT volume and thickness compared with baseline and/or control therapies. These results strengthen the mechanistic link between SGLT2i cardioprotection and modulation of metabolically active pericardial fat depots.
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 report describes an 18-year-old asymptomatic man with pathological septal Q waves on ECG but no known coronary disease, using multimodality cardiac imaging with emphasis on cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) for tissue characterization. The case highlights how CMR can clarify the differential diagnosis and guide risk stratification when ECG findings are atypical. Clinically, it underscores the value of advanced imaging to avoid misattributing pathological Q waves to coronary disease in young patients.
Figueroa-Galván FS, Alanís-Naranjo JM, González-Najera MF et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Inaugural cardiac involvement in Goodpasture syndrome: a case report.
This case report describes inaugural cardiac involvement in Goodpasture syndrome in a 44-year-old Tunisian woman presenting with NSTEMI and elevated troponin, later revealing anti-glomerular basement membrane (anti-GBM) disease after hemoptysis, ARDS, and acute kidney injury. Cardiac MRI demonstrated transmural myocardial necrosis, linking the cardiac presentation to the underlying autoimmune process. The report highlights that CMR can be pivotal for diagnosing rare cardiac manifestations of Goodpasture syndrome and for prompting timely recognition of systemic anti-GBM disease.
Lassoued T, Ferjani S, Abbassi M et al. · Journal of medical case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Apical Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy in ATTR Val142Ile Carrier: When Genes and Phenotype Diverge.
This case report studied a 61-year-old African-American man with longstanding apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (ApHCM) who was found to carry the pathogenic transthyretin (TTR) V142I variant, evaluating whether he had true transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM) versus a phenocopy. Despite genotype positivity, technetium-99m pyrophosphate scintigraphy showed no ATTR-CM (H/CL 1.01, visual grade 0) and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging confirmed apical-predominant hypertrophy with patchy late gadolinium enhancement, supporting ApHCM rather than ATTR-CM. The clinical significance is that TTR V142I can show incomplete, age-dependent penetrance, so imaging confirmation (including Tc-99m PYP and CMR) is essential to avoid misclassification and inappropriate amyloidosis-directed therapy.
Khayat O, Moumneh MB, Salman O et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Cardiac MRI in Heart Failure Phenotyping & Outcomes
Microstructural disease and hypoperfusion in dilated cardiomyopathy underpin midwall septal fibrosis.
This prospective CMR study compared dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) patients with midwall septal fibrosis (MSF+) versus without MSF (MSF−) and matched controls to determine whether MSF reflects distinct myocardial microstructural and microvascular abnormalities using advanced 3 Tesla cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR). The key finding was that MSF+ hearts showed a characteristic pattern of microstructural and microvascular impairment detectable by advanced CMR metrics. These results strengthen the mechanistic link between MSF and adverse outcomes in DCM and support advanced CMR as a tool for risk-relevant phenotyping.
Chan FT, Coveney S, Zheng SL et al. · Journal of cardiovascular magnetic resonance : official journal of the Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Machine Learning Model Using Pre-Cancer Therapy Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Images to Predict Cancer Therapy-Related Cardiac Dysfunction.
This multicohort deep learning study used pre-treatment cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) images to predict subsequent cancer therapy-related cardiac dysfunction (CTRCD) in women with HER2+ breast cancer receiving anthracyclines and trastuzumab. The key finding was that a machine learning model trained on baseline (pre-cancer therapy) CMR could predict CTRCD defined by CMR outcomes and performed favorably compared with clinical and conventional imaging models. Scientifically and clinically, it supports using baseline CMR with deep learning for earlier identification of patients at high risk for CTRCD.
Yu C, Peikari M, Labib D et al. · JACC. Cardiovascular imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Cardiac MRI in Myocarditis & Inflammatory Myocardial Disease
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 with “possible myocarditis” meeting 2025 ESC criteria. The key finding was that atrial functional impairment assessed by CMR-derived LAS was associated with major cardiovascular adverse events (MACE) and provided incremental prognostic value beyond LVEF and late gadolinium enhancement (LGE). Clinically, incorporating atrial LAS into CMR assessment may better identify higher-risk patients with possible myocarditis.
Ciocca N, Brändle D, Riederer L et al. · JACC. Cardiovascular imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Nuclear Imaging for Cardiac Inflammation & Oncology Metabolic Tracking
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-FDG PET/CT with rest myocardial perfusion imaging (rMPI) for diagnosing non-granulomatous myocarditis in patients with suspected myocarditis, using endomyocardial biopsy when available or an adjudicated clinical diagnosis otherwise. The key finding was the diagnostic performance of the combined PET/CT plus rMPI approach compared with reference standards for myocarditis. This supports a potentially more informative nuclear imaging strategy for myocarditis phenotyping when biopsy is not always feasible.
Lucinian YA, Martineau P, Harel F et al. · European journal of nuclear medicine and molecular imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
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 treated with immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy. Longitudinal AI-derived changes in whole-body metabolic metrics beyond individual target lesions provided prognostic information and improved risk stratification alongside established PET-based metabolic response criteria. These findings support using AI-derived whole-body metabolic trajectories as a more informative biomarker for outcomes in metastatic melanoma patients receiving ICIs.
Sachpekidis C, Vagenas TP, Müller M et al. · European journal of nuclear medicine and molecular imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Echocardiography & Multimodal Imaging for Structural Valve/RV/LA Function
Coronary-Sparing Resection of a Pediatric Left Ventricular Fibroma Involving the Left Circumflex Artery: Six-Year Follow-Up.
This case report described a 3-month-old female with a large intramyocardial left ventricular fibroma involving the left circumflex coronary artery, assessed with multimodality imaging including cardiac MRI and coronary angiography. Surgeons performed partial tumor resection with mitral valvuloplasty at 23 months while preserving the intratumoral left circumflex artery, with six-year follow-up demonstrating coronary-sparing feasibility. The report highlights the clinical importance of detailed coronary mapping for surgical planning in pediatric LV fibromas that traverse epicardial coronary vessels.
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 enabled complete en bloc surgical resection. The report highlights how multimodality cardiac imaging can define complex interatrial myxoma anatomy and guide curative operative management.
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 masses confirmed as myxomas and later developed new masses initially misinterpreted as thrombi, illustrating the high recurrence risk in Carney complex. The report emphasizes the need for vigilant longitudinal surveillance and careful differential diagnosis in pediatric Carney complex patients.
Abarca-Rozas B, Saavedra F, Retamal JP et al. · Case reports in cardiology · (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 cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR). Smaller right ventricular size was associated with poorer exercise performance, with oxygen pulse (V̇O2/heart rate) used as a surrogate for stroke volume and correlations assessed between CPET and CMR measures. Clinically, the results support using RV size and functional imaging metrics to refine risk stratification for pulmonary valve replacement in rTOF patients.
Mhanna C, Kourpas K, Tsuda T · Circulation journal : official journal of the Japanese Circulation Society · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Congenital Heart Disease Surgical/Longitudinal Imaging Outcomes
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 metrics relate to clinical outcomes. The key finding was that CMR-based quantitative regurgitant fraction measurements were compared with 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 supports CMR as a quantitative tool for AVVR assessment in Fontan patients, potentially improving prognostic stratification 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 ↗ · Free PDF ↗
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, and 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 and was used to examine postoperative TV and ventricular size/function changes over follow-up. These findings support CR as a valve-sparing surgical strategy in children with Ebstein anomaly and highlight the importance of imaging-based assessment of TV growth and biventricular remodeling for long-term outcomes.
Lee JH, Kim WH, Baek SM et al. · Interdisciplinary cardiovascular and thoracic surgery · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Pulmonary Hypertension & Pulmonary Vascular Disease Risk/Prognosis
Prognostic value of pulmonary transit time by cardiovascular MRI in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.
This prospective study investigated whether pulmonary transit time (PTT) measured by cardiovascular MRI independently predicts outcomes in adults with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). The key finding was that prolonged PTT was associated with adverse clinical outcomes even after accounting for other clinical and phenotyping variables. The significance is that PTT provides a noninvasive, integrated marker of cardiopulmonary hemodynamics that may improve prognostication in HFpEF.
Shergill S, Dattani A, Kanagala P et al. · Heart (British Cardiac Society) · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Advanced right ventricular evaluation in pulmonary hypertension: the role of 3D echocardiography and strain analysis.
This study evaluated whether semiautomated 3D transthoracic echocardiography (including 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). The key finding was that 3D echo–derived RV measures and strain could differentiate low versus non-low clinical risk groups, potentially offering a more accessible alternative to cMRI. This supports using 3D echocardiography with strain analysis for prognostic risk assessment in PAH/CTEPH when cMRI is impractical.
Amiri U, Keceli E, Andersen MØ et al. · European heart journal. Imaging methods and practice · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
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 the CDC WONDER database to study mortality trends from 1999–2020 for pulmonary vascular disease (PVD) and ischemic heart disease (IHD) in U.S. adults aged ≥45 years, calculating age-adjusted mortality rates and using Joinpoint regression to estimate annual percent change (APC). The study reported combined mortality burden and quantified temporal changes and demographic/geographic disparities across the study period. The findings are significant for public health surveillance by clarifying how PVD and IHD mortality evolved together over two decades and where disparities persist.
Nawaz A, Hafeezullah F, Siddiqui ZA et al. · Journal of thrombosis and thrombolysis · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Ischemic Heart Disease, MINOCA, and Coronary Pathophysiology
Prognosis and risk stratification in first-presentation myocardial infarction with nonobstructive coronary arteries using stress cardiac MRI.
This retrospective study evaluated prognostic value of stress cardiac MRI in 279 patients with first-presentation myocardial infarction with nonobstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA), stratifying them into four phenotypes based on late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) and inducible ischemia. The key finding was that the combination of LGE presence/absence and inducible ischemia status on stress CMR stratified risk for major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) during follow-up. Clinically, stress CMR phenotyping can improve risk stratification in MINOCA, potentially guiding intensity of follow-up and therapy.
Tang L, Long Q, Zhao W et al. · Insights into imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Rentrop collateral grade predicts myocardial viability in chronic total occlusion on cardiac magnetic resonance.
This study evaluated whether angiographic Rentrop collateral grade predicts myocardial viability in 56 patients with chronic total occlusion using quantitative cardiac MRI. Viability was defined as ≤50% transmural scar on late gadolinium enhancement, and the study related Rentrop grades to quantitative myocardial blood flow and scar burden within CTO territories. The results indicate that collateral grading on angiography can reflect tissue-level viability as measured by contemporary quantitative CMR, informing prognosis in CTO.
Mehmood Z, Suresh P, Li R et al. · Open heart · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Isolated First Septal Perforator Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection Causing Acute Myocardial Infarction.
This case report studied a 48-year-old man with isolated spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) confined to the first septal perforator (S1) after exertional chest pain. Coronary angiography showed type 1 S1 SCAD and cardiac magnetic resonance confirmed a transmural septal infarction, and the patient was treated conservatively with antiplatelet and beta-blocker therapy with an uncomplicated recovery. The findings emphasize that even transmural infarction from isolated S1 SCAD can be managed noninvasively, supporting careful imaging-based diagnosis and conservative treatment in selected patients.
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. Despite acute ST-segment elevation MI in the anterolateral wall, coronary angiography showed no significant coronary obstruction, and cardiac MRI confirmed nearly transmural infarction while echocardiography identified severe calcific bicuspid aortic stenosis with moderate aortic regurgitation. The case highlights the diagnostic value of comprehensive imaging (angiography, echo, and CMR) to identify embolic sources in MINOCA when coronary arteries are angiographically normal.
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 enrolled patients with clinical myocardial infarction and nonobstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) across 28 sites in the US, Canada, and UK to characterize MINOCA mechanisms, predictors of imaging abnormalities, and sex differences using multimodality imaging. The study aimed to determine which patient profiles are most likely to show abnormal imaging findings that identify the underlying MINOCA etiology. Scientifically and clinically, it helps refine diagnostic pathways for MINOCA by linking imaging abnormalities to specific predictors and sex-related patterns.
Reynolds HR, Maehara A, Heydari B et al. · Circulation · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
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 periods before and after provincial lockdowns. The key finding was the characterization of changes in cardiac NIT rates and patterns associated with lockdown implementation. Scientifically and clinically, the study quantifies pandemic-related diagnostic disruption in a single-payer system and can inform planning to mitigate downstream cardiovascular care delays during future public health emergencies.
Lin E, Mendis B, Odugbemi T et al. · BMJ open · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Coronary Microvascular Dysfunction & STEMI Risk Stratification
Prognostic Implications of Coronary Microvascular Dysfunction in ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction by Obesity Status.
This multicentre prospective cohort study evaluated coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) defined by an angiography-derived index of microcirculatory resistance (angio-IMR >40 U) in 497 ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI), stratified by obesity status (BMI categories). It assessed the association between CMD and long-term cardiovascular outcomes and tested whether prognostic implications differed by obesity category. The significance is that angio-IMR may help identify higher-risk STEMI patients with CMD, potentially refining prognosis and risk management in the context of obesity.
Guo Q, Guo Y, Shi S et al. · Diabetes, obesity & metabolism · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Arrhythmia Mechanisms & Sudden Cardiac Arrest Risk
Multiple 4q25 risk variants impair calcium homeostasis and compromise left atrial function.
This study tested whether atrial fibrillation risk variants at 4q25 (rs1448818, rs2200733, rs10033464) differentially affect calcium homeostasis and left atrial function in a large UK Biobank cohort of 391,008 individuals. The key finding was that the risk alleles increased incident atrial fibrillation in a dose-dependent manner and that genetic and clinical risk were additive, with variant-specific effects on calcium-handling pathways that plausibly impair left atrial function. Scientifically, it provides a calcium-homeostasis mechanism that helps explain how specific 4q25 SNPs contribute to atrial dysfunction and AF risk.
Jiménez-Sábado V, Tarifa C, Vad OB et al. · Cardiovascular research · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
C-X-C motif chemokine ligands (CXCL1/CXCL9) in inflammatory pathways underlying epilepsy-related ventricular remodeling: a mendelian randomization study.
Using a two-step Mendelian randomization design, this study assessed whether epilepsy (including generalized and focal epilepsy) causally relates to cardiac structural/functional traits measured by cardiac MRI and ECG, and whether plasma inflammatory proteins mediate these effects. The key finding was that genetically predicted epilepsy was associated with specific cardiac phenotypes consistent with epilepsy-related ventricular remodeling, with inflammatory pathways (via CXCL1/CXCL9-related signaling) implicated as mediators. This provides genetic evidence linking epilepsy to heart remodeling through inflammatory mechanisms, highlighting CXCL1/CXCL9 as potential therapeutic targets.
Wang L, Liu G, Wang Y et al. · Acta neurologica Belgica · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
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 the arrhythmic event occurred rapidly with immediate bystander CPR and return of spontaneous circulation after multiple shocks, consistent with the known malignant ventricular arrhythmia substrate of this structural abnormality. The report reinforces the need to recognize mitral annular disjunction as a high-risk condition for sudden cardiac arrest and to consider aggressive risk evaluation and management.
Smman A, Meurgey JH, Khiani R et al. · European heart journal. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
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 (HF) cardiomyocytes, using reverse-transcriptase quantitative PCR to profile cardiac sodium channel and FHF splice isoforms in human HFrEF and translational animal models of HFrEF and HFpEF. FixR was tested for its effects on cardiomyocyte INa,L and related proarrhythmic mechanisms in the context of HF-associated FHF modulation. The work supports a gene-pathway-targeted strategy to reduce INa,L–driven arrhythmia risk in HF by inhibiting FHF-dependent regulation.
Hegyi B, Angsutararux P, Chakouri N et al. · Circulation research · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Cardiac Transplantation Surveillance
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 monitoring of acute cellular rejection (ACR) in 17 adult orthotopic heart transplant recipients within 1 month after transplantation, compared with 10 controls without structural heart disease. Serial T1/T2 mapping metrics were evaluated as quantitative imaging surrogates for rejection status to reduce reliance on frequent endomyocardial biopsies. If validated, multiparametric cardiac MRI could provide a safer, more scalable approach to ACR surveillance after heart transplantation.
Sokolska JM, Sokolski M, Nożyński J et al. · European radiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Oncology & Immune Checkpoint Therapy Cardiac Complications
Multimodality Cardiac Imaging and Multidisciplinary Collaboration in Monitoring Intracardiac Sarcoma Response to Immunotherapy.
This JACC Case Reports report described a 40-year-old man with metastatic alveolar soft part sarcoma who developed intracardiac metastases causing right ventricular outflow tract obstruction and pericardial effusion during immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy. Cardiac magnetic resonance tissue characterization enabled a noninvasive diagnosis without endomyocardial biopsy, and the patient received inpatient ICI treatment with continuous cardiology monitoring to manage the risk of immune-mediated pseudoprogression worsening obstruction. The clinical significance is that multimodality cardiac imaging can guide safer immunotherapy decisions in rare intracardiac sarcoma presentations where biopsy and hemodynamic deterioration are major concerns.
Kocx C, Geraghty L, Rolfe Z et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
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 nivolumab with or without vinblastine in treatment-naive elderly patients (age ≥61 years) with Hodgkin lymphoma who had comorbidities precluding standard chemotherapy. The trial used nivolumab induction followed by consolidation with either nivolumab alone for early complete metabolic response or nivolumab plus vinblastine for stable/partial response, with the primary endpoint being complete metabolic response rate at end of treatment. This provides evidence for an immunotherapy-based, comorbidity-adapted regimen strategy in older, chemotherapy-ineligible Hodgkin lymphoma patients.
Lazarovici J, Amorim S, Bouabdallah K et al. · Haematologica · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
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 presented with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction–like symptoms. Coronary angiography 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; concurrent hypophysitis caused secondary adrenal insufficiency. The case underscores that ICI-related myocarditis and vasospasm can mimic acute coronary occlusion and require prompt recognition using angiography and CMR to guide management.
Bani Ali M, Sherif A, Hakemi E · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · 1 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Unveiling the invisible: the role of multimodality imaging in diagnosing primary cardiac lymphoma.
This case report assessed multimodality imaging (transthoracic echocardiography, cardiac computed tomography [CCT], and additional imaging described in the full report) to diagnose primary cardiac lymphoma (PCL) in a 54-year-old woman presenting with palpitations, chest discomfort, slight troponin elevation, and lateral ST-segment depressions mimicking acute coronary syndrome. CCT ruled out coronary artery disease and instead demonstrated a peri-atrial mass with an “encasement sign” around the left circumflex artery, helping distinguish PCL from ischemic and other cardiac causes. The report emphasizes that multimodality imaging can unmask PCL when it presents with nonspecific symptoms and can guide appropriate management of this rare malignancy.
Aronovich A, Sarid N, Hirsh M et al. · The international journal of cardiovascular imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
AI/Deep Learning for Cardiovascular Imaging & Clinical Decision Support
Reversible alterations of brain acetate metabolism associated with alcohol consumption.
The study examined how alcohol consumption alters brain acetate metabolism in four human groups: light drinkers, at-risk heavy drinkers, and two cohorts of patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD) in long-term recovery or undergoing medically supervised detoxification with scanning at ~1 week abstinence. The key finding was that acetate metabolism changes associated with alcohol exposure were reversible and linked to differences in the capacity to oxidize brain acetate across drinking status, including AUD. This suggests brain acetate oxidation is a clinically relevant, potentially reversible metabolic adaptation to alcohol use that could be targeted for monitoring or intervention in AUD.
Kumaragamage C, Jiang L, Angarita GA et al. · Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Spatial and spectrotemporal features of noise alter female responses to costly male signals in Cope’s gray treefrog (Hyla chrysoscelis).
This behavioral neuroethology study tested how noise characteristics alter female mate choice for energetically costly male calls in Cope’s gray treefrog (Hyla chrysoscelis) using two-alternative phonotaxis assays. The key finding was that spatial separation between signal and noise (spatial release from masking) and spectrotemporally correlated noise fluctuations (comodulation masking release) changed female response probability, response latency, and the calling effort of chosen males under noisy conditions. The significance is that it clarifies how specific acoustic masking mechanisms shape sexual selection decisions in noisy natural choruses.
Ward JL, Lee N, Kalra L et al. · Journal of comparative physiology. A, Neuroethology, sensory, neural, and behavioral physiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
A composable multimodal framework for cine CMR-text-driven prediction of heart failure outcomes.
This study proposed and evaluated a composable multimodal framework that uses cine CMR text-driven prediction to estimate heart failure outcomes in patients undergoing cardiac MRI. The key finding was that combining multimodal information from cine CMR with text-driven modeling can improve prediction of heart failure outcomes beyond single-modality approaches. Clinically, such frameworks could enable more holistic risk assessment and treatment optimization using routine cine CMR data.
Chen J, Sun J, Wang X et al. · Physiological measurement · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
AI in the EP Lab - Mapping, Imaging, and Signal Interpretation.
This article is a narrative review that studied how artificial intelligence (AI) can be 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 could standardize EP workflows and enhance substrate characterization for arrhythmia diagnosis and treatment.
Anand AB, Rajawat K · Indian pacing and electrophysiology journal · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
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 to remove tetracycline hydrochloride (T-HCl). The key finding was that the combined hydrothermal + KOH treatment produced KHRB with a highly developed pore structure (specific surface area 1589 ± 24.62 m2/g) and substantially enhanced adsorption capacity for T-HCl compared with single treatments. The results suggest a practical, resource-recovery route to create high-performance adsorbents for antibiotic-contaminated wastewater.
Xu E, Song X, Liu Y et al. · Journal of environmental management · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
FA-SedLoRA: scene-driven fine-tuning and style disentanglement for domain-generalized cardiac MRI segmentation.
This paper studied FA-SedLoRA, a deep learning method for scene-driven fine-tuning and style disentanglement to achieve domain-generalized cardiac MRI segmentation. The key finding is that by addressing domain gaps between natural images and CMR data and disentangling style factors, the approach aims to improve segmentation generalizability across clinical centers, imaging protocols, and scanner vendors. Scientifically, it advances robust CMR segmentation toward broader clinical deployment without requiring heavy center-specific retraining.
Wang C, Peng P, Wang X · Medical & biological engineering & computing · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
An international randomised controlled trial of a novel antimicrobial dressing for peripheral intravenous catheters (ProP trial).
The ProP trial was an international, multi-centre, open-label, two-arm adaptive randomized controlled trial assessing feasibility and preliminary outcomes of chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG)-impregnated antimicrobial dressings for peripheral intravenous catheters (PIVCs) in hospital patients. The study evaluated whether CHG-impregnated dressings reduce complications such as phlebitis and potentially infectious events compared with standard care. If effective, this approach could lower PIVC-associated morbidity and reduce unnecessary antimicrobial use in routine inpatient practice.
Drugeon B, Ball DL, Kleidon TM et al. · Antimicrobial resistance and infection control · (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 objective structured clinical examination (OSCE)-based clinical competency scores among 175 critical care medicine residents across seven standardized residency training bases in Zhejiang Province, China (2023–2025). The study aimed to identify station- and base-level performance differences to reveal educational gaps in critical care training. The findings are intended to inform targeted OSCE curriculum and training optimization to improve resident competency assessment in critical care medicine.
Chen C, Mao W, Cai K et al. · BMC medical education · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Generated automatically on May 31, 2026. Covers PubMed articles published May 24, 2026 – May 31, 2026. Summaries are AI-generated; always consult the original publication for clinical or research decisions.