What's New in Cardiac MRI? — June 04, 2026
AI-summarised digest of 91 PubMed articles on Cardiac MRI published in the last 7 days.
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What’s New in Cardiac MRI?
June 04, 2026 · 91 articles · 15 research themes · covering May 28, 2026 – June 04, 2026
Overview
This week’s cardiovascular imaging literature is dominated by a shift from “single-measure” interpretation toward data-driven, tissue- and physiology-based risk stratification. Multiple studies use CMR-derived tissue metrics (native T1/ECV, T2, LGE, edema frameworks) and mechanics (strain, deformation, PV-loop surrogates) to predict outcomes across diverse conditions—hypertension phenotypes, post-STEMI heart failure risk, aortic regurgitation prognosis, obstructive HCM risk refinement, and Fontan physiology. Importantly, several papers emphasize incremental value beyond conventional clinical thresholds (e.g., LA strain after STEMI despite normal LVEF; FT-LVGLS in moderate-to-severe AR; longitudinal fibrosis progression in HCM), suggesting CMR is increasingly becoming a “risk reclassifier” rather than a confirmatory test.
A second major theme is methodological maturation: faster, more robust CMR acquisition and analysis that works in real-world patients. Free-breathing and motion-corrected LGE/perfusion protocols, dual-phase angiography for pediatric CHD, and accelerated whole-heart/5D approaches aim to reduce scan burden while preserving diagnostic performance. In parallel, AI and advanced reconstruction are moving from proof-of-concept to operational concerns—vendor-to-vendor variability in automated segmentation, standardized scar visualization, and automated MVO/radiomics pipelines for STEMI risk. Finally, the translational pipeline is visible in both therapeutics and mechanistic models: anti-inflammatory strategies (colchicine), SGLT2 inhibitor effects on CMR fibrosis/recovery, radiotherapy for ATTRwt amyloid guided by PET/CMR, and animal/iPSC platforms that connect molecular mechanisms to measurable cardiac phenotypes.
Together, these studies point to a converging future: multimodality imaging plus quantitative CMR biomarkers, interpreted with AI and validated for equity and generalizability, to enable earlier detection, better stratification, and more targeted interventions—especially in populations where conventional screening misses risk (children, post-surgical congenital patients, immune-mediated myocarditis, and underdiagnosed amyloidosis).
Cardiac MRI phenotyping & risk stratification (general)
Clinical Phenotypes in Hypertension: A Data-Driven Approach to Risk Stratification.
This study used unsupervised machine learning (k-means clustering) to identify clinical phenotypes of hypertension in 14,840 UK Biobank participants with diagnosed hypertension who also underwent cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR). The resulting hypertension phenotypes showed distinct associations with cardiovascular imaging characteristics and with adverse cardiovascular outcomes, with cardiac imaging features mediating part of these phenotype–outcome relationships. These data-driven phenotypes could improve hypertension risk stratification and help target prevention using CMR-derived risk-relevant cardiac traits.
Rauseo E, Salih AM, Cooper J et al. · Hypertension (Dallas, Tex. : 1979) · (2026) · 1 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Myocardial tissue characterization (T1/T2/ECV/LGE/edema/fibrosis)
Biventricular dysfunction and blood oxygenation deficits in obstructive sleep apnea: a prospective study with non-contrast cardiac MRI.
This prospective study enrolled 75 newly diagnosed obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients and used non-contrast cardiac MRI—including cine imaging plus native T1 and T2 mapping—to compare biventricular function and tissue characteristics between severe and non-severe OSA. Severe OSA showed detectable biventricular dysfunction/mechanics and altered myocardial tissue metrics despite the non-contrast approach, and these CMR abnormalities correlated with markers of nocturnal hypoxemia. The results indicate that non-contrast CMR can uncover subclinical myocardial injury in OSA and may enable earlier cardiovascular risk stratification.
Wang J, Cheng Z, Du J et al. · BMC medical imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Cardiac MRI in Depiction of Myocardial Edema: A Comprehensive Review.
This comprehensive Radiographics review synthesized current evidence on cardiac MRI techniques for detecting myocardial edema across ischemic, inflammatory, infiltrative, toxic, infectious, and autoimmune conditions. It highlights practical challenges such as imaging artifacts, differential diagnoses, and how edema findings influence risk stratification and clinical decision-making. The review provides a unified framework to standardize interpretation of myocardial edema on CMR in diverse disease contexts.
Onder O, Kosanovich C, Kirshenboim ZE et al. · Radiographics : a review publication of the Radiological Society of North America, Inc · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Prediction of Anthracycline-induced Cardiotoxicity Using Cardiac MRI Parameters: An Animal Study.
This animal study tested whether cardiac MRI native T1 and extracellular volume fraction (ECV) can predict early mortality in a preclinical model of anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity. In 31 Sprague-Dawley rats treated with weekly intravenous doxorubicin (2 mg/kg) for up to 12 weeks, MRI parametric mapping variables were assessed for association with early death using Cox proportional hazards models. If translatable, native T1 and ECV could enable earlier identification of high-risk patients developing doxorubicin cardiotoxicity.
Kim NY, Park J, Park HS et al. · Radiology. Cardiothoracic imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Serial Myocardial Fibrosis Assessments Predict Outcomes in Patients With Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.
This retrospective study evaluated whether serial myocardial fibrosis assessments predict outcomes in 313 HCM patients undergoing two CMR scans between 2010 and 2019. It quantified late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) mass progression (ΔLGE mass/year) and tested its association with a composite endpoint including all-cause mortality, heart transplantation, aborted sudden cardiac death, and heart-failure hospitalizations. The findings support using longitudinal CMR fibrosis progression as a prognostic biomarker to identify HCM patients at higher risk over time.
Tang Y, Chen X, Zhao K et al. · JACC. Cardiovascular imaging · (2026) · 2 citations · View on PubMed ↗
Cardiac MRI for ischemic heart disease & infarct healing (incl. microvascular injury)
Prognostic value of cardiac magnetic resonance pulmonary transit time and myocardial strain across different stages of ST-elevation myocardial infarction.
This study assessed prognostic value of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) pulmonary transit time (PTT) and myocardial strain measured by CMR feature tracking across different stages of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) classified by Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS) status in 521 STEMI patients. The key finding is that PTT and global myocardial strain parameters (longitudinal, circumferential, and radial) are associated with outcomes after STEMI, with prognostic performance varying by CCS stage. This supports using CMR-derived PTT and strain as intermediate-to-long-term risk markers for stratifying STEMI patients.
Hu YY, Zhang ZX, Li S et al. · European journal of radiology open · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Multi-biomarker approach for predicting cardiac magnetic resonance parameters at 30 days after ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.
This pre-specified CLEVER-ACS substudy evaluated whether baseline biomarkers—high-sensitivity troponin T (hsTnT), NT-proBNP, CCN1, and PCSK9—predict cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) infarct characteristics at 30 days after ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The key finding is that specific baseline biomarker levels are significantly associated with 30-day CMR-derived infarct parameters, linking early biochemical injury and stress signals to later infarct remodeling. This is important for post-STEMI risk stratification by identifying blood-based predictors of intermediate-stage CMR outcomes.
Horbach T, Wenzl FA, Manka R et al. · International journal of cardiology. Heart & vasculature · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Enhancing Intermediate-Risk Stratification in Pulmonary Hypertension: CMR-Derived Quantification of Right Ventricular-Arterial Coupling.
This retrospective study in pulmonary hypertension (PH) patients used CMR-derived right-ventricular (RV) arterial coupling quantified as stroke volume to end-systolic volume ratio (SV/ESV) to refine prognosis within the 2022 ESC/ERS intermediate-risk groups. The key finding is that adding SV/ESV reclassified intermediate-risk patients into intermediate-low and intermediate-high risk categories with different rates of clinical worsening (hospitalization for congestive heart failure or death). Scientifically and clinically, this suggests SV/ESV from CMR can improve risk stratification beyond the ESC/ERS four-strata model for PH.
Tian H, Wu Q, Wang Z et al. · Academic radiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Diagnostic yield of second-line functional imaging after an abnormal coronary computed tomography angiography: an individual patient-data meta-analysis.
This individual patient-data meta-analysis assessed diagnostic yield of second-line functional imaging after abnormal coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) in 1410 patients (mean age 62; 67% male) with ≥50% diameter stenosis, comparing dobutamine stress echocardiography, SPECT, CMR, and/or PET against invasive angiography with fractional flow reserve (FFR) as the reference. The key finding is that the diagnostic performance of second-line functional tests varies depending on the modality and the invasive FFR threshold used. This is significant because it provides evidence to better select the most appropriate functional imaging strategy after an abnormal CCTA to avoid unnecessary invasive procedures.
Rasmussen LD, Hoek R, Westra J et al. · European heart journal. Cardiovascular Imaging · (2026) · 1 citations · View on PubMed ↗
Smoking cessation after first STEMI enhances infarct healing: a cardiac MRI study.
This prospective cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) study followed 672 revascularized first-time ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients to determine how smoking cessation after STEMI affects infarct healing dynamics. The key finding is that quitting smoking after STEMI enhances infarct healing, assessed by CMR at baseline and at 4 and 12 months alongside documented smoking status at baseline and 4 months. This supports smoking cessation as a measurable modifier of myocardial recovery after STEMI and reinforces CMR as a tool to track treatment-related infarct evolution.
Troger F, Pamminger M, Reindl M et al. · European heart journal. Cardiovascular Imaging · (2026) · 1 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Molecular imaging of lymphatic organs provides prognostic value after acute myocardial infarction.
This prospective trial (NCT05519735) studied whether molecular imaging of lymphatic organs after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) predicts functional recovery, enrolling 41 timely reperfused ST-elevation AMI patients. Participants underwent baseline 68Ga-PentixaFor PET targeting CXCR4-expressing leukocytes, and uptake in remote lymphatic organs (spleen, bone marrow, and heart-draining lymph nodes) was evaluated for prognostic value for later left ventricular ejection fraction (LV EF). The findings suggest that CXCR4-directed PET imaging of lymphatic inflammation could identify patients predisposed to better or worse post-AMI recovery.
Reiter T, Dörrler AL, Hasenauer N et al. · European journal of nuclear medicine and molecular imaging · (2026) · 1 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Non-contrast multimodal cardiac MRI for predicting coronary microvascular dysfunction in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
This study developed and tested a non-contrast multimodal cardiac MRI radiomics model to predict coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) in 290 patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Using logistic regression on radiomics features extracted from end-diastolic four-chamber and end-diastolic short-axis views, the model distinguished HCM patients with versus without CMD without requiring contrast-enhanced CMR. If validated, this approach could enable safer, more scalable CMD risk assessment in HCM by reducing reliance on contrast agents.
Li J, Zhu L, Liu Y et al. · Magnetic resonance imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Myocardial transit time mapping by CMR: A novel potential parameter of microcirculatory dysfunction in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with and without atrial fibrillation.
This study investigated myocardial transit time (MyoTT) measured by cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) as a marker of coronary microvascular dysfunction in 50 patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), comparing those with and without atrial fibrillation (AF), against 50 healthy controls. The key finding was that MyoTT (along with other CMR-derived measures such as native T1, extracellular volume, and myocardial strain) helped discriminate HCM from controls and was associated with AF status in HCM. Scientifically, this positions MyoTT as a potential noninvasive CMR biomarker of microcirculatory dysfunction relevant to AF risk in HCM.
Yang J, Cheng Y, Yang J et al. · European journal of radiology open · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Cardiac MRI for inflammatory/immune-mediated myocarditis & sarcoidosis
Coronary Artery Involvement in Kawasaki Disease and Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children: Imaging, Risk Stratification, and Long-Term Cardiovascular Considerations.
This article reviews coronary artery involvement in Kawasaki disease (KD) and multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) and discusses imaging-based risk stratification and long-term cardiovascular outcomes in affected children. It finds that KD most commonly causes persistent coronary artery abnormalities (dilation and aneurysms), whereas MIS-C coronary involvement appears less frequent and often transient. The review highlights the need for structured coronary imaging follow-up to reduce long-term cardiovascular risk in pediatric inflammatory syndromes.
Fatima A, Akram MB, Asghar AH et al. · Cardiology in review · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Diagnostic challenges in isolated cardiac sarcoidosis.
This article studied diagnostic strategies for isolated cardiac sarcoidosis (iCS), a granulomatous myocarditis limited to the heart, emphasizing how to integrate multimodality imaging, endomyocardial biopsy, and molecular testing while excluding extracardiac disease. It concludes that cardiac MRI and positron emission tomography complement each other for assessing inflammation, fibrosis, and ventricular function, and that electroanatomic mapping-guided biopsy may improve histologic yield. The scientific significance is improving diagnostic confidence and prognostic assessment in a condition where iCS remains a diagnosis of exclusion.
Tersalvi G, Rossi VA, Hundertmark M et al. · ESC heart failure · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Myocarditis in idiopathic inflammatory myopathies: serologic and clinical correlates in a single-center registry.
This single-center retrospective registry studied 142 adults with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) to correlate serologic and clinical features with cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR)-confirmed myocarditis using the 2018 Lake Louise Criteria. It evaluates the diagnostic performance of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hs-TnI) and quantifies the independent prognostic impact of myocarditis relative to interstitial lung disease (ILD) over follow-up (with or without immunosuppression). The clinical significance is refining diagnosis and risk stratification of myocarditis in IIM, where prognosis may depend on the myocarditis–ILD balance.
Álvarez-Troncoso J, Refoyo-Salicio E, Díaz-Planellas S et al. · Rheumatology international · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Cardiovascular Manifestations of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Practical Multi-Modality Imaging Approach.
This practical multi-modality imaging review summarized cardiovascular manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and how echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), computed tomography (CT), and nuclear imaging can detect, characterize, and monitor disease. The key finding is that imaging is central to identifying major SLE cardiovascular complications—pericardial disease, myocarditis, coronary artery disease, and valvular involvement—while each modality has specific strengths and limitations. This is significant for improving diagnostic accuracy and longitudinal management of SLE patients at high cardiovascular risk.
Borchsenius JIH, Dons M, Sengeløv M et al. · The Canadian journal of cardiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
A Case of the Uncommon Cause of Chronic Coronary Syndrome: Coronary Fistula and Coronary Stenosis, Which One to Intervene?
This retrospective case-series analysis reviewed 34 documented cases of sintilimab-induced myocarditis from clinical reports up to July 31, 2025. The median onset was 21 days after treatment (range 1–120 days), with common symptoms including dyspnea (41.2%) and chest tightness (35.3%), and the study summarized clinical features, treatment approaches, and outcomes. These data support improved recognition and management of immune checkpoint inhibitor (PD-1)–associated myocarditis from sintilimab.
Sinurat MRMP, Taofan T, Tobing DPL et al. · The International journal of angiology : official publication of the International College of Angiology, Inc · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Diagnostic and prognostic value of T2 mapping in cardiac sarcoidosis.
This study evaluated the diagnostic and prognostic utility of T1 and T2 mapping on 3T cardiac magnetic resonance in 39 patients with cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) who also underwent 18F-FDG PET. The key finding is that myocardial T1/T2 mapping metrics capture aspects of inflammation and fibrosis-related pathology that complement late gadolinium enhancement and PET, and they relate to clinical outcomes. This is significant because T1/T2 mapping could provide a less burdensome, radiation-free alternative for monitoring active inflammation in CS.
Uno M, Kosuge H, Kobayashi M et al. · International journal of cardiology. Heart & vasculature · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Cardiac MRI for cardiotoxicity & cardio-oncology surveillance
Cardiac Biomarkers and Multimodality Imaging in Surveillance During Oncologic Therapy: An Integrated Approach to Cardio-Oncology.
This narrative integrated approach summarized how cardiac biomarkers and multimodality imaging are used during surveillance for cardiovascular toxicity in patients receiving oncologic therapies, including anthracyclines, HER2-targeted agents, VEGF inhibitors, immune checkpoint inhibitors, and chest radiotherapy. The key point is that combining biomarker trends with advanced imaging enables earlier detection and characterization of therapy-related cardiac injury across different mechanisms. Clinically, it reinforces guideline-based cardio-oncology surveillance to mitigate cardiotoxicity while maintaining effective cancer treatment.
Agrawal SP, Lussier A, Patel DS et al. · Cardiology in review · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Cardiac MRI for congenital heart disease & post-surgical physiology
Quantitative 99mTc-PYP SPECT/CT at 90 minutes improves diagnostic stratification in transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis.
This retrospective cohort study examined pediatric Fontan patients at moderate altitude to assess whether CMR-derived diffuse myocardial fibrosis markers—native T1 and extracellular volume (ECV)—relate to exercise capacity compared with healthy controls. It finds that elevated myocardial extracellular volume and altered T1/ECV measures are associated with reduced exercise tolerance, supporting fibrosis as a clinically meaningful marker of Fontan physiology. The significance is that CMR fibrosis quantification may help identify pediatric Fontan patients at risk for impaired functional status.
Nazerani-Zemann T, Stanzel S, Weitzer F et al. · European journal of nuclear medicine and molecular imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
The Role of Multimodality Imaging in the Evaluation of Heart Failure and Surgical Transplant Planning of Patients with Adult Congenital Heart Disease.
This review focused on how multimodality cardiac imaging evaluates heart failure and supports surgical transplant planning in adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD). It emphasizes that longitudinal, guideline-recommended surveillance and condition-tailored imaging protocols—performed at expert centers—improve detection of residual lesions and complications that determine timing for advanced therapy evaluation. The clinical significance is improved risk stratification and better-informed surgical/transplant decision-making through modality selection and protocol optimization in ACHD.
Duarte VE, Rajpal S · Cardiac electrophysiology clinics · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
The role of advanced imaging in the diagnosis and management of scimitar syndrome in pediatric patients.
This imaging-focused review summarized how advanced imaging with cardiac CT and cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) characterizes scimitar syndrome (SS) in pediatric patients and links imaging variants to clinical management. It describes SS as a rare congenital anomaly involving partial/total anomalous right pulmonary venous drainage to the hepatic vein/IVC, with associated right lung and pulmonary artery hypoplasia and systemic-to-pulmonary collateral(s). The review supports using CT/CMR to define anatomy and plan interventions such as surgical rerouting or resection.
Nguyen TVN, Emral HG, Voges I et al. · International journal of cardiology. Congenital heart disease · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
The Rapid Long-axis Strain-based Prognostic Models Evaluate Composite Adverse Events for Asymptomatic Dextro-Transposition of the Great Arteries Patients after the Switch Operation.
This Academic Radiology study evaluated asymptomatic dextro-transposition of the great arteries (d-TGA) patients after arterial switch operation (ASO) using biventricular strain and rapid long-axis strain (RLAS) to detect impaired mechanics and to build strain-based prognostic models for composite adverse events. The key finding is that RLAS-based and related strain models improved identification of patients at risk for composite adverse events, with validation in an external test set. This supports using CMR-derived rapid long-axis strain for earlier, more accurate long-term risk stratification in asymptomatic post-ASO d-TGA patients.
Hu L, Guo C, Liu X et al. · Academic radiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
End-diastolic forward flow (EDFF) after tetralogy of Fallot repair: Evolution of its role in management and prognosis.
This 2026 International Journal of Cardiology: Congenital Heart Disease review synthesized evidence on end-diastolic forward flow (EDFF) after tetralogy of Fallot (ToF) repair, focusing on how its interpretation has evolved from a marker of favorable restriction to a multifactorial hemodynamic phenomenon. The key finding is that EDFF is not a single, specific surrogate of myocardial stiffness but reflects multiple interacting restrictive RV physiology and hemodynamic factors. This matters for clinical decision-making and research design by reframing how EDFF should be measured and interpreted in post–ToF repair prognosis.
Baneu P, van Dijk AP, Duijnhouwer AL et al. · International journal of cardiology. Congenital heart disease · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Cardiac MRI for valvular disease & hemodynamics (incl. TR/AR/MAD)
Concomitant pericardiectomy and coronary artery bypass grafting associated with marked reduction in liver stiffness in a patient with constrictive pericarditis: a case report.
This case report described a patient with constrictive pericarditis who underwent concomitant pericardiectomy and coronary artery bypass grafting, with a focus on systemic effects reflected by liver stiffness. The key finding was a marked reduction in liver stiffness after surgical relief of constrictive physiology, despite the complexity of concomitant three-vessel coronary disease. This is significant because it provides rare in vivo evidence that relieving constrictive hemodynamics can reverse congestive hepatopathy-related stiffness, supporting comprehensive surgical decision-making.
Tabesh E, Darouei B, Kakavand N et al. · Journal of cardiothoracic surgery · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Left Ventricular Global Longitudinal Strain Improves Risk Stratification in Chronic Aortic Regurgitation.
This retrospective cohort study assessed whether cardiac magnetic resonance feature tracking–derived left ventricular global longitudinal strain (FT-LVGLS) predicts adverse outcomes in 385 patients with chronic moderate-to-severe aortic regurgitation (AR) who had CMR between 2010 and 2024. The key finding is that FT-LVGLS improves risk stratification and provides incremental prognostic value beyond the 2025 ESC/EACTS Class I/IIb surgical indication parameters. This is clinically significant because it supports using CMR strain to refine timing of intervention and identify higher-risk AR patients who may benefit from earlier management.
Li B, Liu Y, Dai L et al. · European heart journal. Cardiovascular Imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
The Effect of Aortic Regurgitation on Left Ventricular Flow Dynamics Assessed by 4D-Flow MRI.
This study assessed the impact of aortic regurgitation (AR) on left ventricular (LV) flow dynamics using 4D-flow MRI in patients with varying AR severity, with viscous energy dissipation (VED) evaluated alongside regurgitant fraction (RF). AR was associated with altered diastolic filling flow patterns and increased hemodynamic burden quantified by 4D-flow–derived metrics, improving characterization beyond conventional measures. The results support 4D-flow MRI (including VED) as a more informative imaging approach for stratifying AR severity and predicting LV consequences.
Abdallah W, Darwish A, Garcia J et al. · Annals of biomedical engineering · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Association of Mitral Annular Disjunction on Magnetic Resonance Imaging With Cardiovascular Outcomes.
This prospective CMR registry study analyzed 1969 patients to determine the prevalence and prognostic impact of mitral annular disjunction (MAD), defined as ≥1 mm separation at the mitral hinge point, and examined associations with native T1 relaxation times in end-systole and end-diastole. MAD presence was associated with worse cardiovascular outcomes and showed relationships with native T1 measures, suggesting underlying myocardial tissue abnormalities. These findings strengthen the clinical relevance of MAD on cardiac MRI and link it to CMR tissue characterization that may improve risk assessment.
Mascherbauer K, Nantschev N, Kronberger C et al. · European journal of clinical investigation · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Gender differences in clinical phenotype, right-heart remodelling and outcomes in severe tricuspid regurgitation: a cardiac magnetic resonance study.
This cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) study enrolled patients with at least severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR) from five tertiary hospitals to assess sex-related differences in clinical phenotype, right-ventricular (RV) remodelling, and all-cause mortality under medical therapy. Women showed different patterns of RV remodelling and clinical outcomes compared with men, with sex influencing mortality risk during follow-up (up to 10 years; tricuspid intervention patients were censored at procedure). These findings support incorporating sex-specific risk assessment into management of severe TR using CMR-derived RV remodelling metrics.
Hinojar R, Rodriguez Palomares J, Barreiro-Pérez M et al. · European heart journal. Cardiovascular Imaging · (2026) · 1 citations · View on PubMed ↗
Cardiac MRI for arrhythmias & sudden death risk (incl. PVC/VT/ICD)
Treatment of Premature Ventricular Contractions: A Review of Medical Therapy, Catheter Ablation, and Emerging Treatments.
This review studied the clinical management of premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) across patient populations with and without structural heart disease, focusing on diagnostic workup and treatment options including medical therapy and catheter ablation. It reports that treatment decisions should be driven by symptom burden, PVC burden/frequency, ventricular function, and underlying myocardial disease, with catheter ablation and emerging therapies reserved for higher-risk or refractory cases such as PVC-induced cardiomyopathy. The article’s significance is providing a practical framework to prevent progression to cardiomyopathy and reduce malignant ventricular arrhythmia risk.
Elattar S, Hodhod A, Basha NR et al. · Cardiology in review · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
The timing and relationship of ventricular arrhythmia with exercise patterns in veteran male endurance athletes.
This study examined how exercise training patterns relate to the incidence and timing of ventricular arrhythmias in 106 healthy veteran male endurance athletes (cyclists/triathletes, age ≥50) using implantable loop recorders (ILRs) alongside clinical assessment and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR). Fifty-five ventricular arrhythmia events were recorded, and the abstract indicates a relationship between arrhythmia timing and exercise patterns during follow-up. These findings suggest that longitudinal, pattern-based exercise monitoring may help refine arrhythmia risk assessment and surveillance strategies in older endurance athletes.
Javed W, Brown B, Chambers B et al. · European journal of preventive cardiology · (2026) · 2 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Myocardial fibrosis and its relationship with ventricular arrhythmias and reduced ventricular systolic function in young and veteran endurance athletes.
This study evaluated whether myocardial fibrosis measured by CMR is associated with ventricular arrhythmias and reduced biventricular systolic function in 296 young (median 19 years), 138 middle-aged (median 56 years) male endurance athletes and 66 middle-aged non-athletic controls without known cardiac disease. Non-hinge-point fibrosis was more prevalent in middle-aged athletes than in young athletes and controls, and the study assessed 24-hour Holter–quantified ventricular arrhythmias alongside biventricular function. The results support myocardial fibrosis as a potential mechanistic link to ventricular arrhythmia burden and systolic dysfunction in aging endurance athletes, informing CMR-based risk stratification.
De Paepe J, D’Ambrosio P, De Bosscher R et al. · European journal of preventive cardiology · (2026) · 2 citations · View on PubMed ↗
Time trends in ICD recommendations and predictors of device activation hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: a real-world cohort study.
This real-world single-center cohort study assessed time trends in implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) recommendations and how evolving European Society of Cardiology (ESC) primary-prevention criteria affect ICD eligibility and event detection in 52 hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) patients who received an ICD between 2014 and 2024. The key finding is that changes in guideline criteria over time translate into measurable differences in real-world ICD eligibility and subsequent detection of clinically relevant events. Clinically, this helps quantify how guideline evolution impacts sudden cardiac death prevention strategies in HCM practice.
Marques Antunes M, Carvalheiro R, Cardoso I et al. · International journal of cardiology. Heart & vasculature · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Cardiac magnetic resonance-derived left atrial strain restratifies patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy at low-risk of sudden cardiac death.
This retrospective longitudinal single-center study assessed whether CMR-derived left atrial global longitudinal strain (LA-GLS) improves risk stratification in 183 low-risk hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) patients (HCM Risk-SCD score <4%). LA-GLS derived from CMR reclassified patients by predicting major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) beyond the traditional HCM Risk-SCD score. The results suggest LA-GLS could refine prognostic assessment in low-risk HCM populations to better identify those who may still develop adverse outcomes.
Faggiano A, Casas G, Gonzalez-Santorum F et al. · European heart journal. Cardiovascular Imaging · (2026) · 1 citations · View on PubMed ↗
Role of concomitant endomyocardial biopsy in non-ischemic cardiomyopathy with ventricular arrhythmias.
This study assessed the diagnostic yield and clinical significance of adding concomitant endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) during electrophysiological procedures in 37 consecutive patients with non-ischemic cardiomyopathy (NICM) complicated by ventricular arrhythmias (VAs). The key finding was that EMB findings, interpreted alongside clinical history, imaging, and genetic testing, changed or refined diagnoses in a substantial proportion of patients. This is significant because it supports EMB as an adjunct diagnostic tool to better identify underlying etiologies driving VAs in NICM.
Togashi D, Katsume Y, Uetake S et al. · Journal of interventional cardiac electrophysiology : an international journal of arrhythmias and pacing · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Cardiac MRI for heart failure & cardiomyopathy phenotypes
Muscular dystrophy cardiomyopathy in pediatric cardiac MRI.
This case-based report studied a pediatric patient with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) who had normal ECG and echocardiography but underwent cardiac MRI to evaluate cardiomyopathy. It demonstrates that cardiac MRI can detect or characterize myocardial involvement despite normal initial screening tests, informing prognosis and treatment planning. The significance is supporting cardiac MRI as a more sensitive tool for early detection of muscular dystrophy cardiomyopathy in children.
Hansen RM, Takahashi MS, Sakthivel MK · The international journal of cardiovascular imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Dilated Cardiomyopathy in a Woman With SPG4-Associated Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia.
This JACC Case Reports article studied a 54-year-old woman with genetically confirmed SPG4-associated hereditary spastic paraplegia (SPG4-HSP) to evaluate suspected systemic cardiac involvement. It reports nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) with reduced ejection fraction and dyssynchrony on echocardiography and cardiac MRI, after exclusion of alternative causes and negative extended cardiomyopathy gene testing. The clinical significance is documenting DCM as a previously unreported cardiac manifestation of SPG4-HSP and supporting consideration of cardiomyopathy screening in this genetic population.
Gude S, Kleiven Ø, Edvardsen T · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Cardiopulmonary physical fitness and tissue characterization through T1 and T2 mapping: new insights on athlete’s heart.
This study investigated associations between cardiorespiratory fitness from maximal cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) and cardiac remodeling assessed by non-contrast CMR T1 and T2 mapping in elite healthy athletes undergoing pre-participation screening. The key finding (from the study’s aim and methods) is that CMR T1/T2 tissue characterization provides measurable links to CPET-derived fitness, offering new insights into the “athlete’s heart” phenotype. Clinically, mapping-based CMR markers could improve differentiation of physiologic athletic remodeling from early cardiomyopathy by tying tissue properties to functional capacity.
Graziano F, Balla D, Juhasz V et al. · European journal of preventive cardiology · (2026) · 5 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Cardiac magnetic resonance feature tracking in Olympic athletes: a myocardial deformation analysis.
This study used cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) feature tracking to quantify myocardial deformation in Olympic athletes with normal cardiovascular evaluation and compared results across sports disciplines and sex against age- and sex-matched sedentary controls. The key finding is that myocardial deformation patterns differ by athletic context (discipline and sex) despite normal baseline screening, highlighting the need for sport- and sex-aware reference values. This is clinically important for distinguishing physiologic “athlete’s heart” remodeling from early cardiomyopathy when interpreting CMR strain metrics.
Monosilio S, Prosperi S, Filomena D et al. · European journal of preventive cardiology · (2026) · 7 citations · View on PubMed ↗
Incremental prognostic value of left atrial strain for heart failure-related events following ST-Segment elevation myocardial infarction.
This European journal of radiology study assessed whether left atrial (LA) strain measured by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) adds prognostic value for heart failure (HF)-related events after ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) across different left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) strata. LA strain provided incremental risk stratification for subsequent HF-related events beyond discharge LVEF, identifying patients at risk even when LVEF was normal. Clinically, CMR-derived LA strain could improve post-STEMI risk prediction and guide closer follow-up or preventive strategies for HF development.
Zhao Y, Chen XY, Zhu GJ et al. · European journal of radiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Dilated cardiomyopathy vs. non-dilated left ventricular dysfunction: genotype-phenotype relationship and outcome.
This study investigated genotype–phenotype relationships and outcomes in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) versus non-dilated left ventricular dysfunction (NDLVD), using comprehensive clinical, genetic, and CMR assessment with LV ejection fraction (LVEF) <57%. Patients were classified by LV dilation thresholds (end-diastolic volume >96 mL/m² in women and >105 mL/m² in men) and the study evaluated a composite cardiovascular endpoint over follow-up. The results are intended to clarify how genetic architecture and CMR-defined remodeling relate to prognosis across DCM and NDLVD phenotypes.
Bellisario I, Aimo A, Todiere G et al. · International journal of cardiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Cardiac MRI for pulmonary hypertension & right-heart mechanics
CMR-derived left ventricular pressure-volume loops enhance individualized assessment of disease severity and prognosis in pulmonary arterial hypertension in adults.
This study used cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) to derive left ventricular pressure–volume (PV) loops and tested their prognostic value in 96 adults with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) compared with 32 matched healthy controls. CMR-derived LV PV-loop parameters provided individualized assessment of disease severity and were associated with clinical outcomes such as death or lung transplantation, complementing right-heart catheterization data. Scientifically, it supports PV-loop–based CMR metrics as a noninvasive way to quantify LV mechanics under PAH-related right ventricular pressure overload.
Castiglione A, Bergström E, Kjellström B et al. · Physiological reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Multimodality imaging of patent ductus arteriosus with severe pulmonary hypertension following 3 pregnancies.
This radiology case report described multimodality imaging of a 46-year-old woman with severe pulmonary hypertension due to a previously unrecognized large patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) following three pregnancies. The key finding is that imaging and right/left heart catheterization demonstrated systemic-level pulmonary vascular resistance with bi-directional shunting and right ventricular dilation/dysfunction. The case highlights the clinical importance of considering adult PDA in unexplained severe pulmonary hypertension and using multimodality imaging to define shunt physiology and guide management.
Corsi D, Mousa A, Patel D et al. · Radiology case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Cardiac MRI for thromboembolism & intracardiac masses
Examination of elevated myocardial extracellular volume and exercise capacity in pediatric Fontan patients at moderate altitude.
This case report studied a 70-year-old woman with recent Takotsubo cardiomyopathy who presented with cardiogenic shock and was found to have large biventricular intracardiac thrombi. Laboratory testing supported probable antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), and management included inotropic support and anticoagulation, but she could not be weaned from inotropes and ultimately chose hospice care. The significance is highlighting the diagnostic uncertainty and limited evidence for managing extensive intracardiac thrombosis in suspected APS with shock.
Arnouts EC, Drysdale ND, Gerstner Saucedo J et al. · Pediatric radiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Navigating Mechanical Support in Cardiogenic Shock With Arterial Hypoplasia: Lessons From Arterial Tortuosity Syndrome.
This case report described a 19-year-old man with arterial tortuosity syndrome (ATS) presenting with cardioembolic stroke and rapidly evolving cardiogenic shock, where multimodality imaging (cranial CTA, aortic angiography, and cardiac MRI) characterized severe biventricular dysfunction and extreme atrial enlargement. The key management limitation was that profound iliofemoral and aortic hypoplasia/tortuosity made mechanical thrombectomy and peripheral VA-ECMO technically unfeasible. The report highlights how ATS-associated vascular anatomy can dictate feasibility of mechanical circulatory support and underscores the need for imaging-guided planning in cardiogenic shock.
Lara-García A, Caro-Codón J, Canales L et al. · Catheterization and cardiovascular interventions : official journal of the Society for Cardiac Angiography & Interventions · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Multi-organ infarctions secondary to a cardiac papillary fibroelastoma in early childhood.
This case report described a 4-year-old girl with acute stroke and renal infarction in whom transthoracic echocardiography and cardiac MRI identified a cardiac papillary fibroelastoma (CPFE). Surgical resection confirmed CPFE on histopathology, linking the tumor to multi-organ embolic infarctions. The report emphasizes that CPFE, though rare in early childhood, should be considered in pediatric patients with embolic events and a cardiac mass.
Alfares F, Alghamdi M, Alkanhal A et al. · Indian journal of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
An indolent course of undifferentiated pleomorphic cardiac sarcoma mimicking myxoma: A case report.
This case report described a 71-year-old woman with cardiac undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS) that initially mimicked a myxoma, with subtle findings on initial cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) and later progressive growth over two years. Surgical resection and immunohistochemistry confirmed high-grade UPS. The report highlights the diagnostic challenge of UPS masquerading as benign atrial tumors and the importance of longitudinal imaging and histopathologic confirmation.
Ziaei H, Palmquist E, Fagman H et al. · Radiology case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Advanced cardiac MRI acquisition & reconstruction (motion correction, acceleration, AI segmentation)
In vivo evidence of blood flow slippage: failure of the no-slip boundary condition assumption.
This study tested whether the in vivo “no-slip” boundary condition holds for blood flow near vessel walls by measuring near-wall tangential velocities and wall shear stress in seven healthy adult volunteers. Using 4D flow cardiovascular magnetic resonance (4D-flow CMR) of the descending thoracic aorta and Navier–Stokes data assimilation, the authors found evidence of blood flow slippage with tangential wall velocities on the order of ~30 (units truncated in the abstract). This is significant because it challenges a foundational assumption in cardiovascular fluid dynamics models and may affect how wall shear stress is computed in clinical and research settings.
Jarolímová A, Hron J, Tůma K et al. · American journal of physiology. Heart and circulatory physiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Dual-Phase 3D Modified Dixon Steady-State MR Angiography in Pediatric Complex Congenital Heart Disease.
This retrospective single-center study evaluated dual-phase 3D modified Dixon (mDixon) steady-state MR angiography (MRA) in pediatric patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) undergoing 3T cardiac MRI with respiratory navigator gating and interleaved diastolic/systolic acquisition. The dual-phase approach improved phase-dependent image quality and enabled more reliable vessel border delineation and vessel diameter measurements across the cardiac cycle. These findings support using dual-phase 3D mDixon steady-state MRA to better quantify pediatric CHD vascular anatomy without breath-holding, potentially improving preoperative planning and follow-up.
Beissel LD, Hart C, Isaak A et al. · Radiology. Cardiothoracic imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Incorporating modality-specific intensity prior as text prompt for multimodal myocardial pathology segmentation.
This 2026 Medical Image Analysis study developed an intensity-guided multimodal myocardial pathology segmentation method (I-MMSeg) for multimodal CMR by using a multimodal large language model (e.g., GPT-4o) to generate modality-specific intensity priors from image data. The key finding is that the generated intensity priors—capturing relative intensity ordering across regions and boundary intensity characteristics—improve segmentation performance for myocardial pathology compared with approaches relying only on morphological/geometric priors. Clinically, this can enhance automated infarct/myocardial pathology delineation for downstream myocardial infarction risk assessment and treatment planning from multimodal CMR.
Fang D, Gu Y, Yu L et al. · Medical image analysis · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Grayscale-inverted bright-blood late gadolinium enhancement improves reader confidence in ischemic scar detection: a multivendor study.
This multivendor single-center study evaluated whether grayscale-inverted bright-blood late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) CMR improves ischemic scar detection compared with standard bright-blood LGE, using 1.5T scanners from GE, Philips, and Siemens. In 120 patients (90 with and 30 without ischemic scar), grayscale inversion increased reader confidence and improved diagnostic performance for detecting ischemic subendocardial scars, with effects assessed across reader experience and vendor. The technique’s vendor-independent post-processing could standardize scar visualization and reduce missed diagnoses in routine clinical CMR.
Károlyi M, Groenhoff L, Spiczak JV et al. · European journal of radiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Accelerated reconstruction of 5D free-running MRI with variable projection-augmented Lagrangian (VPAL).
This study developed an accelerated reconstruction method for ferumoxytol-enhanced 5D free-running whole-heart cardiac MRI using variable projection-augmented Lagrangian (VPAL) reconstruction. In comparison with an alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM) iterative reconstruction, VPAL targeted faster in-line 5D CMR reconstruction while maintaining image quality suitable for clinical use. The work is significant because it could reduce computation time from hours to enable routine deployment of 5D free-running CMR with contrast-like quality.
Yang Y, Naeem M, van Assen M et al. · Magnetic resonance imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
K-CC-MoCo: A Fast k-Space-Based Respiratory Motion Correction for Highly Accelerated First-Pass Perfusion Cardiovascular MR.
This work proposed K-CC-MoCo, a k-space–only inter-frame rigid respiratory motion correction method for highly accelerated free-breathing first-pass perfusion cardiovascular MRI (FPP-CMR). The key finding is that estimating and correcting respiratory motion directly in k-space avoids the need for an initial image-domain reconstruction, making it compatible with model-based and deep learning reconstructions for accelerated acquisitions. Scientifically and clinically, this can improve robustness and image quality of microcirculation/perfusion assessment in coronary artery disease under free-breathing conditions.
Moya-Sáez E, Menchón-Lara RM, Sánchez-González J et al. · Magnetic resonance in medicine · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Rosette Cardiac MR Fingerprinting for Simultaneous T1, T2, T 2 * , and Fat Fraction Mapping Using a Multi-Echo Deep Image Prior Reconstruction.
This study combined a multi-echo cardiac MR fingerprinting (cMRF) acquisition with a deep image prior reconstruction to simultaneously map myocardial T1, T2, T2* and fat fraction using a 2D, single-breathhold, ECG-gated rosette trajectory in cardiac MRI. The key finding was that the deep image prior–based reconstruction enabled quantitative multi-parameter mapping from the single acquisition, leveraging signal sensitization to T1/T2/T2* and fat off-resonance effects. This is significant because it can streamline comprehensive tissue characterization in one scan, potentially improving diagnosis and monitoring of cardiac pathologies.
Cummings E, Cruz G, Richardson J et al. · Magnetic resonance in medicine · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
MoCo + ROVir: Synergy Between Respiratory Motion Compensation and Cardiac Receive Region Focusing for Cardiac MRI.
This study evaluated MoCo+ROVir, a synergistic reconstruction approach that combines rigid respiratory motion compensation (MoCo) with cardiac receive region focusing using region-optimized virtual coils (ROVir) within low-rank tensor (LRT) reconstruction for cardiac- and respiratory-resolved imaging in retrospective pediatric cardiac MRI data (N=24). The key finding was that the combined MoCo+ROVir-LRT reconstruction better prioritized cardiac motion representation over respiratory motion compared with MoCo-LRT or ROVir-LRT alone. This is clinically important for reducing motion-related artifacts and improving the quality of cardiac motion-resolved imaging in pediatric patients.
Hu Z, Lee HL, Cao T et al. · Magnetic resonance in medicine · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
AI/ML for imaging analysis & automated quantification
A comparison of vendor artificial intelligence solutions for automated post-processing of short-axis cine images in cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging.
This study compared three vendor artificial intelligence (AI) solutions for automated segmentation of short-axis cine CMR images against expert-derived measurements in a diverse cohort of 346 cases spanning dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), healthy volunteers, and other cardiac diseases. The key finding is that AI performance varied across models in agreement with ventricular volumes and left ventricular mass (LVM), assessed using correlation/mean differences and segmentation overlap (Dice coefficient). This is important for clinical implementation because it quantifies how different commercial AI tools may produce different quantitative CMR outputs depending on pathology.
Hadler T, Ammann C, Saad H et al. · Scientific reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
AI-based Histologic Heterogeneity of Microvascular Obstruction at Cardiac MRI for Predicting MACEs: A Multicenter Study.
This multicenter retrospective study evaluated an AI-based model that combined automated microvascular obstruction (MVO) segmentation with radiomic feature extraction on cardiac MRI to predict major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) in patients with STEMI. The key finding was that AI-derived heterogeneity features of MVO improved risk prediction compared with manual or less granular assessment, capturing diverse patterns of microvascular injury. Clinically, this supports automated, imaging-based stratification after STEMI to identify patients at higher risk for MACEs and potentially guide management.
Chen BH, Li SL, Xiang JY et al. · Radiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Interpretable machine learning models based on CMR radiomics for predicting left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in patients with metabolic-associated steatotic liver disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus.
This study developed interpretable machine learning models using cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) radiomics plus clinical variables to predict left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) in 175 patients with metabolic-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The key finding is that combining CMR radiomic features with clinical data improves prediction of LVDD compared with clinical data alone, and the model is designed to be interpretable for risk assessment. Scientifically and clinically, this supports earlier identification of LVDD risk in MASLD/T2DM patients to guide preventive or tailored interventions.
Xia J, Leng S, Xu B et al. · Journal of diabetes investigation · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Addressing disparities in transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy: A systematic review of artificial intelligence in the early identification to improve patient outcomes.
This systematic review evaluated artificial intelligence (AI) diagnostic tools for early identification of transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM), with emphasis on underdiagnosis among Black patient populations. Across the included studies, AI applied to non-invasive screening and diagnostic data was reported to detect subtle ATTR-CM patterns that could enable earlier recognition and improved patient outcomes. These findings support further development and equitable validation of AI-based ATTR-CM screening strategies to reduce racial disparities in diagnosis.
Zhang Z, Lim N, Abi-Rached J et al. · Journal of the National Medical Association · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Automated assessment of right heart function by artificial intelligence: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated diagnostic accuracy of artificial intelligence (AI) models for assessing right ventricular (RV) size and function, focusing on AI-based prediction metrics derived from imaging. The key finding was that AI models demonstrated overall diagnostic performance for RV size/function estimation, with pooled accuracy metrics varying by study design and evidence quality. Clinically, this supports the potential of AI to improve RV assessment beyond traditional echocardiography, while also identifying where further high-quality validation is needed.
Eini P, Serpoush H, Rezayee M et al. · European journal of radiology open · (2026) · 2 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Non-contrast / contrast-free imaging strategies
Ferumoxytol-Enhanced Myocardial T1 Tracking Using a Hybrid 2D/3D Steady-State MRI Sequence Captures Cyclic Intramyocardial Blood Volume Dynamics.
This feasibility study developed a ferumoxytol-enhanced (FE) myocardial “T1 tracking” MRI method using a hybrid 2D/3D steady-state sequence to measure systolic-to-diastolic cyclic intramyocardial blood volume (iMBV) dynamics on clinical MRI scanners. The technique captured cyclic iMBV changes across the cardiac cycle, supporting detection of coronary microcirculation-related physiology without vasodilator stress. If validated clinically, FE T1 tracking could provide a noninvasive MRI biomarker for coronary artery disease (CAD) and microvascular dysfunction.
Unal HB, Zeynali S, Ahmed A et al. · NMR in biomedicine · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Simultaneous Multi-Slice Acceleration for Free-Breathing Motion Corrected Late Gadolinium Enhancement Imaging.
This study developed and evaluated a free-breathing, motion-corrected, averaged late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) cardiac MRI protocol combining simultaneous multi-slice (SMS) bSSFP with GC-LOLA correction and phase-sensitive inversion recovery (PSIR) reconstruction in 26 patients referred for clinical cardiac MRI. The key finding was that the SMS-accelerated FB PSIR-MoCo LGE protocol produced image-quality metrics (e.g., myocardial sharpness and scar-to-blood/healthy myocardium contrast-to-noise estimates) comparable to a non-SMS reference while enabling faster acquisition. Clinically, this supports more efficient LGE imaging in patients who cannot reliably hold their breath, improving feasibility of scar assessment.
Kowalik GT, Kunze KP, Bosio F et al. · Magnetic resonance in medicine · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Translational models & therapeutics (drugs, radiotherapy, animal models, iPSC, metabolism)
EuroNet-PHL-LP1: Complete resection or low-dose chemo for pediatric low-risk nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma.
This prospective phase III trial studied children and adolescents (<18 years) with early-stage (stage IA/IIA) nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma (nLPHL) to test whether complete resection alone or low-intensity, anthracycline-free CVP chemotherapy could replace standard approaches. It found that completely resected disease was managed with active surveillance, while unresectable nodal disease received three cycles of CVP (cyclophosphamide, vincristine, prednisone), aiming to maintain high 5-year event-free survival while reducing treatment intensity. The clinical significance is potentially lowering exposure to anthracyclines in pediatric low-risk nLPHL while preserving outcomes.
Shankar AG, Landman-Parker J, Mascarin M et al. · Blood advances · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Exercise recommendations for patients with Marfan syndrome: an updated review.
This updated review summarized evidence and practical guidance on exercise recommendations for patients with Marfan syndrome, a genetic autosomal dominant connective tissue disorder with major cardiovascular risks from aortic root dilatation and dissection. The key conclusion is that exercise should be individualized and generally favors lower-intensity, safer modalities while avoiding activities that substantially increase aortic wall stress. This is significant because it translates pathophysiology and guideline evidence into actionable counseling to reduce catastrophic cardiovascular events while preserving health benefits of physical activity.
Jayaratne N, Gianni A, Riding N et al. · European journal of preventive cardiology · (2026) · 1 citations · View on PubMed ↗
A Slc5a6-Deficient Mouse Model Reveals Metabolically Driven Cardiomyopathy with Therapeutic Potential for Vitamin-Based Intervention.
This study investigated how mutations in the sodium-dependent multivitamin transporter gene SLC5A6 affect energy metabolism and cause early-onset dilated cardiomyopathy in two human families, using a cardiac-specific Slc5a6 knockout mouse (Slc5a6cKO) model. Slc5a6cKO mice developed progressive cardiac dysfunction with hypertrophy, fibrosis, impaired coenzyme A synthesis, and premature death, and the phenotype showed therapeutic potential for vitamin-based supplementation targeting biotin/pantothenic acid uptake. These findings support a metabolically driven mechanism for SLC5A6-related cardiomyopathy and suggest vitamin intervention as a rational, gene-pathway–directed therapy.
Fullerton MO, Phillips LC, Redgrave RE et al. · JCI insight · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Open-Irrigated Helical Radiofrequency Septal Ablation for Obstructive Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.
This case report described a 60-year-old man with drug-refractory obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (oHCM) treated with open-irrigated helical radiofrequency septal ablation via a dedicated open-irrigated helical radiofrequency catheter through subclavian venous access. The provoked LV outflow tract gradient fell from 130 to 30 mm Hg immediately and remained improved at 12 months, with septal fibrosis observed on 6-month cardiac MRI and no reported procedural or follow-up complications. The report suggests feasibility and potential effectiveness of this specific open-irrigated helical RF technique for septal reduction in oHCM.
Sun Y, Zhou X, Zhang M et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Arteriovenous fistula creation results in cardiac dysfunction and remodeling in a uremic pig model.
This preclinical large-animal study induced chronic kidney disease (CKD) in uremic pigs via renal embolization and then created arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) to characterize cardiovascular changes and cardiac remodeling. AVF creation produced cardiac dysfunction along with remodeling consistent with maladaptive hemodynamic compensation in the uremic state. The model provides a translational platform to investigate mechanisms and potential interventions for AVF-associated cardiovascular risk in end-stage kidney disease (ESKD).
Kane J, Singh PG, Kilari S et al. · American journal of physiology. Renal physiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
A rapid phage-free platform for antigen-specific VNAR screening with BATCH system.
This methodological study created a rapid phage-free bacterial two-hybrid screening platform (BATCH) for antigen-specific shark-derived VNAR discovery using a Cre recombinase-immunized Chiloscyllium plagiosum spleen cDNA library (~10^8 diversity). Screening in BTH101 cells using dual lacZ and chloramphenicol resistance (CmR) readouts with triple lacO sites and cAMP feedback yielded two unique VNAR binders (VNAR1a and VNAR1b). The approach expands VNAR discovery beyond phage display by enabling faster, phage-free identification of antigen binders.
Tang W, Hu J, Zhu Y et al. · Protein science : a publication of the Protein Society · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Absolute and workload-indexed exercise blood pressure responses: associations with cardiac output, vascular resistance, and cardiorespiratory fitness in females.
This study examined how systolic blood pressure (SBP) responses during cardiopulmonary exercise testing relate to cardiac output (CO), vascular resistance, and cardiorespiratory fitness in 135 adult females (51±8 years) across a wide fitness range. SBP responses were stratified by maximal SBP (SBPmax <190 vs ≥190 mmHg) and workload-indexed SBP (SBP/W-slope), and the authors report associations of these SBP response patterns with peak CO and determinants of V̇o2peak. These findings suggest that exercise SBP behavior—especially when indexed to workload—may improve physiological risk interpretation beyond absolute SBP in women.
Janssens K, Howden EJ, Mitchell AM et al. · American journal of physiology. Heart and circulatory physiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Integrative omics analysis incorporating cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging pinpoints potentially druggable plasma proteins for cardiovascular diseases.
This study integrated cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging traits with proteomics genetics to identify potentially druggable plasma proteins for cardiovascular diseases using ARIC protein quantitative trait loci (pQTL) and genome-wide association studies (GWAS) for 19 CVDs and 82 CMR traits. The key finding is that proteome-wide association study (PWAS) and Mendelian randomization (MR) approaches can prioritize plasma proteins whose genetic regulation is linked to CMR phenotypes and CVD risk, yielding candidate drug targets. Scientifically, this provides a framework to move from CMR biomarkers to causal, druggable plasma protein candidates for CVDs.
Gong W, Guo P, Liu L et al. · Life metabolism · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
One-year worsening heart failure and myocardial T1 mapping in patients with wild-type transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy undergoing tafamidis treatment.
This retrospective study evaluated short-term treatment responsiveness using myocardial T1 mapping on cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) in 60 wild-type transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM) patients treated with tafamidis. After baseline CMR measurement of native myocardial T1 (T1native) and extracellular volume fraction (ECV), the authors followed patients for one year for worsening heart failure (WHF) and report that myocardial T1 mapping metrics relate to one-year clinical worsening under tafamidis therapy. Clinically, T1 mapping may help identify which wild-type ATTR-CM patients are more likely to experience WHF despite tafamidis.
Kitagawa T, Hamamoto K, Okamoto D et al. · International journal of cardiology. Heart & vasculature · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Forecasting mortality and decomposition analysis for cancer deaths in Egypt (2014-2030).
This study analyzed time trends and drivers of cancer mortality in Egypt from 2014–2023 for 19 cancer types and forecasted mortality through 2030 using national vital registration data. Using a hybrid ARIMA–ETS forecasting model and decomposition analysis, the authors found projected increases in cancer mortality and quantified contributions from population growth, population aging, and age-specific mortality rates. The results are significant for public health planning by identifying demographic and epidemiologic drivers that will shape Egypt’s cancer burden to 2030.
Elshishiney G, Li M, Zou Y et al. · Cancer epidemiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Effect of Interleukin-6 Receptor Inhibition by Tocilizumab on Platelet Activation and Markers of Thrombus Formation: A Substudy of the ASSAIL-MI Trial.
This substudy of the ASSAIL-MI trial investigated whether interleukin-6 receptor (IL-6R) inhibition with tocilizumab alters platelet activation and thrombus-formation markers in patients with myocardial infarction. The authors measured soluble platelet activation markers (P-selectin, sCD40L) and coagulation/fibrinolysis markers (tissue factor [TF], TF pathway inhibitor [TFPI], PAI-1, and D-dimer) and report that tocilizumab modulates these inflammatory–coagulation pathways compared with control. The clinical significance is that IL-6R blockade may influence thrombogenic biology in MI, potentially contributing to improved myocardial salvage beyond inflammation alone.
Ueland T, Dahl TB, Michelsen A et al. · Arteriosclerosis, thrombosis, and vascular biology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Low-dose ventricular radiotherapy in wild-type transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis: a prospective, first-in-human, exploratory clinical trial.
This first-in-human prospective exploratory trial studied low-dose ventricular radiotherapy (10 Gy in 5 daily fractions) in patients with wild-type transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis (ATTRwt-CA), targeting the left ventricle. The key finding is that treatment was assessed using 18F-Flutemetamol amyloid PET (septal and lateral LV tissue-to-background ratio) and CMR measures (extracellular volume and T1 mapping) at baseline and 12 weeks to determine changes in cardiac amyloid burden and imaging biomarkers. If efficacy signals and safety are confirmed, this would establish a novel radiotherapy-based disease-modifying approach for ATTRwt-CA guided by PET/CMR quantification.
Guijarro D, Massie E, Zilli T et al. · International journal of cardiology. Heart & vasculature · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Real-world multi-institution analysis of tarlatamab in patients with small cell lung cancer.
This multicenter retrospective real-world analysis evaluated tarlatamab outcomes in small cell lung cancer (SCLC) patients across three US institutions who received at least one dose between 5/16/2024 and 6/15/2025, including a “trial-ineligible” subgroup defined by criteria such as ECOG performance status ≥2 and prior grade ≥2 pneumonitis or interstitial lung disease. The key finding is that real-world effectiveness and tolerability of tarlatamab can differ from pivotal trial populations because trial-ineligible patients represent a higher-risk clinical phenotype. Clinically, these data help clinicians anticipate outcomes and safety when using tarlatamab in broader, less-selected SCLC populations.
Cooper AJ, Liang J, McDonald S et al. · Lung cancer (Amsterdam, Netherlands) · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
A high-fat diet nutritional intervention reprograms cardiac metabolism and improves systolic function in a pig model of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction.
This pig model study induced heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and a metabolic switch toward increased myocardial glucose uptake by creating viable dysfunctional myocardium via progressive coronary artery stenosis, then randomized pigs to a high-fat diet (20% lard) versus control for two months. The high-fat diet reprogrammed cardiac metabolism and improved systolic function compared with control. These results suggest dietary modulation of myocardial fuel utilization may be a therapeutic avenue for HFrEF, warranting translation to human studies.
Galán-Arriola C, Pérez-Camargo D, Ferrarini A et al. · Basic research in cardiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Deciphering Leukocyte Subpopulation Contributions to Ventricle Remodeling and Neuroinflammation After Myocardial Infarction Using Total-Body Molecular Imaging.
This preclinical study used total-body molecular imaging with PET in C57BL/6N mice after permanent coronary artery ligation to model myocardial infarction (MI), testing how macrophages and neutrophils contribute to ventricle remodeling and concurrent neuroinflammation. Pharmacologic immune modulation—clodronate-loaded liposome depletion of peripheral macrophages and Ly6G neutralization to inhibit neutrophils—altered post-MI inflammatory signaling linked to neuroinflammation. Scientifically, the work supports a mechanistic role for specific leukocyte subpopulations in coupling cardiac inflammation to brain-related outcomes after MI.
Lolatte K, Hess A, Willmann M et al. · Journal of nuclear medicine : official publication, Society of Nuclear Medicine · (2026) · 2 citations · View on PubMed ↗
Three-Hour Infusion of Methotrexate at 3 g/m2 With or Without Intrathecal Chemotherapy Significantly Reduces CNS Relapses and Improves Survival in Patients With Large B-Cell Lymphomas at Increased CNS Risk.
This clinical study in 336 patients with large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL) at increased central nervous system (CNS) risk evaluated a pharmacokinetic-informed CNS-directed high-dose methotrexate (HD-MTX) regimen of 3 g/m2 infused over 3 hours (with a preceding bolus), with or without additional intrathecal chemotherapy, after achieving complete metabolic response by CMR following R-CHOP or derivatives. The protocol significantly reduced CNS relapses and improved survival, using updated CNS risk criteria (e.g., CNS-IPI ≥4 or ≥3 extranodal sites). These results support a dosing-schedule–informed HD-MTX strategy to improve CNS prophylaxis outcomes in high-risk LBCL.
Ferreri AJM, Erbella F, Angelillo P et al. · American journal of hematology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Generation of three heterozygous and two homozygous hiPSC lines from a CPVT associated mutation RYR2_p.G357S from a large family of the Canary Islands.
This study generated induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) lines from skin fibroblasts of carriers in a large Canary Islands family with catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) due to an RYR2 mutation (RYR2_p.G357S; reported as RYR2_c.G1069A/p.G357S). Using non-integrative episomal plasmids, the authors produced three heterozygous and two homozygous hiPSC lines with normal karyotype, tri-lineage differentiation potential, and expression of pluripotency markers and genes. These patient-specific hiPSC resources enable mechanistic studies and drug testing for CPVT linked to RYR2 dysfunction.
Carreras D, Martínez-Moreno R, Selga E et al. · Stem cell research · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Electronic tools to facilitate medication review in nursing homes: a pilot study.
This pilot implementation study evaluated electronic tools (GheOP³S-tool and EBMeDS®CMR) to facilitate medication review (MR) in nursing home residents by community pharmacists. In one nursing home (Jan–Jul 2024), the study assessed how the tools detected potential drug-related problems (pDRPs) and the overall clinical and economic impact of the resulting MR workflow. If effective, these decision-support tools could reduce the time burden of MR and improve medication safety in long-term care settings.
Carrein M, Capiau A, Mehuys E et al. · Acta clinica Belgica · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
SGLT2 inhibitors therapy in patients with acute Takotsubo syndrome.
This study evaluated safety, tolerability, and effects on myocardial recovery and inflammation of SGLT2 inhibitors (dapagliflozin or empagliflozin) in 22 patients with acute Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) compared with 44 propensity-score–matched untreated patients. Patients receiving SGLT2 inhibitors underwent cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) with T2 mapping within 7 days of admission, and the trial reported improved myocardial recovery/inflammatory profile versus untreated controls. These findings suggest SGLT2 inhibition may be a clinically relevant adjunct therapy to improve early CMR-defined myocardial recovery in acute TTS.
Arcari L, Camastra G, Sclafani M et al. · International journal of cardiology · (2026) · 1 citations · View on PubMed ↗
Systematic Review of International Population Studies With Cardiac Magnetic Resonance and Genomics Research Data (“Imagenomics”).
This systematic review assessed international population biobanks and studies that combine cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR)-derived phenotyping with large-scale genotyping, focusing on “Imagenomics” opportunities and challenges. The authors identified 17 relevant biobanks, collectively recruiting about 1 million participants with stored blood for genomic analyses, with more than 180,000 having or planned to undergo CMR. The review highlights how CMR–genomics integration can accelerate gene–lifestyle–disease interaction research while emphasizing the need for robust governance of expansive personal data.
Hesse K, Aung N, Petersen SE et al. · JACC. Cardiovascular imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
ACR Appropriateness Criteria® Preprocedural Chest or Cardiac Imaging for Cardiothoracic Surgery.
This article is an ACR Appropriateness Criteria® review that studied evidence for preprocedural chest or cardiac imaging strategies in patients undergoing cardiothoracic surgery. It synthesizes imaging indications across different surgical categories (noncoronary, coronary, and thoracic) and contexts (first-time versus repeat surgery) to guide appropriate use of imaging before operative intervention. Clinically, it aims to standardize imaging selection to improve perioperative planning while avoiding unnecessary tests.
Malik SB, Moore WH, Ghoshhajra BB et al. · Journal of the American College of Radiology : JACR · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Canagliflozin attenuates CMR-quantified myocardial fibrosis in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus at high cardiovascular risk: a randomised open-label controlled trial.
This randomized open-label controlled trial tested whether canagliflozin attenuates CMR-quantified myocardial fibrosis and affects cardiac structure/function and microcirculation in 45 high-cardiovascular-risk adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and LVEF >50%. Using CMR quantification as the primary assessment, the study evaluated changes in myocardial fibrosis alongside microvascular and functional measures after treatment with canagliflozin versus control. If confirmed, the findings would support a mechanistic cardiovascular benefit of the SGLT2 inhibitor canagliflozin in early myocardial remodeling in high-risk T2DM.
Yan H, Liu J, Zhang Z et al. · Diabetologia · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Interfacial polarisation, electrical modulus and relaxation dynamics in composite ceramics for multiferroic applications.
This materials science study investigated interfacial polarization, electrical modulus, and relaxation dynamics in composite multiferroic ceramics composed of (1-x)BaTi0.9Zr0.1O3 + (x)Li0.5Fe2.5O4 (x = 0.00–0.15) synthesized by solid-state reaction. Increasing Li0.5Fe2.5O4 content reduced grain size and increased dislocation density, which enhanced interfacial polarization and produced frequency- and temperature-dependent dielectric behavior with non-Debye relaxation characteristics. These results are relevant for optimizing ceramic compositions to improve dielectric performance and charge-relaxation properties in multiferroic applications.
Gajula GR, Buddiga LR, Srinivas G et al. · Journal of colloid and interface science · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Mortality patterns in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and diabetes mellitus in the United States: a retrospective analysis from 1999 to 2019.
This retrospective study analyzed mortality patterns in U.S. adults (age ≥25) with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and diabetes mellitus (DM) using CDC WONDER data from 1999–2019. Across the period, there were 613,779 deaths with an average annual percent change (AAPC) in age-adjusted mortality rate of 1.59%, and males had higher age-adjusted mortality rates than females. These findings quantify long-term COPD+DM mortality trends and highlight demographic disparities that can inform targeted public health interventions.
Fatima M, Fatima F, Raza A et al. · Journal of diabetes and metabolic disorders · (2026) · 1 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Efficacy of low dose colchicine on left ventricular hypertrophy in patients with coronary artery disease: A randomized controlled trial.
This randomized controlled trial tested whether low-dose colchicine (0.6 mg daily) reduces left ventricular hypertrophy in 66 patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), and controlled blood pressure over 48 weeks versus placebo. The primary endpoint was change in left ventricular mass index (LVMI) measured by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, and the study found colchicine produced a beneficial reduction in LVMI compared with placebo. These results support an anti-inflammatory strategy using colchicine to mitigate LVH progression in CAD patients.
Chichareon P, Suwannanon R, Thungthienthong M et al. · British journal of clinical pharmacology · (2026) · 3 citations · View on PubMed ↗
Development of Antibody-Drug Conjugates Targeting L1CAM to Treat Metastatic Cancer.
This preclinical study developed antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) targeting L1CAM to eliminate drug-resistant metastatic cancer stem cells (MetSCs) in metastatic disease models. The key finding was that L1CAM-directed ADCs selectively targeted MetSCs expressing L1CAM and improved therapeutic outcomes by addressing chemotherapy-resistant metastatic populations. This is significant because it provides a targeted strategy to overcome relapse driven by MetSCs in metastatic cancer.
Park JS, Kenum C, He L et al. · Molecular cancer therapeutics · (2026) · 1 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Generated automatically on June 04, 2026. Covers PubMed articles published May 28, 2026 – June 04, 2026. Summaries are AI-generated; always consult the original publication for clinical or research decisions.