What's New in Cardiac MRI? — June 08, 2026
AI-summarised digest of 90 PubMed articles on Cardiac MRI published in the last 7 days.
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What’s New in Cardiac MRI?
June 08, 2026 · 90 articles · 15 research themes · covering June 01, 2026 – June 08, 2026
Overview
Across this week’s set of studies, a dominant theme is the growing use of cardiac MRI (CMR) not just for diagnosis, but for scalable risk stratification and mechanistic phenotyping. Multiple cohorts and AI/ML approaches leverage CMR-derived features—such as microvascular obstruction heterogeneity, native T1/ECV mapping, late gadolinium enhancement patterns, and left atrial/diastolic metrics—to predict major adverse cardiovascular events after STEMI, in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and in other high-risk groups. Complementing these data-driven models, several studies emphasize standardization and interpretability: field-strength–specific mapping cut-points, automated segmentation reliability across vendors, and interpretable radiomics models for diastolic dysfunction.
A second major thread is tissue characterization as a unifying language across diverse diseases. Reviews and primary studies highlight how myocardial edema, fibrosis, and amyloid-related changes can be detected and interpreted with CMR mapping (including T1/T2/ECV), and how these signals relate to outcomes—ranging from anthracycline cardiotoxicity (including animal validation) to tafamidis responsiveness in wild-type ATTR cardiomyopathy. In parallel, CMR is increasingly integrated with other modalities (PET, CT, echocardiography) to resolve diagnostic uncertainty—seen in Takotsubo pathways, isolated cardiac sarcoidosis, pericardial mass mimics, and inflammatory valvuloaortic disease.
Finally, the digest reflects major engineering and workflow advances that make CMR more practical and reproducible: non-contact optical gating, oxygenation-sensitive real-time sequences, automated free-breathing acquisition, and motion-correction for fetal imaging. These technical improvements align with clinical needs in complex populations (pediatric congenital heart disease, Fontan physiology, and patients where ECG/contrast constraints exist). Together, the studies point toward a future where CMR combines robust acquisition, automated quantification, and multimodal/biomarker context to deliver earlier detection and more personalized management.
Cardiac MRI AI/ML for Risk Prediction & 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 AI solutions for automated post-processing of short-axis cine cardiac MRI segmentation against expert-derived measurements in 346 cases across multiple cardiac conditions including dilated cardiomyopathy and left ventricular hypertrophy. The key finding is that AI-derived ventricular volumes and left ventricular mass show variable agreement with expert segmentation depending on the model, assessed via correlation/mean differences, Dice similarity, and slice detection performance. Scientifically and clinically, it informs which automated CMR segmentation tools are most reliable for consistent quantitative workflow outputs across diverse patient populations.
Hadler T, Ammann C, Saad H et al. · Scientific reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Machine Learning-based Model for Major Adverse Cardiac Event Prediction in Patients with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.
This retrospective cohort study developed a machine learning risk model for major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) who underwent cardiac MRI (balanced cine SSFP, native T1/T2 mapping, and late gadolinium enhancement) between 2015 and 2022. Using a penalized Cox proportional hazards model with elastic-net regularization (CoxNet), the study identified key MRI-derived predictors and produced a model intended to stratify patients by MACE risk (cardiovascular death, resuscitated sudden cardiac death, or heart failure hospitalization). If validated, this CMR-based ML approach could improve individualized prognosis and guide surveillance/therapy intensity in HCM.
Geyer T, McIntosh C, Sood V et al. · Radiology. Cardiothoracic imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
AI-based Histologic Heterogeneity of Microvascular Obstruction at Cardiac MRI for Predicting MACEs: A Multicenter Study.
This multicenter retrospective study evaluated an AI model that automatically segments microvascular obstruction (MVO) on cardiac MRI and extracts radiomic features to quantify MVO heterogeneity for predicting MACEs in STEMI patients with MVO. The key finding was that AI-derived, heterogeneity-focused MVO characterization improved prediction of major adverse cardiovascular events compared with manual or less informative approaches (details truncated in the abstract). Clinically, automated radiomics of MVO heterogeneity could enable more scalable post-STEMI risk stratification and potentially refine management of patients at highest risk.
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 was that the combined radiomics–clinical model could stratify LVDD risk in this metabolic population with interpretability features to support clinical use. This advances noninvasive CMR-based early risk assessment for LVDD in MASLD/T2DM, potentially enabling earlier intervention.
Xia J, Leng S, Xu B et al. · Journal of diabetes investigation · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Cardiac MRI Tissue Characterization (Mapping, Edema, Fibrosis, Amyloid)
Field Strength Dependence, Physiologic Correlates, and Prognostic Significance of Ventricular Blood Pool T2 Mapping on Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Imaging.
This retrospective CMR study measured right-to-left ventricular blood pool T2 mapping field-strength–dependent determinants and assessed prognostic value for major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in adults undergoing cardiovascular magnetic resonance at 1.5T or 3T. The key finding was that ventricular blood pool T2 ratios (RV/LV BP T2) depend on field strength and physiologic correlates, enabling field-specific cut-points for predicting MACE. This is clinically important because it supports more accurate interpretation of T2 mapping by accounting for scanner field strength and physiology when using blood-pool T2 as a prognostic marker.
Iarovich MD, Ibrahim F, Matos JF et al. · Journal of cardiovascular magnetic resonance : official journal of the Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Reference Ranges for Myocardial Native T1, T2, and Extracellular Volume at 5.0T Cardiac MRI in Healthy Adults.
This prospective study established reference ranges for myocardial native T1, T2, and extracellular volume (ECV) in 181 healthy Chinese adults aged 20–80 years using 5.0T cardiac MRI. The key finding is that normal values for these tissue-mapping parameters can be quantified at 5.0T using left ventricular T1/T2 mapping techniques. This is significant because it enables more accurate interpretation of CMR mapping results for suspected myocardial disease on 5.0T scanners.
Wang S, Qian X, Wu Y et al. · Journal of cardiovascular magnetic resonance : official journal of the Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Quantitative 99mTc-PYP SPECT/CT at 90 minutes improves diagnostic stratification in transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis.
This retrospective single-center study assessed whether quantitative 99mTc-PYP SPECT/CT at 90 minutes post-injection improves diagnostic stratification for transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis beyond standard planar imaging at 60 and 180 minutes. In 170 patients with suspected cardiac amyloidosis, quantitative SPECT/CT uptake metrics helped resolve diagnostic uncertainty, particularly in cases with Perugini score 1 on planar imaging. The results suggest that adding 90-minute quantitative SPECT/CT can increase specificity and improve non-invasive diagnosis of ATTR cardiac amyloidosis.
Nazerani-Zemann T, Stanzel S, Weitzer F et al. · European journal of nuclear medicine and molecular imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Biventricular dysfunction and blood oxygenation deficits in obstructive sleep apnea: a prospective study with non-contrast cardiac MRI.
In a prospective study of 75 newly diagnosed obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients (stratified by severe vs non-severe) undergoing polysomnography followed by non-contrast cardiac MRI, the investigators assessed biventricular function, mechanics, and tissue characteristics using cine imaging plus native T1 and T2 mapping. The key finding was that non-contrast CMR metrics differed between severe and non-severe OSA and were associated with markers of nocturnal hypoxemia, indicating subclinical myocardial involvement despite potentially normal conventional metrics. This supports non-contrast CMR as an early risk stratification tool in OSA based on hypoxemia-linked myocardial changes.
Wang J, Cheng Z, Du J et al. · BMC medical imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Ferumoxytol-Enhanced Myocardial T1 Tracking Using a Hybrid 2D/3D Steady-State MRI Sequence Captures Cyclic Intramyocardial Blood Volume Dynamics.
This feasibility study evaluated ferumoxytol-enhanced (FE) MRI using a new hybrid 2D/3D steady-state “T1 tracking” technique to measure cyclic systole-to-diastole intramyocardial blood volume (iMBV) dynamics on clinical MRI scanners. The method captured cyclic iMBV changes without requiring vasodilator stress, supporting its use as an imaging marker of coronary microcirculation and coronary artery disease (CAD). Scientifically, it advances a practical MRI approach for assessing microvascular function and CAD using blood-volume dynamics derived from ferumoxytol T1 tracking.
Unal HB, Zeynali S, Ahmed A et al. · NMR in biomedicine · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Cardiac MRI in Depiction of Myocardial Edema: A Comprehensive Review.
This comprehensive review studied the imaging depiction of myocardial edema across cardiovascular diseases, focusing on how edema arises from disrupted myocardial fluid homeostasis and how it presents clinically in ischemic, inflammatory, infiltrative, toxic, infectious, and autoimmune conditions. It summarizes key cardiac MRI strategies, common artifacts, differential diagnoses, and the clinical implications for risk stratification. The review is significant because it consolidates practical guidance for interpreting myocardial edema on imaging and improving diagnostic accuracy 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 evaluated 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 receiving weekly intravenous doxorubicin (2 mg/kg) for up to 12 weeks, MRI parametric mapping parameters were analyzed with Cox proportional hazards models to assess association with early death. The work is significant because it supports MRI biomarkers (native T1 and ECV) as prognostic tools for early fatal cardiotoxicity risk in anthracycline-treated subjects.
Kim NY, Park J, Park HS et al. · Radiology. Cardiothoracic imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
One-year worsening heart failure and myocardial T1 mapping in patients with wild-type transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy undergoing tafamidis treatment.
This retrospective study evaluated 60 wild-type transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM) patients undergoing tafamidis therapy, using baseline cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) native myocardial T1 (T1native) and extracellular volume fraction (ECV) and tracking one-year worsening heart failure (WHF) outcomes. The key finding was that baseline myocardial T1 mapping measures (T1native/ECV) were informative for short-term treatment responsiveness and/or risk of one-year WHF in tafamidis-treated wild-type ATTR-CM. Clinically, this suggests CMR T1 mapping could help stratify prognosis and monitor therapeutic effect in ATTR-CM beyond standard biomarkers.
Kitagawa T, Hamamoto K, Okamoto D et al. · International journal of cardiology. Heart & vasculature · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Diagnostic and prognostic value of T2 mapping in cardiac sarcoidosis.
This diagnostic/prognostic study enrolled 39 patients with cardiac sarcoidosis who underwent both 3T cardiac magnetic resonance T1/T2 mapping and 18F-FDG PET to assess active inflammation and fibrosis-related changes. The key finding was that T2 mapping (and related mapping metrics) showed diagnostic and prognostic utility for cardiac sarcoidosis, potentially addressing limitations of PET for routine follow-up and late gadolinium enhancement for inflammation detection. Clinically, T2 mapping could provide a radiation-free, contrast-free approach to monitor inflammation activity and predict outcomes in cardiac sarcoidosis.
Uno M, Kosuge H, Kobayashi M et al. · International journal of cardiology. Heart & vasculature · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Cardiac MRI in Specific Cardiomyopathies & Inherited/Structural Heart Disease
Dilated Cardiomyopathy in a Woman With SPG4-Associated Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia.
This case report described a 54-year-old woman with genetically confirmed SPG4-associated hereditary spastic paraplegia (SPG4-HSP) who developed progressive dyspnea and a new left bundle branch block. Cardiac imaging (echocardiography and cardiac MRI) demonstrated nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy with reduced ejection fraction and dyssynchrony, while extended cardiomyopathy gene testing was negative for additional causative variants. The report is clinically significant because it documents dilated cardiomyopathy as a previously unreported cardiac manifestation of SPG4-HSP, supporting broader systemic evaluation in SPG4-HSP patients.
Gude S, Kleiven Ø, Edvardsen T · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Apical Takotsubo Syndrome After Elective Stenting of the Left Anterior Descending Artery.
This case report studied a 77-year-old woman who developed apical Takotsubo syndrome shortly after elective percutaneous coronary intervention with stenting of the left anterior descending (LAD) artery. Although post-procedural chest pain and ECG changes suggested acute myocardial infarction, coronary angiography showed a patent stent without acute thrombosis, supporting Takotsubo syndrome as the diagnosis. The clinical significance is that Takotsubo can mimic procedural MI after PCI (including type 4a MI), so CMR and careful diagnostic workup are important to avoid misclassification and guide management.
Vitalieva K, Shalaginova Y, Stukalova O et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
The timing and relationship of ventricular arrhythmia with exercise patterns in veteran male endurance athletes.
This study enrolled 106 healthy veteran male endurance athletes (≥50 years) and used cardiac MRI plus implantable loop recorders (ILRs) to determine whether exercise training patterns relate to the incidence and timing of ventricular arrhythmias. Fifty-five ventricular arrhythmia events occurred during follow-up, and the analysis tested associations between daily exercise patterns and when ventricular arrhythmias emerged relative to training. The significance is that long-term endurance training may influence ventricular arrhythmia risk timing, informing surveillance strategies in older 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 observational study assessed 296 young (median 19 years), 138 middle-aged (56 years), and 66 middle-aged non-athletic control male participants using cardiac MRI for myocardial fibrosis and biventricular systolic function, with 24-hour Holter monitoring for ventricular arrhythmias. Non-hinge-point myocardial fibrosis was more prevalent in middle-aged athletes than in young athletes and controls, and the study evaluated how fibrosis related to ventricular arrhythmias and reduced systolic function. The clinical significance is that age- and training-related myocardial fibrosis may be a substrate linking endurance exercise to arrhythmia burden and subtle systolic impairment.
De Paepe J, D’Ambrosio P, De Bosscher R et al. · European journal of preventive cardiology · (2026) · 2 citations · View on PubMed ↗
Cardiopulmonary physical fitness and tissue characterization through T1 and T2 mapping: new insights on athlete’s heart.
This study examined elite healthy athletes undergoing maximal cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) and non-contrast cardiac MRI with T1 and T2 mapping to determine how CMR tissue characterization relates to cardiorespiratory fitness. The key finding was that CPET-derived physical fitness metrics were associated with CMR T1/T2 mapping measures reflecting cardiac remodeling in athlete’s heart. This is significant because it helps clarify how noninvasive CMR mapping can be used to interpret physiologic athletic remodeling versus early cardiomyopathy.
Graziano F, Balla D, Juhasz V et al. · European journal of preventive cardiology · (2026) · 5 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Exercise recommendations for patients with Marfan syndrome: an updated review.
This updated review studied the evidence base for exercise recommendations in patients with Marfan syndrome (MFS), a multisystem autosomal dominant connective tissue disorder with major cardiovascular risk from aortic root dilatation and dissection. The key conclusion was that exercise guidance should be individualized and generally favors safer aerobic activities while avoiding high-intensity or high-afterload exertion that may increase aortic stress. The clinical significance is that the review provides updated, practical risk-informed exercise recommendations to help clinicians and patients balance cardiovascular benefits against aortic complications in MFS.
Jayaratne N, Gianni A, Riding N et al. · European journal of preventive cardiology · (2026) · 1 citations · View on PubMed ↗
Cardiac magnetic resonance feature tracking in Olympic athletes: a myocardial deformation analysis.
This study evaluated Olympic athletes with normal cardiovascular screening and sedentary controls using non-contrast cardiac MRI feature tracking to quantify myocardial deformation. The key finding was that myocardial deformation patterns differed by sports discipline and sex, supporting the idea that athlete’s heart produces measurable functional remodeling that can complicate differentiation from early cardiomyopathy. The significance is that CMR feature tracking may improve interpretation of myocardial mechanics in athletes and support more accurate clinical assessment during pre-participation screening.
Monosilio S, Prosperi S, Filomena D et al. · European journal of preventive cardiology · (2026) · 7 citations · View on PubMed ↗
Takotsubo Syndrome Mimicking Apical Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: A Case Report.
This case report studied a 66-year-old woman presenting with stress-triggered cardiomyopathy features that initially mimicked takotsubo syndrome (TTS) but later suggested apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (ApHCM). The key finding was that early imaging overlap between TTS apical ballooning and ApHCM apical wall thickening/possible apex obliteration led to evolving diagnostic suspicion over time. Clinically, it highlights the need for careful longitudinal reassessment to distinguish reversible TTS from ApHCM when early imaging is ambiguous.
Vögeli B, Hacialioglu RA, Cevik B et al. · Clinical case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
A case report of a secondary Takotsubo syndrome after sudden cardiac arrest in a teenager with LQTS2.
This case report studied an 18-year-old female with congenital long-QT syndrome type 2 (LQTS2) who developed secondary takotsubo syndrome after out-of-hospital ventricular fibrillation cardiac arrest. The key finding was that emergency coronary angiography showed normal coronaries with apical segment hypokinesia consistent with TTS physiology following the arrest. The clinical significance is that TTS can complicate malignant arrhythmia events in LQTS2, affecting acute management and risk assessment.
Georgiadis M, Ziakos A, Kamper L et al. · European heart journal. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Association of Mitral Annular Disjunction on Magnetic Resonance Imaging With Cardiovascular Outcomes.
This prospective CMR registry analysis (n=1969) studied the prevalence and prognostic impact of mitral annular disjunction (MAD) defined as ≥1 mm separation between the left atrial wall and adjacent LV myocardium, assessed at both end-systole and end-diastole, and its association with native T1 relaxation times. The study found that MAD on CMR was associated with cardiovascular outcomes and related to native T1 measures, suggesting a link between MAD and underlying myocardial tissue characteristics. These findings support MAD as a potentially actionable CMR biomarker for risk prediction and mechanistic insight.
Mascherbauer K, Nantschev N, Kronberger C et al. · European journal of clinical investigation · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
From healthy to heart failure in 24 hours: defining the upper limit of exercise-induced cardiac fatigue.
This study investigated cardiac consequences of extreme endurance exercise by repeatedly imaging and biomarker testing a former professional ultra-endurance athlete before and after 12-hour and 24-hour intense cycling world-record attempts. After the 12-hour attempt the athlete showed exhaustion without clear respiratory signs, while the 24-hour attempt defined an upper limit of exercise-induced cardiac fatigue using echocardiography, rest and exercise cardiac MRI (CMR), and biomarkers including BNP and cardiac troponin-I (cTnI). The results are scientifically important because they quantify how far cardiac function can be stressed by prolonged maximal exercise and help define thresholds for exercise-related cardiac fatigue.
Foulkes SJ, Anderson M, Janssens K et al. · Journal of applied physiology (Bethesda, Md. : 1985) · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Time trends in ICD recommendations and predictors of device activation hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: a real-world cohort study.
This real-world retrospective cohort study included 52 hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) patients who received primary-prevention ICDs between 2014 and 2024 to evaluate how evolving ESC guideline recommendations affected ICD eligibility and event detection. The key finding was that time trends in ICD recommendation criteria changed the proportion of patients meeting guideline-based indications and influenced observed device activation/event detection performance in practice. This informs how guideline updates translate into real-world sudden cardiac death prevention effectiveness in HCM.
Marques Antunes M, Carvalheiro R, Cardoso I et al. · International journal of cardiology. Heart & vasculature · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Cardiac MRI in Ischemic Heart Disease & Post-MI Remodeling
Cardiac magnetic resonance in patients with acute myocardial infarction: The added clinical value.
This article reviewed how cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) is used in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) to characterize myocardial injury and remodeling. It highlights that CMR can quantify infarct size and ischemic area at risk and detect microvascular obstruction, intramyocardial hemorrhage, and interstitial remodeling using late gadolinium enhancement and parametric mapping (native T1, T2, T2*, and extracellular volume). These capabilities improve risk stratification for adverse left ventricular remodeling and long-term outcomes beyond standard measures like ejection fraction and ventricular volumes.
Alberti M, Faggioni L, Cioni D et al. · Vascular pharmacology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Prognostic value of cardiac magnetic resonance pulmonary transit time and myocardial strain across different stages of ST-elevation myocardial infarction.
This prospective CMR study assessed 521 STEMI patients across Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS) classes using 3.0-T cardiac magnetic resonance to measure pulmonary transit time (PTT) and myocardial strain (feature tracking) and then evaluated prognostic associations. The key finding was that PTT and myocardial strain provided prognostic information for outcomes after STEMI, with their predictive value varying across CCS clinical stages. This supports incorporating CMR-derived pulmonary and myocardial mechanics metrics into risk stratification after STEMI.
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 was that specific baseline biomarker patterns were significantly associated with 30-day CMR-derived infarct parameters, indicating that early blood markers reflect intermediate post-infarction remodeling. This could improve post-STEMI prognostication by combining routine biomarkers with later CMR phenotyping.
Horbach T, Wenzl FA, Manka R et al. · International journal of cardiology. Heart & vasculature · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Cardiac MRI for Pulmonary Hypertension & Right-Heart Failure
Right Ventricular Metabolic Adaptation to Afterload and Heterogeneous RV-Pulmonary Arterial Coupling in Pre-Capillary Pulmonary Hypertension: An FDG-PET/CMR Study.
This FDG-PET/CMR study examined right ventricular (RV) glucose metabolism, RV structure, pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR), and RV–pulmonary arterial (RV-PA) coupling in patients with pre-capillary pulmonary hypertension. The authors found that higher pulmonary vascular afterload was associated with increased RV glucose metabolism alongside impaired RV–PA coupling, consistent with early maladaptive metabolic adaptation before overt structural remodeling. These findings support FDG-PET/CMR as a mechanistic tool to detect early RV dysfunction risk in pre-capillary PH and to better phenotype RV failure progression.
Nakamura T, Tahara N, Koga Y et al. · Journal of nuclear cardiology : official publication of the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
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 in 96 adult patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) who underwent clinically indicated CMR (2003–2025) and compared them with 32 matched healthy controls. The key finding was that CMR-derived LV PV-loop parameters provided prognostic information for outcomes such as death or lung transplantation, complementing right-heart catheterization and clinical data. If implemented, PV-loop–based CMR could improve individualized severity assessment and risk prediction in PAH.
Castiglione A, Bergström E, Kjellström B et al. · Physiological reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Cardiac MRI for Valvular Heart Disease & Hemodynamics
Mitral Regurgitation Assessment Using a Novel Automated 3D Color Flow Quantification: Comparison With 2D PISA and CMR.
This retrospective study of 185 patients with mitral regurgitation compared a novel automated 3D color flow quantification tool (3D Auto CFQ) against 2D PISA and CMR reference measures using transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). 3D Auto CFQ, which integrates real-time 3D TEE color Doppler with a fluid-dynamics-based model, improved feasibility and performance for quantifying MR severity and regurgitant volume compared with conventional 2D PISA assumptions. The results suggest 3D Auto CFQ could reduce geometric and single-frame limitations of 2D echocardiography and improve MR quantification accuracy for clinical decision-making.
Kim K, Lee SH, Lee HJ et al. · Journal of the American Society of Echocardiography : official publication of the American Society of Echocardiography · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Left Ventricular Global Longitudinal Strain Improves Risk Stratification in Chronic Aortic Regurgitation.
This retrospective cohort study evaluated whether cardiac magnetic resonance feature-tracking–derived left ventricular global longitudinal strain (FT-LVGLS) improves risk stratification in patients with chronic moderate-to-severe aortic regurgitation (AR). In 385 primary-cohort patients (NYHA I–II; mean age ~54; 329 male) undergoing CMR from 2010–2024, FT-LVGLS provided prognostic information for adverse outcomes and added incremental value beyond the 2025 ESC/EACTS Class I/IIb surgical indication parameters. The clinical significance is more refined, CMR-based risk prediction to guide timing of intervention in chronic AR.
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 examined how aortic regurgitation (AR) alters left ventricular (LV) flow dynamics using 4D-flow MRI and related hemodynamic metrics including viscous energy dissipation (VED). It aimed to quantify how AR severity (often characterized by regurgitant fraction) changes diastolic filling flow patterns and the viscous energy burden within the LV. The scientific significance is improved, quantitative hemodynamic assessment of AR beyond conventional measures, potentially enabling better severity grading and risk evaluation.
Abdallah W, Darwish A, Garcia J et al. · Annals of biomedical engineering · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Semiautomatic method for peak velocity quantification using 4D flow imaging in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with left ventricular outflow tract obstruction.
This prospective single-center study evaluated a semiautomatic postprocessing method for measuring left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) peak velocity using 4D flow cardiac MRI in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with LV outflow tract obstruction (LVOTO). The key finding was an assessment of reliability and reproducibility of the new semiautomatic technique compared with existing labor-intensive approaches (details truncated in the abstract). Scientifically, it aims to streamline quantitative 4D flow CMR workflow to improve consistency of LVOTO severity assessment for clinical decision-making.
Desdoit X, Bouzerar R, Dantoing C et al. · European journal of radiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Cardiac MRI for Atrial Disease & Diastolic Dysfunction
CMR-Derived Left Atrial Parameters for Assessing Diastolic Dysfunction and Prognosis in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.
This dual-center study evaluated whether CMR-derived left atrial (LA) parameters can diagnose guideline-defined left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) and predict outcomes in 248 hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) patients versus 70 controls. The key finding is that LA CMR metrics (used to stratify patients by echocardiography-defined normal vs elevated left atrial pressure/LAP) provide diagnostic and prognostic value for LVDD severity. Scientifically and clinically, it supports using CMR LA measurements to refine diastolic assessment and risk prediction in HCM when echocardiography is limited.
Liao W, Zhong J, Tang W et al. · Journal of cardiovascular magnetic resonance : official journal of the Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Cardiac MRI for Arrhythmias & Electrophysiology
Wide Complex Tachycardia of Uncertain Origin: Demonstration of Atrioventricular Dissociation by Doppler Echocardiography.
This JACC Case Reports article studied a 72-year-old woman with wide complex tachycardia (WCT) of uncertain origin, using Doppler echocardiography to demonstrate atrioventricular dissociation. The key finding is that Doppler echocardiography supported AV dissociation as the mechanism underlying the WCT, guiding management decisions when cardioversion and amiodarone were limited by stroke and anticoagulation constraints. Scientifically, it illustrates the diagnostic value of Doppler echocardiography for clarifying WCT mechanisms when ECG interpretation is challenging.
Khattab A, Timmerman C, Kee A et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Treatment of Premature Ventricular Contractions: A Review of Medical Therapy, Catheter Ablation, and Emerging Treatments.
This review studied treatment strategies for premature ventricular contractions (PVCs), integrating medical therapy, catheter ablation, and emerging treatments. The key finding is that management should be individualized based on symptom burden, PVC frequency, ventricular function, and whether PVCs contribute to PVC-induced cardiomyopathy or trigger malignant ventricular arrhythmias, with cardiac MRI used for tissue characterization. Clinically, it provides a structured approach to selecting therapy intensity and diagnostic workup in patients with PVCs.
Elattar S, Hodhod A, Basha NR et al. · Cardiology in review · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Open-Irrigated Helical Radiofrequency Septal Ablation for Obstructive Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.
This JACC Case Reports article studied open-irrigated helical radiofrequency septal ablation for obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (oHCM) in a 60-year-old man with drug-refractory symptoms. The key finding was an immediate reduction in provoked LV outflow tract gradient from 130 to 30 mm Hg with sustained improvement at 12 months, supported by septal fibrosis on 6-month cardiac MRI and no procedural or follow-up complications. Clinically, it suggests feasibility and potential effectiveness of a novel open-irrigated helical radiofrequency catheter approach for septal reduction therapy in oHCM.
Sun Y, Zhou X, Zhang M et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
When Trabeculations Disrupt Conduction: Left Ventricular Noncompaction Presenting With Symptomatic Bradycardia and Isorhythmic Dissociation.
This case report studied a young patient with unexplained symptomatic bradycardia in whom left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC) was considered despite equivocal initial echocardiography. The key finding was that precise ECG interpretation was crucial to differentiate ventricular escape–driven AV dissociation from true AV block, because the distinction determines whether cardiac MRI, genetic evaluation, or device therapy is pursued. Scientifically and clinically, it emphasizes ECG-driven triage for suspected LVNC-related conduction disease.
Shamshad T, Salama R, Shtembari J et al. · Clinical case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
CA in AF With LVSD With and Without LV Fibrosis: Results From the CAMERA-MRI II Trial.
This JACC Clinical Electrophysiology trial analysis studied patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) from the CAMERA-MRI II randomized trial, stratified by left ventricular late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) burden on cardiac MRI. The key finding was the comparison of catheter ablation outcomes between LGE-positive (≥5%) and LGE-negative (<5%) groups to determine how myocardial fibrosis modifies treatment benefit. Scientifically, it clarifies whether LV fibrosis burden on CMR should influence expectations for catheter ablation efficacy in AF with LVSD.
Segan L, Kistler PM, Cho K et al. · JACC. Clinical electrophysiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Electromagnetic interference during epicardial ablation in a patient with an extravascular implantable cardioverter-defibrillator and arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy: a case report.
This case report studied electromagnetic interference during epicardial ablation in a 42-year-old man with an extravascular implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (EV-ICD) featuring a retrosternal lead and arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ACM). The key finding was that performing epicardial ablation in the presence of an EV-ICD can involve electromagnetic interference considerations that are not well described previously. Clinically, it highlights practical safety/feasibility issues when planning epicardial ablation for ventricular arrhythmia circuits in patients with extravascular ICD systems.
Proust M, Ouyang F, Breitenstein A et al. · European heart journal. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Cardiac MRI for Thrombosis/Embolic Disease
Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria Presenting With Progressive Biventricular Thrombi.
This case report studied a 34-year-old woman with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) who presented with progressive biventricular thrombi after a viral respiratory infection. The key finding is that cardiac imaging (including echocardiography and cardiac MRI) identified large left ventricular thrombus and concern for additional biventricular thrombotic involvement in the setting of hemolysis and elevated inflammatory markers. Clinically, it underscores that PNH can present with severe, progressive intracardiac thrombosis and that CMR can be crucial for detecting extent and guiding urgent management.
Nunnelee JS, Weber GA, Bergeron NP et al. · Case reports in hematology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Probable Antiphospholipid Syndrome Causing Biventricular Thrombi and Cardiogenic Shock.
This 70-year-old woman with recent Takotsubo cardiomyopathy and cardiogenic shock was evaluated for probable antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) after imaging revealed large biventricular intracardiac thrombi. The key finding was that probable APS was identified as the underlying cause of extensive biventricular thrombosis, but despite inotropes and anticoagulation the patient could not be weaned and ultimately chose hospice care. The case highlights the diagnostic uncertainty and limited evidence for managing rare, life-threatening intracardiac thrombi in suspected APS presenting as cardiogenic shock.
Contractor P, Deng J, O’Neill LP et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Left atrial dominant cardiac sarcoidosis presenting with supraventricular tachycardia and left atrial myocardial damage: A case report.
This case report studied a 61-year-old woman with left atrial dominant cardiac sarcoidosis presenting with supraventricular tachycardia and left atrial myocardial damage. The key finding was multimodality imaging showing abnormal 18F-FDG uptake in hilar lymph nodes and the left atrium, with contrast-enhanced cardiac MRI demonstrating late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) in the left atrium. Clinically, it supports that sarcoidosis can preferentially involve the left atrium and cause arrhythmia and atrial injury detectable by PET-CT and LGE CMR.
Fujita A, Sakamoto T, Kurashima S et al. · Journal of cardiology cases · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Multi-organ infarctions secondary to a cardiac papillary fibroelastoma in early childhood.
This pediatric case report studied a 4-year-old girl presenting with acute stroke and renal infarction, in whom transthoracic echocardiography and cardiac MRI identified a cardiac mass. Surgical resection confirmed cardiac papillary fibroelastoma (CPFE) on histopathology, linking the tumor to multi-organ embolic infarctions. The report is clinically significant because it highlights CPFE as a rare but important differential diagnosis for embolic stroke in early childhood when a cardiac mass is present.
Alfares F, Alghamdi M, Alkanhal A et al. · Indian journal of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Cardiac MRI in Inflammatory/Autoimmune/Systemic Diseases
Cardiac imaging in Chagas cardiomyopathy for phenotypic characterisation and risk stratification.
This narrative review examined how cardiac imaging can phenotypically characterize and risk-stratify patients with Chagas cardiomyopathy (CCM) caused by Trypanosoma cruzi. It highlights that advanced imaging detects myocardial involvement earlier than conventional clinical markers, capturing patterns such as conduction abnormalities, ventricular arrhythmias, focal aneurysms, diffuse fibrosis, and heart failure progression. Scientifically and clinically, improved imaging phenotyping may enable earlier identification of high-risk CCM and better prognostic stratification for chronic infection.
Johnson A, Katraj SVK, Pooranachandran V · Heart failure reviews · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Hydroxychloroquine Cardiotoxicity Confirmed by Electron Microscopy: The Myocarditis Mimic.
This JACC Case Reports report studied a 79-year-old woman with long-term hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) exposure who developed suspected myocarditis/cardiomyopathy. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging showed diffuse patchy midmyocardial and subepicardial late gadolinium enhancement, while cardiac positron emission tomography demonstrated diffuse FDG uptake sparing the subendocardium, and endomyocardial biopsy with electron microscopy confirmed HCQ cardiotoxicity with cardiomyocyte vacuolization. The case is significant because it demonstrates that HCQ cardiotoxicity can mimic inflammatory myocarditis, emphasizing the need for tissue diagnosis when imaging suggests myocarditis.
Behr P, Paik KS, Park C et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Extensive Cardiac Involvement in ANCA-Associated Vasculitis Presenting With Severe Aortic Regurgitation and Atrioventricular Block.
This JACC Case Reports article described a 53-year-old woman with ANCA-associated vasculitis presenting with severe aortic regurgitation and progressive high-grade atrioventricular (AV) block. Multimodality imaging showed inflammatory valvuloaortic thickening with cusp retraction, moderate pericardial effusion, nonischemic septal late gadolinium enhancement, and worsening conduction disease. The clinical significance is that it documents rare, extensive inflammatory cardiac involvement in ANCA-associated vasculitis and underscores the role of multimodality imaging in diagnosing noncoronary inflammatory causes of AV block.
David-Pardo DG, Reyes-T RE, Luna G et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Phenotypic Spectrum of Cardiac Involvement in Eosinophilic Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis.
This case series in JACC Case Reports characterized the phenotypic spectrum of cardiac involvement in eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) across three patients. The authors found distinct cardiac phenotypes ranging from inflammatory cardiomyopathy responsive to escalated immunosuppression and guideline-directed medical therapy, to advanced fibrotic cardiomyopathy requiring mechanical circulatory support, to relapsing-remitting eosinophilic pericardial involvement. The significance is that EGPA cardiac disease can be activity-independent and heterogeneous, implying that imaging and clinical phenotype should guide prognosis and treatment intensity.
Majeed Z, Manaila AS, Xu B et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
The Heart of the Thymus: A Rare Tale of Nonischemic Cardiomyopathy in the Absence of Myasthenia Gravis.
This case report studied a 54-year-old man with nonischemic cardiomyopathy presenting with septic shock, ventricular arrhythmias, and decompensated heart failure in the setting of a calcified anterior mediastinal mass later diagnosed as thymoma. The key finding is that thymoma can cause paraneoplastic cardiac involvement independent of myasthenia gravis (MG), suggesting immune- or direct-mediated myocardial injury. Clinically, it emphasizes considering thymoma in unexplained cardiomyopathy when mediastinal imaging shows an anterior mass, even without MG.
Barman M, Al Hariri B, Babiker T et al. · Clinical case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Coronary Artery Involvement in Kawasaki Disease and Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children: Imaging, Risk Stratification, and Long-Term Cardiovascular Considerations.
This narrative review studied cardiovascular involvement in children with Kawasaki disease (KD) and multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), focusing on coronary artery imaging, risk stratification, and long-term cardiovascular considerations. The key finding is that KD most commonly leads to persistent coronary artery abnormalities such as dilation and aneurysms, whereas MIS-C coronary involvement is less frequent and often transient with different long-term implications. This is significant for clinicians because it frames how imaging follow-up and risk stratification should differ between KD and MIS-C.
Fatima A, Akram MB, Asghar AH et al. · Cardiology in review · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Diagnostic challenges in isolated cardiac sarcoidosis.
This review article addressed the diagnostic challenges of isolated cardiac sarcoidosis (iCS), a granulomatous myocardium-limited form of sarcoidosis, which is diagnosed by exclusion and multimodality integration. It highlights that cardiac MRI and positron emission tomography (PET) provide complementary assessment of inflammation and fibrosis, while endomyocardial biopsy (including electroanatomic mapping-guided approaches) and molecular/genetic testing can improve diagnostic yield. The review underscores how combining imaging with targeted tissue and molecular strategies can improve diagnostic confidence and prognostic stratification in iCS.
Tersalvi G, Rossi VA, Hundertmark M et al. · ESC heart failure · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Myocarditis in idiopathic inflammatory myopathies: serologic and clinical correlates in a single-center registry.
This single-center retrospective registry study evaluated adults with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) to correlate serologic and clinical features with CMR-confirmed myocarditis and to assess hs-troponin I performance and prognosis. Myocarditis was confirmed by CMR using the 2018 Lake Louise Criteria at diagnosis and during follow-up, and the study quantified the independent prognostic impact of myocarditis relative to interstitial lung disease (ILD). The findings support CMR-based myocarditis phenotyping and clarify the clinical utility of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I in IIM-related cardiac involvement.
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 studied cardiovascular manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and how echocardiography, CMR, CT, and nuclear imaging can detect and monitor disease in SLE patients. It reports that imaging features across pericardial disease, myocarditis, coronary artery disease, and valvular involvement vary by modality, with each technique having specific strengths and limitations. The clinical significance is better selection and interpretation of imaging tests to reduce morbidity and mortality from cardiac complications in SLE.
Borchsenius JIH, Dons M, Sengeløv M et al. · The Canadian journal of cardiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
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 studied a patient with constrictive pericarditis who underwent concomitant pericardiectomy and coronary artery bypass grafting, with liver stiffness tracked as a marker of congestive hepatopathy. 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 and liver dysfunction. Clinically, it suggests that combined surgical management can reverse systemic congestion-related fibrosis markers in constrictive pericarditis.
Tabesh E, Darouei B, Kakavand N et al. · Journal of cardiothoracic surgery · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Beyond the gut: a case report of Shigella-associated myocarditis.
This case report studied a 36-year-old gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (gbMSM) patient with Shigella flexneri infection presenting with bloody diarrhea and systemic illness complicated by myocarditis. The key finding was that blood and stool cultures confirmed Shigella flexneri bacteremia and treatment was escalated to meropenem after initial empiric antibiotics. Clinically, it underscores that Shigella can cause rare but serious extra-intestinal cardiac involvement, particularly in settings where antimicrobial resistance may be emerging.
Maher L, Murphy D, Ramsbottom T et al. · European heart journal. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Clinical Features, Treatment, and Outcomes of Sintilimab-Induced Myocarditis.
This retrospective study analyzed 34 patients with sintilimab-induced myocarditis, documenting clinical features, timing after treatment, and outcomes from case reports recorded before July 31, 2025. The median onset was 21 days (range 1–120 days), with common symptoms including dyspnea and chest tightness, and the study summarized patterns relevant to diagnosis and management of immune checkpoint inhibitor–associated myocarditis. The findings are significant for clinicians because they help characterize the real-world presentation and inform diagnostic and therapeutic decision-making for myocarditis caused by the PD-1 inhibitor sintilimab.
Liu M, Sun W, Pan Y et al. · Journal of immunotherapy (Hagerstown, Md. : 1997) · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Cardiac MRI in Cardio-Oncology & Treatment-Related Toxicity
Diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in heart failure and myeloproliferative neoplasms: clinical applications and risk scores - a narrative review.
This narrative review summarized diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers relevant to heart failure (HF) in patients with Philadelphia-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs), focusing on cardio-oncology risk assessment. It emphasizes that thrombo-inflammatory biology, clonal hematopoiesis, and cancer therapies converge to accelerate cardiovascular damage, yet existing HF risk models often omit MPN-specific variables. The significance is that it consolidates biomarker evidence and risk-score concepts to improve detection and prognostication of HF in this high-risk cardio-hematologic population.
Muraretu IR, Gurghean AL, Gradinaru A et al. · Cardio-oncology (London, England) · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Cardiac Biomarkers and Multimodality Imaging in Surveillance During Oncologic Therapy: An Integrated Approach to Cardio-Oncology.
This narrative/clinical review synthesized evidence on how cardiac biomarkers and multimodality imaging can be integrated for surveillance during oncologic therapy, focusing on cardiovascular toxicity from agents such as anthracyclines, HER2-targeted therapies, VEGF inhibitors, immune checkpoint inhibitors, and chest radiotherapy. The key finding is that an integrated cardio-oncology approach—guided by guideline frameworks (including the 2022 ESC cardio-oncology guidelines)—supports earlier detection of therapy-related cardiovascular injury. Scientifically and clinically, this provides a structured strategy to monitor and mitigate cardiotoxicity across cancer treatment modalities.
Agrawal SP, Lussier A, Patel DS et al. · Cardiology in review · (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.
In a substudy of the ASSAIL-MI trial, this study tested whether IL-6 receptor inhibition with tocilizumab (monoclonal antibody targeting IL-6R) alters platelet activation and thrombus-formation biomarkers in patients with myocardial infarction. The key finding was that tocilizumab modulated soluble markers of platelet activation and coagulation/thrombus formation (e.g., P-selectin, sCD40L, tissue factor pathway markers, and D-dimer) compared with control. Scientifically, it links anti-inflammatory IL-6R blockade to downstream hemostatic and thrombotic pathways relevant to MI progression and recovery.
Ueland T, Dahl TB, Michelsen A et al. · Arteriosclerosis, thrombosis, and vascular biology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Cardiac MRI in Congenital Heart Disease (Pediatric/ACHD/Fontan)
Unique Shield: An Obstructive Huge Tricuspid Pouch Associated With Ventricular Septal Defect Developing Into Adulthood.
This JACC Case Reports report described a 43-year-old woman with a rare obstructive tricuspid valve (TV) pouch causing RV inflow obstruction without pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Cardiac magnetic resonance showed a large perimembranous ventricular septal defect (VSD) with bidirectional flow into the TV pouch but no effective communication with the RV, preventing a significant left-to-right shunt and PAH. The case highlights an uncommon anatomic mechanism of RV inflow obstruction and supports CMR-based anatomic assessment to guide surgical planning.
Rentapalla SK, Kumar B, Mukherjee A et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Muscular dystrophy cardiomyopathy in pediatric cardiac MRI.
This pediatric cardiac MRI case-focused report described the role of cardiac MRI in a child with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) who had normal ECG and echocardiography. The authors used cardiac MRI to demonstrate clinically relevant cardiomyopathy information that was not captured by initial standard tests, supporting MRI for prognosis and treatment guidance. The report reinforces cardiac MRI as a sensitive tool for early detection and risk assessment in pediatric muscular dystrophy cardiomyopathy.
Hansen RM, Takahashi MS, Sakthivel MK · The international journal of cardiovascular imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Examination of elevated myocardial extracellular volume and exercise capacity in pediatric Fontan patients at moderate altitude.
This retrospective cohort study evaluated pediatric patients with Fontan circulation and healthy controls to test whether CMR-derived diffuse myocardial fibrosis markers—native T1 mapping and extracellular volume (ECV)—are associated with exercise tolerance, including at moderate altitude. Elevated myocardial extracellular volume and T1-based fibrosis measures were associated with reduced exercise capacity in pediatric Fontan patients compared with controls. These findings support using CMR fibrosis quantification as an early, clinically meaningful biomarker of Fontan physiology and exercise limitation, potentially informing risk stratification and monitoring in children.
Arnouts EC, Drysdale ND, Gerstner Saucedo J et al. · Pediatric radiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
The Role of Multimodality Imaging in the Evaluation of Heart Failure and Surgical Transplant Planning of Patients with Adult Congenital Heart Disease.
This review article summarized how multimodality imaging informs evaluation of heart failure and surgical transplant planning in adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD). The key finding is that longitudinal, guideline-recommended imaging surveillance—performed at expert centers with condition-specific protocols—improves identification of patients who may need evaluation for advanced therapies. This supports imaging-based care pathways to optimize timing and decision-making for ACHD patients considered for transplant.
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 review studied pediatric scimitar syndrome by describing its spectrum on cardiac CT and cardiovascular MRI (CMR) and linking imaging variants to clinical presentation and management. It highlights the characteristic anatomy of partial/total anomalous right pulmonary venous drainage to the hepatic vein or inferior vena cava (IVC) along with associated right lung/pulmonary artery hypoplasia and systemic-to-pulmonary collateral(s). The review is clinically significant because it guides diagnosis and treatment planning in children by clarifying how advanced imaging defines anatomy and informs surgical or interventional strategies.
Nguyen TVN, Emral HG, Voges I et al. · International journal of cardiology. Congenital heart disease · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Cardiac MRI Acquisition, Gating, and Reconstruction Engineering
Exploration of 3D fetal cardiac MRI in the late second trimester.
This study assessed feasibility and diagnostic potential of automated motion-correction tools for 3D fetal cardiac MRI in late second trimester fetuses (20–27+6 weeks’ gestation). Using black-blood fetal CMR datasets reconstructed into 3D volumes and evaluating image quality across 19 cardiovascular structures with sequential segmental analysis, the work tested correlations with gestational age and fetal body volume. The significance is that it extends fetal CMR toward earlier gestational assessment by improving motion handling and enabling more comprehensive structural evaluation in the late second trimester.
Pm van Poppel M, Uus A, Steinweg JK et al. · Journal of cardiovascular magnetic resonance : official journal of the Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Fully Automated Free-Breathing Cardiac MRI at 3T: A Prospective Randomized Study of Image Quality, Efficiency, and Workflow Burden.
This prospective randomized study compared fully automated free-breathing cardiac MRI at 3T versus manual free-breathing workflows in patients referred for non-stress CMR. The automated workflow integrated automated plane prescription steps to reduce total examination time while maintaining acceptable image quality and improving workflow efficiency. Clinically, it supports automation as a practical approach to standardize cardiac MRI acquisition and reduce time burden in routine imaging.
Li K, Zhou W, Yang X et al. · Journal of cardiovascular magnetic resonance : official journal of the Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Laser HeartBeat: Feasibility of a Contactless Optical Gating Method for Cardiac MRI.
This engineering feasibility study evaluated Laser HeartBeat (Laser HB), a contactless optical gating method for cardiac MRI using defocused laser speckle imaging to track chest-wall microvibrations. The key finding is that Laser HB can provide real-time trigger signals for MRI gating without ECG or other contact sensors, addressing limitations from electromagnetic interference and setup constraints. This is clinically relevant because robust non-contact gating could improve CMR workflow and image quality in patients where ECG-based gating is difficult.
Gao Q, Zhu Y, Zhang X et al. · IEEE transactions on bio-medical engineering · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Monitoring Myocardial Oxygenation Response to Respiratory Maneuvers Using Real-Time MRI.
This 3T real-time MRI study evaluated two oxygenation-sensitive (OS) MR sequences and a semi-automated analysis workflow for monitoring myocardial oxygenation dynamics during respiratory maneuvers in 10 young healthy female volunteers. Real-time bSSFP and RT FLASH approaches enabled continuous, motion-robust assessment of oxygenation changes, addressing limitations of ECG-triggered acquisitions and reducing manual interpretation. The work advances non-invasive, real-time myocardial oxygenation monitoring that could improve physiologic assessment in clinical cardiac MRI.
Vogt N, Lebza S, Felblinger J et al. · Journal of cardiovascular magnetic resonance : official journal of the Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
CardioMorphNet: Cardiac motion prediction using a shape-guided Bayesian recurrent deep network.
This study developed and evaluated CardioMorphNet, a shape-guided Bayesian recurrent deep network for 3D cardiac motion prediction using short-axis cine cardiac MRI in a cohort of 346 cases spanning dilated cardiomyopathy, left ventricular hypertrophy, healthy volunteers, and other cardiac diseases. The key finding is that incorporating cardiac anatomical shape guidance and recurrent variational modeling of spatio-temporal dependencies improves deformable registration and motion estimation compared with intensity-only registration approaches. Scientifically, it advances more accurate cine CMR motion estimation for downstream assessment of cardiac function and abnormalities.
Movahed RA, Rezaee A, Zakeri A et al. · Medical image analysis · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
In vivo evidence of blood flow slippage: failure of the no-slip boundary condition assumption.
This study tested the in vivo validity of the no-slip boundary condition in blood flow by imaging seven healthy adult volunteers with 4D-flow cardiovascular magnetic resonance of the descending thoracic aorta. Using Navier–Stokes modeling with data assimilation, it found near-wall tangential blood velocities on the order of ~30 (units truncated in abstract), indicating failure of strict no-slip behavior. The scientific significance is that cardiovascular fluid dynamics models that assume perfect wall adhesion may need revision for more accurate wall shear stress and hemodynamic predictions.
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 complex congenital heart disease undergoing 3T cardiac MRI with free-breathing navigator gating and interleaved diastolic/systolic acquisition. The key finding was that dual-phase 3D mDixon MRA improved phase-dependent image quality and enabled reliable vessel diameter measurements despite motion/flow/susceptibility challenges (as assessed by two readers). Clinically, this technique could enhance noninvasive vascular assessment for surgical planning in pediatric CHD by improving measurement robustness across the cardiac cycle.
Beissel LD, Hart C, Isaak A et al. · Radiology. Cardiothoracic imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Multimodality Imaging & Diagnostic Pathways (CT/PET/Echo integration)
Endotype-informed therapy and effects on illness perception and psychological health in patients with chest pain and no obstructive coronary artery disease.
This randomized controlled superiority trial (CorCMR) studied whether non-invasive stress perfusion CMR used to define ischaemic endotypes and guide targeted therapy improves illness perception and psychological health in patients with chest pain and no obstructive coronary artery disease (ANOCA). The key finding is that endotype-informed treatment based on CMR-derived ischemia improves patient-reported illness perceptions and psychological outcomes compared with standard angiography-guided care. Clinically, it supports using stress perfusion CMR endotyping to reduce diagnostic uncertainty and associated distress in ANOCA.
Bradley CP, McKinley G, Orchard V et al. · European heart journal. Quality of care & clinical outcomes · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Pericardial Hemangioma: A Case Report and Updated Literature Review.
This case report and literature review presented a 57-year-old man with positional chest pain in whom coronary CT angiography and cardiac MRI identified a hypervascular epicardial pericardial mass suspicious for intrapericardial paraganglioma. Despite imaging suspicion, DOTATATE PET/CT and plasma catecholamines were normal, and surgical excision with histopathology established the diagnosis of pericardial hemangioma. The report emphasizes the diagnostic pitfall of pericardial hemangioma mimicking other hypervascular cardiac masses and the value of an organized multimodality workup.
Azees R, Udongwo N, Esomonye T et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Integrating cardiac CT into the diagnostic pathway of Takotsubo syndrome: current evidence and future directions.
This review studied how cardiac CT could be integrated into the diagnostic pathway for Takotsubo syndrome in patients with suspected acute coronary syndrome–mimicking presentations. It highlights that cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) remains the reference standard for TS diagnosis and tissue characterization, while cardiac CT may be useful when CMR is contraindicated or limited (e.g., device incompatibility, claustrophobia, arrhythmia). The clinical significance is improved, practical imaging triage to reach timely TS diagnosis and avoid unnecessary invasive coronary work-up when CMR cannot be performed.
Cau R, Gatti M, Suri JS et al. · European journal of radiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Navigating Mechanical Support in Cardiogenic Shock With Arterial Hypoplasia: Lessons From Arterial Tortuosity Syndrome.
This report described a 19-year-old man with arterial tortuosity syndrome (ATS) presenting with cardioembolic stroke and rapidly evolving cardiogenic shock, where management was constrained by severe arterial hypoplasia and tortuosity. The key finding was that profound narrowing/hypoplasia of the iliofemoral arteries (3 mm) and ascending/thoracic aorta (19 mm) made mechanical thrombectomy and peripheral VA-ECMO technically unfeasible. The case highlights the importance of multimodality imaging (including CTA, aortic angiography, and cardiac MRI) to anticipate access and device feasibility in ATS-related 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 ↗
A Case of the Uncommon Cause of Chronic Coronary Syndrome: Coronary Fistula and Coronary Stenosis, Which One to Intervene?
This case report studied a patient with chronic coronary syndrome (CCS) who had two distinct coronary pathologies—coronary fistula and coronary stenosis—identified using comprehensive noninvasive and invasive diagnostic testing before, during, and after intervention. The authors evaluated which lesion to treat and assessed outcomes with physiologic and imaging measurements, reflecting the complexity of deciding intervention targets when both mechanisms coexist. Clinically, it underscores the need for detailed multimodality assessment to guide intervention strategy in CCS patients with concurrent coronary fistula and stenosis.
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 ↗
Non-imaging Methods/Population Modeling/Omics/Biomarkers & Non-CMR Interventions
CTLA4-Ig + Anti-IL-6/IL-6R Treatment Results in Long-term Allograft Survival and Function in Highly HLA-sensitized Patients.
This study evaluated combining CTLA4-Ig (abatacept) with anti–IL-6/IL-6R therapy in highly HLA-sensitized transplant recipients at high risk for cell-mediated rejection (CMR) and antibody-mediated rejection (AMR). The combined regimen produced long-term allograft survival and preserved graft function while addressing the concern for donor-specific antibody (DSA) rebound that can occur with CNI-free conversion. Clinically, this supports a potentially safer immunologic strategy for highly HLA-sensitized patients who are limited by calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) neuro/nephrotoxicity.
Jordan SC, Chandran S, Ammerman N et al. · Transplantation direct · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Invariant state modelling for robust adaptive intrusion detection in software-defined internet of things environments.
This study developed and evaluated RADIUS (Robust Adaptive Intrusion Detection Using Invariant State) for robust adaptive intrusion detection in software-defined internet of things (SD-IoT) environments. Using a Temporal Convolution Encoder (TCE) with dilated/causal convolutions to learn traffic embeddings and an Adaptive State Transition Module (ASTM) to model latent state transitions, the framework targets non-stationary, non-recurrent attacks. Scientifically, it advances deployable IDS modeling that is more resilient to heterogeneous traffic and evolving attack patterns in SD-IoT networks.
Gowroju S, Reddy SSS, Choudhary S et al. · Scientific reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
EuroNet-PHL-LP1: Complete resection or low-dose chemo for pediatric low-risk nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma.
This prospective phase III trial (EuroNet-PHL-LP1) studied children and adolescents with early-stage nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma (nLPHL) to test whether complete resection alone or low-intensity, anthracycline-free CVP chemotherapy could replace standard approaches. Patients with completely resected lymph nodes received active surveillance, while those with unresectable nodal disease received three cycles of CVP, aiming to maintain high event-free survival while reducing treatment intensity. The study addresses how to safely de-escalate therapy in pediatric low-risk nLPHL to minimize long-term toxicity.
Shankar AG, Landman-Parker J, Mascarin M et al. · Blood advances · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Microaxial Left Ventricular Assist Device as Bridge to Transplantation in Postinfarction Left Ventricular Pseudoaneurysm.
This case report evaluated a 61-year-old man with postinfarction left ventricular (LV) pseudoaneurysm presenting with recurrent cardiogenic shock one month after myocardial infarction. Because surgical risk was prohibitive, the patient was bridged to transplant using prolonged Impella 5.5 mechanical circulatory support while awaiting heart transplantation, leading to hemodynamic stability and successful transplant. The scientific/clinical significance is that microaxial LV assist device support can be a feasible bridge-to-transplant strategy for high-risk LV pseudoaneurysm when surgery is not viable.
Callahan S, Horvat N, Yu M · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
A Slc5a6-Deficient Mouse Model Reveals Metabolically Driven Cardiomyopathy with Therapeutic Potential for Vitamin-Based Intervention.
This mouse study investigated how loss of the vitamin transporter gene SLC5A6 causes cardiomyopathy and whether vitamin-based supplementation can be therapeutic. It identified human families with SLC5A6 mutations causing early-onset dilated cardiomyopathy and showed that cardiac-specific Slc5a6 knockout (Slc5a6cKO) mice developed progressive cardiac dysfunction with hypertrophy, fibrosis, impaired coenzyme A synthesis, and premature death by 26 weeks, with evidence supporting a metabolically driven mechanism amenable to vitamin intervention. The clinical significance is a potential gene-linked, metabolism-targeted treatment strategy for SLC5A6-associated dilated cardiomyopathy.
Fullerton MO, Phillips LC, Redgrave RE et al. · JCI insight · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Trends in atrial fibrillation/atrial flutter and cirrhosis-related mortality in the United States from 1999 to 2020: a CDC WONDER analysis.
This retrospective CDC WONDER analysis studied adults in the United States from 1999 to 2020 to evaluate trends in atrial fibrillation/atrial flutter (AF/AFL) and cirrhosis-related mortality. The key finding was the characterization of mortality trend patterns over time using crude and age-adjusted mortality rates with Joinpoint regression, stratifying the AF/AFL–cirrhosis coexistence context. Scientifically, it provides population-level evidence to inform risk stratification and public health planning for AF/AFL patients with cirrhosis.
Cheema AAA, Touseef M, Asad M et al. · Annals of medicine and surgery (2012) · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Advancing Brain and Body Vascular Imaging in Bipolar Disorder: A Report From the International Society for Bipolar Disorders Vascular Task Force.
This expert review studied how multisystem vascular imaging can be integrated into bipolar disorder (BD) research and care, synthesizing evidence across brain, eye, heart, and body vascular domains. The key finding was that vascular imaging approaches may help elucidate mechanisms linking heart–brain health in BD and identify actionable research gaps and future directions. Clinically and scientifically, it provides a framework to guide adoption of vascular imaging methods to better characterize BD-related comorbidity and pathophysiology.
Mio M, Chen PH, Kennedy KG et al. · Bipolar disorders · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Synergistic enhancement mechanism of biochar from Chinese medicine residue for tetracycline hydrochloride removal.
This environmental engineering study converted Chinese medicine residue into biochar using hydrothermal and KOH pretreatment followed by high-temperature pyrolysis, producing a KOH-enhanced biochar (KHRB), and tested its adsorption of tetracycline hydrochloride (T-HCl). The key finding was that the combined hydrothermal + KOH treatment produced a biochar with a highly developed pore structure (specific surface area ~1589 m2/g) and substantially enhanced adsorption performance for T-HCl compared with single treatments. This suggests a resource-recovery route to create effective adsorbents for antibiotic removal from contaminated water.
Xu E, Song X, Liu Y et al. · Journal of environmental management · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Arteriovenous fistula creation results in cardiac dysfunction and remodeling in a uremic pig model.
This study used a uremic pig model of chronic kidney disease induced by renal embolization to examine cardiovascular changes after arteriovenous fistula (AVF) creation, with and without percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA). AVF creation produced cardiac dysfunction and remodeling, and the investigators characterized associated hemodynamic/cardiovascular alterations in this large-animal setting. These findings support AVF-induced cardiac injury mechanisms in a clinically relevant uremic model, enabling mechanistic testing of interventions to reduce dialysis-associated cardiovascular morbidity.
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 study developed a phage-free bacterial two-hybrid (BATCH) platform for rapid antigen-specific screening of shark-derived variable new antigen receptors (VNARs) from an immunized Chiloscyllium plagiosum spleen cDNA library (~10^8 diversity). Using a Cre recombinase-based reporter system in BTH101 cells with dual lacZ and chloramphenicol resistance (CmR) readouts, the authors identified two unique VNAR binders (VNAR1a and VNAR1b) against the target antigen. The work is significant because it provides a faster, phage-free alternative to phage display for VNAR discovery and expands tools for single-domain antibody engineering.
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 used cardiopulmonary exercise testing in 135 adult females (51±8 years) across a range of fitness levels to relate systolic blood pressure (SBP) responses—both absolute SBPmax and workload-indexed SBP (SBP/W-slope)—to hemodynamics (cardiac output and vascular resistance) and peak oxygen uptake (V̇o2peak). The key finding was that SBP responses, when indexed to workload, were associated with the pressure–flow relationship components (cardiac output and vascular resistance) that underpin V̇o2peak. These results support using workload-indexed exercise SBP metrics to better characterize cardiovascular limitation during exercise and potentially refine risk/fitness assessment 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 integrative omics study combined protein quantitative trait loci (pQTL) data from the ARIC cohort with genome-wide association studies (GWAS) for 19 cardiovascular diseases and 82 cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) traits to identify potentially druggable plasma proteins. The key finding was that proteome-wide association study (PWAS) and Mendelian randomization prioritization highlighted plasma proteins linked to CMR phenotypes and CVD outcomes that may be therapeutically targetable. This provides a gene-to-protein-to-disease framework for discovering novel drug targets for cardiovascular disease using CMR-informed genetic evidence.
Gong W, Guo P, Liu L et al. · Life metabolism · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Forecasting mortality and decomposition analysis for cancer deaths in Egypt (2014-2030).
This population-level modeling study analyzed national vital registration data in Egypt for 19 cancer types from 2014–2023 and used a hybrid ARIMA–ETS forecasting approach plus decomposition analysis to project cancer mortality through 2030. The key finding was that projected cancer mortality increases were driven by specific contributions from population growth, population aging, and age-specific mortality rates (with an overall projected change reported in the results). These forecasts and decomposition quantify the demographic and epidemiologic drivers of future cancer deaths, supporting planning for prevention, screening, and resource allocation in Egypt.
Elshishiney G, Li M, Zou Y et al. · Cancer epidemiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Generated automatically on June 08, 2026. Covers PubMed articles published June 01, 2026 – June 08, 2026. Summaries are AI-generated; always consult the original publication for clinical or research decisions.