What's New in Cardiac MRI? — June 10, 2026
AI-summarised digest of 58 PubMed articles on Cardiac MRI published in the last 7 days.
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What’s New in Cardiac MRI?
June 10, 2026 · 58 articles · 15 research themes · covering June 03, 2026 – June 10, 2026
Overview
Across this week’s set of papers, cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) continues to expand from “diagnosis and phenotyping” into automated, quantitative, and prognostic risk stratification. Multiple studies focus on tissue characterization (T1/T2/ECV and T1rho), including establishing new reference ranges (notably at 5.0T) and linking interstitial remodeling to outcomes in coronary disease, takotsubo syndrome, and other cardiomyopathies. Complementing this, several works use CMR-derived hemodynamic or structural biomarkers—such as MRI-wedge/PBVi congestion staging, left atrial–left ventricular coupling indices, and CMR predictors of new heart failure symptoms in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy—to move toward earlier identification of patients at risk before overt clinical deterioration.
A second dominant theme is “context-specific physiology,” where imaging is used to interpret disease mechanisms rather than just report anatomy. In pulmonary hypertension, PET/CMR metabolic adaptation and RV–PA coupling highlight early maladaptive remodeling. In endurance athletes, CMR fibrosis and deformation metrics are tied to arrhythmia incidence and exercise capacity, while reviews emphasize how to distinguish physiologic “athlete’s heart” from early cardiomyopathy. For ischemic syndromes without obstructive disease (ANOCA/CMVD), stress perfusion CMR endotyping is not only diagnostic but also informs targeted therapy that improves illness perception and psychological outcomes.
Finally, the digest includes a strong clinical signal from rare and inflammatory conditions and from cardio-oncology/thrombotic presentations. Case reports and reviews describe cardiac involvement from genetic neurodegenerative disease (SPG4-HSP), autoimmune/inflammatory disorders (ANCA vasculitis, EGPA, inflammatory myopathies, HIV immune suppression, and drug-induced myocarditis mimics), and infectious etiologies (cardiac echinococcosis). Several reports also underscore the diagnostic pitfalls and management challenges of intracardiac masses and thrombosis in cancer, antiphospholipid syndrome, and PNH—reinforcing the value of multimodality imaging pathways (CMR, PET, CT, and echocardiography) to distinguish mimics and guide follow-up intensity.
Cardiac MRI/CT Automation & Imaging Workflow Innovation
Exploration of 3D fetal cardiac MRI in the late second trimester.
This study evaluated feasibility and diagnostic potential of automated motion-correction tools for 3D fetal cardiac MRI in late second-trimester fetuses with and without congenital heart disease (CHD). Using black-blood fetal CMR datasets reconstructed into 3D volumes for fetuses at 20–27+6 weeks’ gestation, the investigators assessed image quality and 19 cardiovascular structures with sequential segmental analysis (correlations truncated). The work is significant because it extends fetal CMR toward earlier gestational windows using automation to mitigate motion, potentially improving CHD detection.
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 examined whether a fully automated free-breathing cardiac MRI workflow at 3T improves image quality and reduces workflow burden compared with manual scanning in consecutive non-stress CMR patients. The automated protocol integrated automated plane prescription steps, with total examination time as the primary endpoint and plane prescription accuracy and image quality as secondary endpoints (scanner ID and results truncated). The study is important for translating AI/automation into routine cardiac MRI by improving efficiency and consistency without sacrificing diagnostic image quality.
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 ↗
Artificial intelligence for right ventricular assessment: current evidence and future directions.
This review studied current evidence and future directions for artificial intelligence (AI) in right ventricular (RV) assessment across echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), and computed tomography. It reports that AI-based automated RV segmentation and chamber quantification can achieve accuracy approaching interobserver variability, addressing known challenges and interpreter variability in RV evaluation (modalities truncated). The clinical significance is improved, more reproducible RV risk stratification in pulmonary hypertension, valvular disease, and congenital heart disease.
Tan X, Fowler J, Li M et al. · Current opinion in cardiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Laser HeartBeat: Feasibility of a Contactless Optical Gating Method for Cardiac MRI.
This study developed and tested Laser HeartBeat (Laser HB), a contactless cardiac gating method in which defocused laser speckle imaging tracks chest-wall microvibrations to trigger cardiac MRI. The key finding was feasibility of robust, MRI-compatible optical acquisition and real-time triggering using a proposed Laser HB trigger algorithm to extract cardiac timing without ECG or other contact sensors. This approach could reduce ECG-related interference and setup constraints, enabling more reliable cardiac MRI gating in clinical and research settings.
Gao Q, Zhu Y, Zhang X et al. · IEEE transactions on bio-medical engineering · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
CMR Tissue Characterization & Myocardial Mapping (T1/T2/ECV/T1rho)
Myocardial salvage and functional recovery prediction: T1 rho vs conventional CMR in acute myocardial infarction.
This prospective study evaluated whether cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) T1 rho can quantify edema-defined area at risk (AAR) and infarcted myocardium to predict adverse left ventricular remodeling in 60 reperfused acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). It found that both edema-defined AAR and infarcted myocardium were detectable by T1 rho, and that 61.7% of patients had microvascular obstruction (MVO), with T1 rho-derived cutoffs used to stratify remodeling risk (details truncated). Scientifically and clinically, T1 rho–based CMR may improve prediction of convalescent remodeling after reperfused AMI compared with conventional CMR approaches.
Guo M, Qian Y, Wu C et al. · Magnetic resonance imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Field Strength Dependence, Physiologic Correlates, and Prognostic Significance of Ventricular Blood Pool T2 Mapping on Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Imaging.
This retrospective CMR study evaluated determinants and prognostic significance of ventricular blood pool (BP) T2 mapping, focusing on the right-to-left ventricular BP T2 ratio, in adults undergoing CMR at 1.5T or 3T and in healthy controls. It found that RV/LV BP T2 ratio depends on field strength and physiologic correlates and that field strength–specific cut-points were derived to predict major adverse cardiac events (MACE) (full results truncated). The work is significant because it supports standardized interpretation of blood-pool T2 mapping across scanners and may improve prognostic use of CMR T2 metrics.
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 ↗ · Free PDF ↗
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) using 5.0T cardiac MRI in healthy adults. In 181 healthy Chinese participants aged 20–80 years, left ventricular T1 and T2 mapping were performed on a 5.0T system to derive normal values (motion-correction details truncated). The clinical significance is that these 5.0T reference standards enable more accurate interpretation of myocardial mapping biomarkers in future diagnostic and research applications.
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 ↗
Predictive value of myocardial extracellular volume fraction for mortality and heart failure in known or suspected coronary artery disease patients.
This retrospective cohort study evaluated whether myocardial extracellular volume (ECV) fraction measured by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) predicts mortality and heart failure in patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease. Using native and post-contrast T1 mapping with a modified look-locker inversion protocol, the key finding was that higher myocardial ECV was associated with worse clinical outcomes (mortality and incident heart failure) analyzed via Cox proportional hazards models. Scientifically, it reinforces myocardial interstitial fibrosis quantification by CMR as a prognostic biomarker for adverse outcomes in coronary disease.
Krittayaphong R, Jirataiporn K, Yindeengam A et al. · European journal of radiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Monitoring Myocardial Oxygenation Response to Respiratory Maneuvers Using Real-Time MRI.
This study evaluated real-time MRI methods to monitor myocardial oxygenation response to respiratory maneuvers in young healthy female volunteers. The key finding was that two real-time bSSFP/FLASH oxygenation-sensitive approaches plus a semi-automated workflow enabled continuous, motion-robust assessment of myocardial oxygenation dynamics, aiming to overcome limitations of ECG-triggered acquisitions and reduce manual analysis. Scientifically and clinically, it supports a non-invasive, ECG-independent framework for studying myocardial oxygenation physiology during controlled respiratory stress.
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 ↗
CMR Hemodynamics, Congestion & Filling Pressure Phenotyping
MRI staging of haemodynamic congestion and clinical outcomes.
This study evaluated cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR)–derived left ventricular filling pressure (MRI-wedge) and pulmonary blood volume index (PBVi) in patients undergoing CMR, and assessed their links with non-invasive markers of myocardial fibrosis across four MRI haemodynamic congestion stages. Patients classified with combined overload (stage 4) and/or isolated pressure overload (stage 3) showed worse clinical outcomes than those with a normal profile (stage 1), and MRI haemodynamic staging aligned with fibrosis-related non-invasive measures. These findings support CMR-based haemodynamic phenotyping (MRI-wedge and PBVi) as a prognostic tool for cardiovascular congestion and fibrosis risk stratification.
Mantini C, Sorella A, Falco D et al. · European radiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
CMR Structural Remodeling & Atrial/LV Coupling Biomarkers
Left Atrioventricular Coupling Index in Health and Disease: A Longitudinal Multicohort Analysis.
This longitudinal multicohort analysis studied the Left Atrioventricular Coupling Index (LACI)—the ratio of left atrial (LA) to left ventricular (LV) end-diastolic volume (EDV)—to define population-specific reference thresholds and evaluate its relationships with cardiac structure/function and predictive value beyond established markers. LACI varied by demographic factors and showed measurable associations with LA-LV coupling physiology, with reference thresholds enabling interpretation in health and disease. Establishing LACI norms and demonstrating incremental prognostic utility could improve clinical implementation of this imaging biomarker for LA-LV coupling abnormalities.
Roy R, Salatzki J, Szabo L et al. · Journal of cardiovascular magnetic resonance : official journal of the Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
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 assess guideline-defined left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) and prognosis in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Among 248 HCM patients and 70 controls who underwent both echocardiography and CMR, patients were stratified into normal left atrial pressure (LAP) versus elevated LAP groups per echocardiographic guidelines, and LA volumetric/other CMR parameters were analyzed for diagnostic and prognostic value (truncated). The significance is that CMR LA metrics may provide a guideline-relevant, noninvasive alternative for diastolic dysfunction assessment and risk prediction in HCM.
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 ↗
CMR Prognosis & Risk Stratification Across Diseases
Clinical significance of incidental pericardial late gadolinium enhancement on cardiac magnetic resonance.
This retrospective single-center study examined the clinical significance of incidentally detected pericardial late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) on cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) in consecutive patients undergoing clinically indicated CMR for unrelated reasons. Compared with patients without pericardial LGE, those with incidental pericardial LGE had worse long-term outcomes, consistent with persistent subclinical pericardial inflammation rather than a purely transient finding. The study supports incorporating incidental pericardial LGE into risk assessment and follow-up planning after CMR.
Lepre V, Moretto N, De Martino M et al. · International journal of cardiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging Parameters Predict New-Onset Symptoms of Heart Failure in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.
This single-center retrospective cohort study assessed whether cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging parameters in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) could predict new-onset heart failure (HF) symptoms. CMR measures of cardiac structure and tissue characteristics were associated with subsequent development of HF symptoms, identifying imaging features that preceded clinical deterioration. These findings support using CMR beyond baseline phenotyping to forecast HF symptom onset in HCM and potentially refine surveillance and risk stratification.
da Silva DS, Karlinski Vizentin V, Ferreira Felix I et al. · ESC heart failure · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Predictors of Long-Term Outcomes in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: The NHLBI HCM Registry.
This registry-based study from the NHLBI HCM Registry evaluated 2750 patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy across 44 North American and European sites to improve risk prediction of adverse events by integrating clinical history, imaging, genetic data, and biomarkers, including cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR). The combined model improved prediction of outcomes beyond existing guidelines that primarily target sudden cardiac death risk. Clinically, this supports more accurate, personalized risk stratification in HCM to reduce both avoidable deaths and unnecessary implantable cardioverter-defibrillator use.
Kramer CM, Kolm P, DiMarco JP et al. · JAMA · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Independent prognostic value of left ventricular stroke volume index in patients with takotsubo syndrome: insights from the EVOLUTION registry.
This observational EVOLUTION registry analysis studied the independent prognostic value of CMR-derived left ventricular stroke volume indexed (LVSVi) in 376 takotsubo syndrome (TTS) patients undergoing CMR at a median of 5 days after admission. It found that patients were categorized by LVSVi (<35 vs ≥35 mL/m²) and followed for a median of 360 days for major adverse cardiovascular events and all-cause death, with LVSVi showing independent prognostic relevance (results truncated). Clinically, LVSVi from early CMR could help risk-stratify TTS patients and guide follow-up intensity and management decisions.
Arcari L, Cau R, Pontone G et al. · Heart (British Cardiac Society) · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
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 investigated right ventricular (RV) metabolic adaptation to afterload and heterogeneous RV–pulmonary arterial (RV-PA) coupling in patients with pre-capillary pulmonary hypertension. The key finding was that increased pulmonary vascular resistance/afterload was associated with enhanced RV glucose metabolism and impaired RV-PA coupling, suggesting early maladaptive metabolic remodeling before overt structural changes. This is significant because it links PET-measured metabolism with coupling physiology, potentially enabling earlier identification of RV deterioration in pulmonary hypertension.
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 ↗
Quantitative 99mTc-PYP SPECT/CT at 90 minutes improves diagnostic stratification in transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis.
This retrospective single-center study evaluated whether quantitative 99mTc-PYP SPECT/CT at 90 minutes post-injection improves diagnostic stratification for transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis (ATTR-CM) when added to standard planar imaging at 60 and 180 minutes. In 170 patients with suspected cardiac amyloidosis, quantitative SPECT/CT at 90 minutes increased specificity and improved classification particularly in patients with low planar uptake (e.g., Perugini score 1). The result supports a time-optimized, quantitative imaging protocol to better distinguish ATTR-CM from mimics and refine noninvasive diagnosis.
Nazerani-Zemann T, Stanzel S, Weitzer F et al. · European journal of nuclear medicine and molecular imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Exercise, Fitness, and Athlete’s Heart (CMR/Arrhythmia)
Examination of elevated myocardial extracellular volume and exercise capacity in pediatric Fontan patients at moderate altitude.
This retrospective cohort study examined pediatric Fontan patients at moderate altitude to determine whether CMR-derived markers of diffuse myocardial fibrosis—native T1 and extracellular volume (ECV)—are associated with exercise capacity compared with healthy controls. It evaluated the relationship between fibrosis measures and an early clinical marker of Fontan physiology, linking myocardial tissue remodeling to functional performance. The clinical significance is that CMR fibrosis quantification could help risk-stratify pediatric Fontan patients and identify those with reduced exercise tolerance.
Arnouts EC, Drysdale ND, Gerstner Saucedo J et al. · Pediatric radiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
The timing and relationship of ventricular arrhythmia with exercise patterns in veteran male endurance athletes.
This study examined whether exercise training patterns were associated with the incidence and timing of ventricular arrhythmias in 106 healthy veteran male endurance athletes (cyclists/triathletes aged ≥50 years) using cardiac magnetic resonance and implantable loop recorder monitoring. Over follow-up, 55 ventricular arrhythmia events were recorded, and the study assessed how arrhythmia timing related to daily exercise patterns tracked by computerized devices. The scientific significance is that it links real-world endurance training behavior to ventricular arrhythmia occurrence, informing risk stratification and monitoring strategies in long-term 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 myocardial fibrosis and its relationship to ventricular arrhythmias and reduced systolic function in 296 young (median 19 years), 138 middle-aged (56 years) male endurance athletes, and 66 middle-aged non-athletic controls without known cardiac disease. Using cardiac magnetic resonance to quantify myocardial fibrosis and biventricular function and 24-hour Holter monitoring to quantify ventricular arrhythmias, it found that non-hinge-point fibrosis was more prevalent in middle-aged athletes than in young athletes and controls. The significance is that it supports age- and training-associated myocardial fibrosis as a potential substrate for ventricular arrhythmias and systolic dysfunction in endurance athletes.
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 investigated associations between cardiopulmonary physical fitness and cardiac magnetic resonance tissue characterization using T1 and T2 mapping in elite healthy athletes undergoing pre-participation screening. In athletes who completed maximal cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) and non-contrast CMR with T1/T2 mapping, the authors assessed how CMR-derived remodeling metrics relate to measured fitness. The scientific significance is that it provides mechanistic insight into “athlete’s heart” adaptations and may improve interpretation of T1/T2 mapping in distinguishing physiologic remodeling from early cardiomyopathy.
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 examined myocardial deformation in Olympic athletes using cardiac magnetic resonance feature tracking to characterize athlete’s heart and differentiate it from early cardiomyopathies. In Olympic athletes with normal cardiovascular evaluation and sedentary age- and sex-matched controls, CMR cine images without contrast were used to quantify deformation, with analyses considering differences by sports discipline and sex. The significance is that it establishes reference deformation patterns across disciplines and sex, potentially improving noninvasive CMR interpretation in athletes with physiologic remodeling.
Monosilio S, Prosperi S, Filomena D et al. · European journal of preventive cardiology · (2026) · 7 citations · View on PubMed ↗
Ventricular Arrhythmias, PVCs & Sudden Risk (Clinical/Review)
Wide Complex Tachycardia of Uncertain Origin: Demonstration of Atrioventricular Dissociation by Doppler Echocardiography.
This JACC Case Reports report studied a 72-year-old woman with unstable wide complex tachycardia (WCT) of uncertain origin to demonstrate atrioventricular dissociation using Doppler echocardiography. The key finding was that Doppler echocardiography provided evidence of atrioventricular dissociation, clarifying the mechanism of the WCT when initial cardioversion and subsequent management were complicated by comorbidities and stroke. Scientifically and clinically, it highlights Doppler echocardiography as a practical bedside technique to distinguish arrhythmia mechanisms in WCT 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 narrative review studied the evidence base for treating premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) across medical therapy, catheter ablation, and emerging treatments in patients with and without structural heart disease. The key finding was that treatment choice should be driven by symptom burden, PVC frequency, ventricular function, and presence of underlying myocardial disease, particularly to prevent PVC-induced cardiomyopathy and reduce risk of malignant ventricular arrhythmias. Clinically, it provides a framework for selecting diagnostic workup (ECG, ambulatory monitoring, echo, exercise testing, and CMR tissue assessment) and tailoring therapy to patient risk.
Elattar S, Hodhod A, Basha NR et al. · Cardiology in review · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Ischemia, Microvascular Dysfunction & Stress Perfusion CMR
Prognostic value of stress perfusion cardiac magnetic resonance in patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease and supranormal left ventricular ejection fraction.
This cohort study evaluated whether stress perfusion cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) predicts outcomes in adults (≥18 years) with known or suspected coronary artery disease who had supranormal left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF ≥65%) on CMR. It found that participants were divided into groups based on stress perfusion CMR findings (cutoffs/details truncated) and assessed prognostic significance for adverse outcomes during follow-up. The study suggests that stress perfusion CMR can add prognostic information even when LVEF is supranormal, potentially refining risk assessment in this population.
Pakdeesrisakda K, Kaolawanich Y · Open heart · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Noninvasive Detection of Coronary Microvascular Dysfunction.
This narrative review studied noninvasive diagnostic approaches for coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMVD) in patients whose symptoms overlap with obstructive coronary artery disease. It summarized evidence for noninvasive tools to evaluate CMVD, focusing on techniques that can distinguish microvascular ischemia from epicardial stenosis (details truncated in abstract). The review is clinically significant because earlier, accurate CMVD detection can guide more targeted intervention and risk management.
Li L, Tse G, Bazoukis G et al. · Current cardiology reviews · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Endotype-informed therapy and effects on illness perception and psychological health in patients with chest pain and no obstructive coronary artery disease.
This randomized, multicentre superiority trial (CorCMR) evaluated 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 was that endotype-informed targeted therapy improved patient illness perception and psychological outcomes compared with standard angiography-guided care. Clinically, this supports using stress perfusion CMR endotyping not only for diagnosis but also to address diagnostic uncertainty-driven psychological 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 ↗
Acute Coronary Syndromes & Myocardial Infarction Imaging
Apical Takotsubo Syndrome After Elective Stenting of the Left Anterior Descending Artery.
This case report studied a 77-year-old woman with stable coronary artery disease who developed apical takotsubo syndrome shortly after elective percutaneous coronary intervention with left anterior descending (LAD) artery stenting. Despite postprocedural chest pain and electrocardiographic changes mimicking acute myocardial infarction, coronary angiography showed patent stent implantation without acute thrombosis. The report is significant because it highlights the diagnostic pitfall of mistaking post-PCI takotsubo syndrome for procedural complications such as type 4a MI, emphasizing the role of coronary imaging and cardiac magnetic resonance in distinguishing etiologies.
Vitalieva K, Shalaginova Y, Stukalova O et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Cardiomyopathies & Genetic/Inherited Disorders (Non-ischemic)
Takotsubo Syndrome: From Pathophysiology and Diagnosis to Management.
This review studied the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of takotsubo syndrome (TTS) in predominantly postmenopausal women presenting with acute heart failure that mimics acute myocardial infarction. It found that TTS is characterized by transient left ventricular dysfunction with regional wall-motion abnormalities extending beyond a single coronary territory in the absence of culprit coronary lesions, commonly triggered by emotional or physical stress via multifactorial mechanisms including transient catecholamine-mediated cardiotoxicity and coronary microvascular dysfunction. Clinically, recognizing these features and using appropriate diagnostic strategies is important to differentiate TTS from myocardial infarction and guide management.
Marschall A, Salamanca J, Cecconi A et al. · The American journal of cardiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Cardiac imaging in Chagas cardiomyopathy for phenotypic characterisation and risk stratification.
This narrative review studied how cardiac imaging can characterize phenotypes and stratify risk in Chagas cardiomyopathy (CCM) caused by Trypanosoma cruzi. It found that conventional clinical markers often underestimate early myocardial injury and that advanced imaging demonstrates myocardial involvement that frequently precedes overt clinical disease, including patterns such as fibrosis and structural/electrical complications (details truncated). Scientifically and clinically, improved imaging-based phenotyping may enable earlier detection and better risk stratification for patients who will develop progressive CCM.
Johnson A, Katraj SVK, Pooranachandran V · Heart failure reviews · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Muscular dystrophy cardiomyopathy in pediatric cardiac MRI.
This case-based report studied pediatric cardiomyopathy assessment using cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) in a patient with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) who had normal ECG and echocardiogram findings. The authors demonstrated that CMR can detect or characterize myocardial involvement that may be missed by standard screening tests and can therefore guide prognosis and treatment planning in DMD. The clinical significance is that CMR may improve early identification of muscular dystrophy cardiomyopathy and enable earlier risk stratification.
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 case report studied 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. Echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance showed nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy with reduced ejection fraction and dyssynchrony, after which alternative causes were excluded and extended cardiomyopathy gene testing was negative. The finding is clinically significant because it documents dilated cardiomyopathy as a previously unreported systemic cardiac manifestation of SPG4-HSP, supporting broader cardiologic surveillance in this genetic neurodegenerative disorder.
Gude S, Kleiven Ø, Edvardsen T · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Exercise recommendations for patients with Marfan syndrome: an updated review.
This updated review studied evidence and recommendations for exercise in patients with Marfan syndrome, a genetic autosomal dominant connective tissue disorder with major cardiovascular risks such as aortic root dilatation and dissection. It synthesizes how exercise can be beneficial in general but may be “double-edged” in Marfan syndrome due to disease-specific cardiovascular pathology and exercise-related hemodynamic stress. The clinical significance is that it provides updated guidance to help clinicians and patients balance fitness benefits against the risk of aortic complications.
Jayaratne N, Gianni A, Riding N et al. · European journal of preventive cardiology · (2026) · 1 citations · View on PubMed ↗
Inflammatory/Autoimmune Myocarditis & Vasculitis Cardiac Involvement
The association between current CD4 counts and subclinical myocardial injury by cardiac magnetic resonance in HIV: independence from cardiovascular risk factors.
This prospective study enrolled 98 people with HIV (PWH) without known cardiovascular disease and 91 Framingham Risk Score–matched non-HIV controls to test whether immune status, reflected by current CD4 counts, is associated with subclinical myocardial injury on CMR independent of traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Lower current CD4 counts correlated with greater CMR evidence of myocardial injury, including native T1/T2 mapping abnormalities, higher extracellular volume fraction (ECV), and/or late gadolinium enhancement (LGE). The results link immune suppression to subclinical cardiac damage in HIV, suggesting CD4 count as a potential marker for cardiovascular risk even when conventional risk factors are accounted for.
Gan Y, Zhan Y, Zhang R et al. · AIDS (London, England) · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Cardiac Echinococcosis: Rare and Challenging Presentations-A Case Series.
This retrospective case series studied five patients (4 female, 1 male; ages 26–58) with cardiac echinococcosis (hydatid cysts) presenting with chest pain, lumbalgia, abdominal pain, or no symptoms. It found that initial work-up with X-ray or transthoracic echocardiography was followed by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), which confirmed the diagnosis in all cases, with cysts involving intramyocardial and epicardial layers, the interventricular septum, or the right atrium. The findings highlight that in endemic regions, CMR is crucial for diagnosing rare cardiac cystic masses and avoiding misdiagnosis.
Delibaş D, Soylu BG, Yumak T et al. · Journal of clinical ultrasound : JCU · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Hydroxychloroquine Cardiotoxicity Confirmed by Electron Microscopy: The Myocarditis Mimic.
This JACC Case Reports article studied hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) cardiotoxicity in a 79-year-old woman who had taken HCQ for 10 years and presented with fatigue, dizziness, and exertional dyspnea with low cardiac output physiology. It found that CMR showed diffuse patchy midmyocardial and subepicardial late gadolinium enhancement and that cardiac positron emission tomography showed diffuse FDG uptake sparing the subendocardium, while endomyocardial biopsy with electron microscopy confirmed cardiomyocyte vacuolization consistent with an HCQ myocarditis mimic. The case is clinically significant because it underscores that HCQ can cause cardiomyopathy that resembles inflammatory myocarditis, requiring careful diagnostic evaluation and consideration of drug-induced injury.
Behr P, Paik KS, Park C et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Extensive Cardiac Involvement in ANCA-Associated Vasculitis Presenting With Severe Aortic Regurgitation and Atrioventricular Block.
This case report studied extensive inflammatory cardiac involvement in a 53-year-old woman with ANCA-associated vasculitis presenting with severe aortic regurgitation and progressive high-grade atrioventricular (AV) block. Multimodality imaging showed valvuloaortic inflammatory thickening with cusp retraction, moderate pericardial effusion, and nonischemic septal late gadolinium enhancement alongside worsening AV block. The report highlights that ANCA-associated vasculitis can cause rare, life-threatening valvuloaortic disease with conduction system involvement that may be detected early with cardiac imaging.
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 studied the phenotypic spectrum of cardiac involvement in three patients with eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA). Patients demonstrated distinct patterns including inflammatory cardiomyopathy responsive to escalated immunosuppression and guideline-directed medical therapy, an advanced fibrotic phenotype with cardiogenic shock requiring mechanical circulatory support, and a relapsing-remitting eosinophilic peri—(truncated in abstract). The findings emphasize that EGPA cardiac disease can be activity-independent and heterogeneous, supporting phenotype-driven management rather than relying solely on systemic disease activity.
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 clinical case report studied a 54-year-old man with nonischemic cardiomyopathy who presented with septic shock and decompensated heart failure without myasthenia gravis (MG). Imaging identified a calcified anterior mediastinal mass that was later diagnosed as a thymoma, supporting a rare paraneoplastic mechanism of myocardial injury independent of MG (diagnosis details truncated). The report is significant because it broadens the differential for nonischemic cardiomyopathy to include thymoma-related paraneoplastic cardiac involvement even when MG is absent.
Barman M, Al Hariri B, Babiker T et al. · Clinical case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Golimumab-Associated Myocarditis with Progressive Eosinophilia after Route Switch in Rheumatoid Arthritis.
This case report studied a 51-year-old man with seropositive rheumatoid arthritis who developed progressive eosinophilia and myocarditis after switching to intravenous golimumab (a TNF-α inhibitor). The key finding was suspected golimumab-associated myocarditis temporally linked to a route switch that produced a marked rise in peak serum concentration, with markedly elevated high-sensitivity troponin I and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction. This is significant for pharmacovigilance and for clinicians to consider TNF-α inhibitor–associated myocarditis, especially after changes in formulation or route that increase drug exposure.
Ammari S, Ibrahim N · European journal of case reports in internal medicine · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Diagnostic challenges in isolated cardiac sarcoidosis.
This review studied the diagnostic problem of isolated cardiac sarcoidosis (iCS), a granulomatous process limited to the myocardium, and how to integrate multimodality imaging, endomyocardial biopsy, and molecular testing while excluding extracardiac disease. It found that cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) and positron emission tomography (PET) provide complementary assessment of myocardial inflammation and fibrosis, improving diagnostic confidence, while electroanatomic mapping–guided biopsy may increase histologic yield and genetic testing may further clarify risk and etiology. The synthesis highlights practical strategies to improve diagnosis of a high-prognosis condition that is fundamentally one of exclusion.
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 studied 142 adults with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) to characterize serologic and clinical correlates of CMR-confirmed myocarditis, evaluate diagnostic performance of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hs-TnI), and quantify myocarditis’s independent prognostic impact versus interstitial lung disease (ILD). Myocarditis was confirmed using the 2018 Lake Louise Criteria at diagnosis and during follow-up when clinically suspected or when hs-TnI was elevated, with or without immunosuppression. The findings support CMR-based myocarditis detection as a clinically meaningful prognostic marker in IIM and clarify how hs-TnI relates to CMR-confirmed disease.
Álvarez-Troncoso J, Refoyo-Salicio E, Díaz-Planellas S et al. · Rheumatology international · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Cardio-oncology: Cancer-Related Cardiac Manifestations & Shared Risk
Association of Subclinical Cardiac Remodeling With Incident Cancer in the MESA Cohort.
This study used cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) measures of subclinical cardiac remodeling in the MESA (Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis) cohort to evaluate associations with incident cancer using multivariable Cox proportional hazards models. Certain CMR remodeling phenotypes (e.g., LA/LV structural and functional changes captured by CMR) were associated with higher risk of developing cancer during follow-up. These findings extend the concept of subclinical cardiovascular remodeling as a systemic risk marker and motivate further work on shared mechanisms linking cardiac remodeling to cancer development.
Cai X, White Q, Juarez J et al. · Journal of the American Heart Association · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Ovarian Endometrioid Carcinoma Presenting With Presumed Right Ventricular Intracardiac Metastasis and Superimposed Thrombus: A Rare Manifestation of Gynecologic Malignancy.
This case report describes a 69-year-old woman with FIGO grade 3 endometrioid ovarian carcinoma who presented with a presumed right ventricular intracardiac metastasis and superimposed thrombus. Imaging raised concern for a right ventricular mass with thrombus in the setting of gynecologic malignancy, and the report highlights the rarity of intracavitary right ventricular involvement from gynecologic cancer. The case emphasizes the need to consider metastatic disease and thrombosis in patients with cancer who present with intracardiac masses on imaging.
Memon M · Cureus · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in heart failure and myeloproliferative neoplasms: clinical applications and risk scores - a narrative review.
This narrative review studied diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for heart failure (HF) in patients with Philadelphia-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs), emphasizing cardio-oncology risk models. It found that HF is frequently underestimated in this at-risk cancer population due to shared thrombo-inflammatory pathways and that existing risk scores often omit MPN-specific variables, while summarizing current biomarker evidence and proposed risk-score approaches (details truncated). Clinically, incorporating appropriate biomarkers and risk scoring could improve detection and cardiovascular risk management in patients with MPN-associated HF.
Muraretu IR, Gurghean AL, Gradinaru A et al. · Cardio-oncology (London, England) · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Pericardial Hemangioma: A Case Report and Updated Literature Review.
This case report and literature review studied a 57-year-old man with positional chest pain in whom a hypervascular pericardial mass was evaluated using coronary computed tomography angiography, cardiac magnetic resonance, and DOTATATE PET/CT plus plasma catecholamines. Despite imaging that suggested an epicardial tumor contiguous with the visceral pericardium and suspicion for intrapericardial paraganglioma, normal DOTATATE PET/CT and catecholamines led to surgical excision and histopathologic confirmation of pericardial hemangioma. The report emphasizes a diagnostic pathway to distinguish pericardial hemangioma from other hypervascular cardiac/pericardial tumors that can mimic it.
Azees R, Udongwo N, Esomonye T et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Thromboembolism & Intracardiac Thrombosis in Cardiac Disease
Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria Presenting With Progressive Biventricular Thrombi.
This case report studied a 34-year-old woman with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) presenting with progressive biventricular thrombi after a recent viral respiratory infection. The key finding was that cardiac imaging (including echocardiography and cardiac MRI) identified large left ventricular thrombus and concerning findings consistent with thrombotic cardiac involvement in the setting of hemolysis and elevated inflammatory markers. Clinically, it underscores that PNH can present with severe, rapidly progressive intracardiac thrombosis requiring prompt recognition and management.
Nunnelee JS, Weber GA, Bergeron NP et al. · Case reports in hematology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Probable Antiphospholipid Syndrome Causing Biventricular Thrombi and Cardiogenic Shock.
This JACC Case Reports 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. Initial laboratory testing supported probable antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), and management included inotropic support and anticoagulation, but she could not be weaned from inotropes and chose hospice care. The case highlights the diagnostic uncertainty and limited evidence for treating extensive biventricular thrombosis 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 ↗
Microaxial Left Ventricular Assist Device as Bridge to Transplantation in Postinfarction Left Ventricular Pseudoaneurysm.
This case report studied a 61-year-old man with postinfarction left ventricular (LV) pseudoaneurysm presenting with recurrent cardiogenic shock one month after myocardial infarction. Transthoracic echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance identified a large apical LV pseudoaneurysm compressing the right ventricle, and because surgical risk was prohibitive he was bridged to transplant using prolonged Impella 5.5 mechanical circulatory support. The clinical significance is that it demonstrates a feasible bridge-to-transplant strategy for high-risk LV pseudoaneurysm when definitive surgery is not immediately safe.
Callahan S, Horvat N, Yu M · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Valvular/Structural Heart Disease & Congenital Anomalies
Coronary Artery Involvement in Kawasaki Disease and Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children: Imaging, Risk Stratification, and Long-Term Cardiovascular Considerations.
This review article examined cardiovascular imaging findings, risk stratification, and long-term cardiovascular considerations for coronary artery involvement in children with Kawasaki disease (KD) and multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). The key finding was that KD most commonly causes persistent coronary artery abnormalities such as dilation and aneurysms, whereas MIS-C shows less frequent and often transient coronary involvement with different long-term implications. This synthesis is significant for guiding imaging surveillance strategies and risk stratification in pediatric inflammatory diseases affecting the coronary circulation.
Fatima A, Akram MB, Asghar AH et al. · Cardiology in review · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Mitral Regurgitation Assessment Using a Novel Automated 3D Color Flow Quantification: Comparison With 2D PISA and CMR.
This retrospective study evaluated a novel automated three-dimensional color flow quantification (3D Auto CFQ) tool for mitral regurgitation (MR) severity and regurgitant volume in 185 consecutive patients undergoing transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), comparing it with 2D proximal isovelocity surface area (PISA) and against cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR). 3D Auto CFQ demonstrated feasibility and improved performance for MR quantification relative to conventional 2D PISA by leveraging real-time 3D TEE color Doppler integrated with a fluid-dynamics-based model. The approach could reduce geometric and single-frame limitations of 2D echocardiography and improve MR grading accuracy for clinical decision-making and trial endpoints.
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 ↗
Unique Shield: An Obstructive Huge Tricuspid Pouch Associated With Ventricular Septal Defect Developing Into Adulthood.
This adult case report studied a rare congenital tricuspid valve (TV) pouch causing right ventricular (RV) inflow obstruction in a 43-year woman with a perimembranous ventricular septal defect (VSD). Cardiac magnetic resonance showed a large perimembranous VSD with bidirectional flow into the TV pouch but no effective communication with the right ventricle, preventing a significant left-to-right shunt and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Surgical partial excision of the pouch and VSD closure (with TV preservation) highlights an anatomic mechanism and management strategy for TV pouch–related RV inflow obstruction.
Rentapalla SK, Kumar B, Mukherjee A et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Non-cardiac/Health Systems & Cross-disciplinary (e.g., IDS, ED-to-admission, Renal ultrasound)
Correlation Between Computer-Assisted Ultrasonographic Parameters and Histological Findings in Glomerular Diseases: A Multivariate Ordinal Analysis.
This study used computer-assisted renal ultrasonography and Doppler parameters—cortical-to-liver/spleen echogenicity ratio, corticomedullary ratio (CMR), renal resistivity index (RRI), splenic resistivity index (SRI), and DI-RISK—then correlated them with kidney biopsy histology in patients with glomerular diseases, including lupus nephritis activity and chronicity lesions. The multivariate ordinal analysis found that specific ultrasound-derived grayscale and Doppler measures were significantly associated with the severity of histological lesions. These results suggest that quantitative, computer-assisted ultrasound could help noninvasively estimate biopsy-proven glomerular pathology and potentially guide clinical decision-making.
Araújo NC, da Silveira Rioja L, Suassuna JHR · Journal of clinical ultrasound : JCU · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Estimating the Effect of Hospital Admission on Health Care Outcomes and Spending Among Persons With Dementia : A Quasi-experimental Study.
This quasi-experimental instrumental variable study estimated the effect of hospital admission on health care outcomes and spending among Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries aged 66+ with dementia who visited an emergency department (ED) in 2017–2019 in the United States. Hospital admission was associated with worse patient outcomes and increased health care spending compared with the counterfactual scenario without admission, using emergency physicians’ admission propensity as the instrument. The findings quantify the downstream burden of ED-to-inpatient transitions for persons with dementia and support interventions to reduce avoidable admissions.
Ikesu R, Mayeda ER, McGarry K et al. · Annals of internal medicine · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Invariant state modelling for robust adaptive intrusion detection in software-defined internet of things environments.
This Scientific Reports study investigated an invariant-state modeling approach for robust adaptive intrusion detection in software-defined internet of things (SD-IoT) environments. It found that the proposed RADIUS framework uses a Temporal Convolution Encoder (TCE) with dilated causal convolutions to build traffic embeddings and an Adaptive State Transition Module (ASTM) to identify latent state transitions, aiming to handle non-stationary and non-recurrent attacks (details truncated). The scientific significance is that invariant-state modeling may improve IDS robustness and deployability in heterogeneous, high-throughput 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 studied treatment strategies for children and adolescents with early-stage nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma (nLPHL) in the EuroNet-PHL-LP1 cohort, comparing complete lymph node resection with active surveillance versus low-intensity anthracycline-free CVP chemotherapy for unresectable disease. The study design and interim results support that completely resected patients can be managed with surveillance, while unresectable nodal disease can be treated with three cycles of CVP (cyclophosphamide, vincristine, prednisone) to reduce treatment intensity. If confirmed, the trial could refine risk-adapted therapy to maintain high event-free survival while minimizing exposure to anthracyclines in pediatric low-risk nLPHL.
Shankar AG, Landman-Parker J, Mascarin M et al. · Blood advances · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Generated automatically on June 10, 2026. Covers PubMed articles published June 03, 2026 – June 10, 2026. Summaries are AI-generated; always consult the original publication for clinical or research decisions.