What's New in Cardiac MRI? — June 12, 2026
AI-summarised digest of 52 PubMed articles on Cardiac MRI published in the last 7 days.
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What’s New in Cardiac MRI?
June 12, 2026 · 52 articles · 15 research themes · covering June 05, 2026 – June 12, 2026
Overview
This week’s digest is dominated by a clear push toward making cardiac imaging more actionable: multiple studies refine how CMR-derived tissue and hemodynamic biomarkers predict downstream outcomes. In acute myocardial infarction, new CMR approaches quantify edema-defined area at risk and infarcted myocardium (including with T1 rho), and explainable AI aims to predict intramyocardial hemorrhage before reperfusion—together moving risk stratification earlier in the care pathway. In chronic disease, CMR continues to expand beyond “function” into mechanistic phenotyping: left atrial–left ventricular coupling (LACI), incidental pericardial LGE, and CMR-based congestion staging in heart failure all support more granular prognostic models than conventional clinical assessment alone.
A second major theme is risk prediction and phenotypic evolution across cardiomyopathies and systemic conditions. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy papers emphasize improved long-term risk modeling by integrating clinical, CMR, genetic, and biomarker data, while additional work links myocardial trabecular complexity to sudden cardiac death risk and identifies CMR predictors of future symptomatic heart failure. Takotsubo syndrome research highlights both mechanistic understanding and CMR biomarkers (e.g., left ventricular stroke volume indexed) for outcome prediction, alongside case-based evidence that triggers such as COVID-19 can precipitate recurrence with malignant arrhythmias. Across systemic diseases—HIV (immune status and duration), Chagas, vasculitis/EGPA, and endocrine disorders—imaging is repeatedly positioned as an earlier detector of subclinical injury and a tool to tailor surveillance and therapy.
Finally, the methods frontier is strongly represented. Several papers tackle reproducibility and generalizability: automated CMR workflows (including free-breathing 3T and earlier-than-usual fetal 3D CMR with motion correction), cross-scanner deep learning for automated strain, and frameworks for interpreting LGE “granularity” with standardized acquisition and AI-assisted pipelines. Complementing this, explainable AI and robust learning methods are applied to clinical imaging tasks and even broader multimodal retrieval settings—reflecting a broader trend toward trustworthy, scalable analytics that can be deployed across real-world variability.
Cardiac MRI automation & workflow optimization
Exploration of 3D fetal cardiac MRI in the late second trimester.
This study evaluated feasibility and diagnostic potential of automated motion-correction for 3D fetal cardiac MRI in late second trimester fetuses (20–27+6 weeks), using black-blood fetal CMR datasets from controls and fetuses with congenital heart disease (CHD). It reconstructed 3D volumes and assessed image quality and 19 cardiovascular structures with sequential segmental analysis, correlating performance with gestational age and fetal body volume. The significance is that automated motion correction could expand the clinical utility of fetal CMR earlier than traditional late-gestation-only protocols, improving CHD assessment.
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 evaluated a fully automated free-breathing cardiac MRI workflow at 3T versus a manual free-breathing workflow in consecutive patients referred for non-stress CMR. The automated workflow integrated automated plane prescription steps and was assessed for total examination time, plane prescription accuracy, and image quality to determine whether automation improves efficiency and reduces workflow burden. If validated in routine practice, fully automated free-breathing 3T CMR could standardize acquisition, shorten scan times, and improve throughput without sacrificing 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 ↗
CMR biomarkers for myocardial injury, remodeling, and prognosis
The Feasibility of Low Contrast Dose Dual-energy CT for Quantifying Myocardial Focal Scar via Extracellular Volume Fraction.
This prospective study evaluated whether low-contrast-agent-dose dual-energy CT (DECT) using myocardial extracellular volume (ECV) quantification can measure myocardial focal scar (MFS) compared with cardiac MRI (CMR) ECV and CMR late gadolinium enhancement (LGE). In 33 patients with confirmed old myocardial infarction, DECT-LIE-derived ECV and CMR-ECV were compared segment-by-segment (1–16 LV segments) and specifically for MFS versus remote myocardium on matched slices using CMR-LGE as reference. The scientific significance is that low-dose DECT ECV may provide a quantitative alternative to CMR for focal scar assessment, potentially improving accessibility while reducing contrast exposure.
Chen F, Jia T, Luo L et al. · The British journal of radiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Relative importance of weight gain among cardiometabolic risk factors in the development of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease: An observational study using large-scale health examination data.
This retrospective cohort study evaluated 7,687 individuals undergoing health screening to determine how weight gain—captured by BMI and waist circumference changes over 5 years—contributes to incident metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) relative to other cardiometabolic risk factors. The key finding was the relative importance of obesity-related indices (BMI/waist) and the identification of a weight-gain threshold associated with increased MASLD risk. Scientifically and clinically, the study supports using specific weight-gain metrics to refine MASLD risk prediction and prevention targets.
Sahara K, Yokoyama S, Ito T et al. · Internal medicine (Tokyo, Japan) · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Clinical significance of incidental pericardial late gadolinium enhancement on cardiac magnetic resonance.
This retrospective single-center study evaluated the clinical significance of incidentally detected pericardial late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) on cardiac magnetic resonance in patients undergoing clinically indicated CMR. The key finding was that incidental pericardial LGE may carry prognostic implications consistent with persistent subclinical pericardial inflammation, rather than being purely benign. Scientifically, it supports considering pericardial LGE as a potentially meaningful biomarker even when found outside the original clinical indication.
Lepre V, Moretto N, De Martino M et al. · International journal of cardiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
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 to left ventricular end-diastolic volume—in large populations across health and disease. The key finding was that LACI varies by demographic factors, population-specific reference thresholds can be established, and LACI provides incremental predictive value for cardiovascular outcomes beyond established markers. This supports broader clinical implementation of LACI as an imaging biomarker of LA–LV coupling once appropriate thresholds are applied.
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 ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Field Strength Dependence, Physiologic Correlates, and Prognostic Significance of Ventricular Blood Pool T2 Mapping on Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Imaging.
This retrospective CMR study evaluated adults undergoing cardiovascular magnetic resonance at 1.5 Tesla or 3 Tesla for cardiomyopathy (2018–2020) and healthy controls, focusing on ventricular blood pool (BP) T2 mapping and the right-to-left ventricular RV/LV BP T2 ratio. It assessed field-strength dependence, physiologic correlates, and field-specific T2 ratio cut-points for predicting major adverse cardiac events (MACE), with reproducibility tested in a subset of 100 patients. The findings are important scientifically and clinically because they support using field-appropriate BP T2 thresholds and physiologic context when interpreting CMR T2 mapping for prognosis.
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 ↗
Cardiac magnetic resonance in patients with acute myocardial infarction: The added clinical value.
This review/article assessed the clinical added value of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). It highlights that CMR provides not only ventricular volumes and ejection fraction but also infarct size, ischemic area at risk, microvascular obstruction, intramyocardial hemorrhage, and interstitial remodeling using techniques such as late gadolinium enhancement and parametric mapping (native T1, T2, T2*, and extracellular volume). These capabilities support improved risk stratification and prognostication by linking specific tissue-level injury patterns to adverse left ventricular remodeling and long-term outcomes.
Alberti M, Faggioni L, Cioni D et al. · Vascular pharmacology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
CMR in acute myocardial infarction (edema, AAR, IMH, infarct characterization)
Myocardial salvage and functional recovery prediction: T1 rho vs conventional CMR in acute myocardial infarction.
This prospective acute myocardial infarction (AMI) study evaluated whether T1 rho–based CMR can quantify edema-defined area at risk (AAR) and infarcted myocardium and predict adverse left ventricular remodeling at 3 months. In 60 reperfused AMI patients treated with PCI (with follow-up CMR at 3 months), both T1 rho–derived edema-defined AAR and infarcted myocardium were detectable and used to forecast convalescent remodeling, including in patients with microvascular obstruction (MVO). The work suggests T1 rho CMR may improve prediction of functional recovery and remodeling compared with conventional CMR approaches in reperfused AMI.
Guo M, Qian Y, Wu C et al. · Magnetic resonance imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD/CMVD) and stress perfusion imaging
Inhibition of late sodium current (INa) to prevent coronary MICROvascular dysfunction in patients presenting with ST-elevation myocardial infarction and multivessel disease: A phase IIb multicenter, randomized, controlled and open label study (INaMICRON).
This phase IIb multicenter randomized open-label trial (INaMICRON) tested whether early inhibition of the late sodium current with ranolazine, added to guideline-directed medical therapy, can prevent or improve coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) in adults with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) who underwent successful primary PCI and had at least one significant non-culprit lesion. The key finding reported in the abstract is the trial’s design and rationale: ranolazine is expected to favorably modulate microvascular function during the early post-infarction period compared with standard therapy. Clinically, if effective, this strategy could reduce persistent ischemia and impaired recovery driven by residual CMD after STEMI.
Di Serafino L, Ciaramella L, De Rosa S et al. · International journal of cardiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
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 the prognostic significance of stress perfusion CMR in adults (≥18 years) with known or suspected coronary artery disease who had supranormal left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF ≥65%) on CMR. Participants underwent clinical stress perfusion CMR at an academic hospital in Thailand (2011–2022) and were followed for cardiovascular outcomes to determine whether stress perfusion abnormalities add prognostic information beyond preserved/supranormal LVEF. The study informs how to risk-stratify patients with apparently preserved systolic function using stress perfusion CMR rather than LVEF alone.
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 where symptoms overlap with obstructive coronary artery disease. It summarizes evidence for noninvasive tools—particularly positron emission tomography–based methods and other imaging/physiologic strategies—to detect CMVD and distinguish it from epicardial coronary disease. The significance is improved early, accurate CMVD diagnosis, which can enable more appropriate intervention and risk management.
Li L, Tse G, Bazoukis G et al. · Current cardiology reviews · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Valvular heart disease (aortic/mitral) and dual-valve CMR risk
Impact of Concomitant Mitral Regurgitation in Moderate Aortic Stenosis: Assessment of Remodeling and Clinical Outcomes.
This cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR)-based observational study assessed 742 patients with at least moderate aortic stenosis (422 moderate AS, 320 severe AS) to determine how concomitant mitral regurgitation (MR) burden affects cardiac remodeling and clinical outcomes. The key finding was that MR coexisting with moderate AS meaningfully influenced remodeling and outcomes compared with isolated moderate and severe AS strata. This is significant because it helps clinicians risk-stratify patients with “dual-valve” disease using CMR rather than relying on a single-valve severity threshold.
Gabr EM, Xiao M, Saeed M et al. · JACC. Cardiovascular imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Heart failure risk stratification using CMR hemodynamics
Da Vinci® X™, Versius®, and Hugo™ RAS in minimally invasive robotic-assisted hysterectomy: the COMPAR-HYST prospective study.
This COMPAR-HYST prospective study compared robotic platforms—da Vinci X™, Versius®, and Hugo™ RAS—for minimally invasive robotic-assisted hysterectomy in consecutive adult women scheduled for elective laparoscopic hysterectomy in 2024. The key finding was the comparative performance across platforms on the composite outcome of “optimal hysterectomy” and perioperative outcomes under a non-randomized 1:1:1 assignment based on platform availability. Clinically, the results inform platform selection by providing evidence on operative performance and safety tradeoffs among competing robotic systems.
Garzon S, Landi S, Da Ros A et al. · Surgical endoscopy · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
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 with heart failure, stratifying them into four MRI haemodynamic congestion stages (normal, isolated volume overload, isolated pressure overload, combined overload). The key finding was that the MRI haemodynamic staging based on MRI-wedge and PBVi was prognostically informative and associated with non-invasive markers of myocardial fibrosis. These results support using CMR first-pass transit and left-atrial/left-ventricular volumetric measures to refine risk stratification beyond conventional clinical assessment.
Mantini C, Sorella A, Falco D et al. · European radiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
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-derived parameters (including cortical-to-liver/spleen echogenicity ratio, corticomedullary ratio, renal resistivity index, splenic resistivity index, and DI-RISK) to correlate imaging with kidney biopsy histology in patients with glomerular diseases, including lupus nephritis activity and chronicity lesions. The key finding was that multivariate ordinal analysis identified specific ultrasound/Doppler measures that correlated with the severity of histological lupus nephritis components. Clinically, this suggests that quantitative, computer-assisted ultrasound could help non-invasively estimate biopsy-proven glomerular injury burden and potentially support monitoring when repeat biopsy is undesirable.
Araújo NC, da Silveira Rioja L, Suassuna JHR · Journal of clinical ultrasound : JCU · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) risk prediction and phenotypic progression
Prognostic Value of MRI-Based Left Ventricular Trabecular Complexity for Sudden Cardiac Death in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.
This prospective cardiac MRI study evaluated whether left ventricular myocardial trabecular complexity quantified by fractal dimension (FD) predicts sudden cardiac death (SCD) in 835 hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) patients, and examined relationships with sarcomere gene variants. The key finding is that higher MRI-based trabecular complexity (FD) was associated with increased SCD risk, with prognostic value assessed by blinded expert readers using 3T steady-state free precession (SSFP) cine imaging. The clinical significance is that FD-derived trabecular complexity could improve early risk stratification for preventive interventions in HCM, potentially alongside sarcomere-genotype information.
Zhang J, Yu M, Pu L et al. · Journal of magnetic resonance imaging : JMRI · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Puberty-Associated Emergence of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: When Genetics Meets Growth.
This case report described puberty-associated emergence of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) in a 13-year-old boy who was genotype-positive but initially phenotype-negative, with phenotypic conversion occurring during growth. The key finding was that HCM manifestations emerged around adolescence/early adulthood, illustrating how developmental timing can influence penetrance and clinical expression in genetically predisposed individuals. This is significant for counseling and surveillance of genotype-positive children, suggesting that growth/puberty may be a modifier of HCM onset.
Mashiah G, Schamroth N, Yaeger-Yarom G et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Flow-Driven Right-to-Left Shunting Through the Patent Foramen Ovale Causing Hypoxemia and Embolism in a Partial Uhl Anomaly.
This case report studied a 49-year-old woman with partial Uhl anomaly and hypoxemia/embolism, using multimodality imaging to evaluate right-to-left shunting through a patent foramen ovale (PFO). The key finding was that a permanent right-to-left shunt occurred despite normal right-sided pressures, driven by flow redirection related to the congenital right ventricular abnormality. Scientifically and clinically, it highlights that non-pressure-dependent hemodynamics can make PFO shunting clinically significant in rare congenital RV disorders.
Laboratto LE, Vannoni G, Nieto G et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging Parameters Predict New-Onset Symptoms of Heart Failure in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.
This retrospective cohort study evaluated cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) predictors of new-onset heart failure (HF) symptoms in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). The key finding was that specific CMR imaging parameters were associated with subsequent development of HF symptoms in HCM patients. Clinically, it suggests CMR can be used for risk stratification to identify HCM individuals at higher risk for symptomatic HF before clinical deterioration.
da Silva DS, Karlinski Vizentin V, Ferreira Felix I et al. · ESC heart failure · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Predictors of Long-Term Outcomes in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: The NHLBI HCM Registry.
The NHLBI Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) Registry study analyzed prospectively collected clinical history, imaging, genetic, and biomarker data from 2750 patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy to improve prediction of adverse outcomes beyond existing sudden cardiac death–focused risk models. Integrated risk prediction using combined clinical, CMR imaging, genetic, and biomarker variables improved long-term risk stratification for adverse events. This approach could reduce avoidable implantable cardioverter-defibrillator use and better target preventive therapy in HCM patients.
Kramer CM, Kolm P, DiMarco JP et al. · JAMA · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) mechanisms, diagnosis, and CMR prognostic markers
Recurrent Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy Triggered by COVID-19 Infection Complicated by Ventricular Tachycardia Arrest and Cardiogenic Shock: A Case Report.
This case report studied a 73-year-old Hispanic woman with prior Takotsubo cardiomyopathy who developed recurrent Takotsubo triggered by COVID-19 infection, complicated by ventricular tachycardia arrest and cardiogenic shock. The key finding was that SARS-CoV-2 infection precipitated a recurrence with malignant ventricular arrhythmias and hemodynamic collapse. The report highlights COVID-19 as a potential trigger for recurrent stress cardiomyopathy and the need for vigilant arrhythmia and shock monitoring.
Gonzalez Alvarez RR · Cureus · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Takotsubo Syndrome: From Pathophysiology and Diagnosis to Management.
This narrative review summarized current understanding of Takotsubo syndrome (TTS), focusing on pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management in patients—predominantly postmenopausal women—who present with transient left ventricular dysfunction mimicking acute myocardial infarction. The review highlights multifactorial mechanisms including transient catecholamine-mediated cardiotoxicity and coronary microvascular dysfunction, and it outlines diagnostic strategies to distinguish TTS from culprit coronary lesions. Clinically, consolidating these mechanisms and diagnostic criteria supports more accurate, timely management of TTS and avoidance of unnecessary reperfusion therapies.
Marschall A, Salamanca J, Cecconi A et al. · The American journal of cardiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Independent prognostic value of left ventricular stroke volume index in patients with takotsubo syndrome: insights from the EVOLUTION registry.
Using the EVOLUTION registry, this observational study assessed whether CMR-derived left ventricular stroke volume indexed (LVSVi) has independent prognostic value in patients with Takotsubo syndrome (TTS). Patients were categorized by LVSVi (<35 vs ≥35 mL/m²) based on CMR performed at a median of 5 days after admission, and LVSVi stratified risk for major adverse cardiovascular events and all-cause death over a median follow-up of 360 days. These findings support LVSVi as a CMR biomarker for risk prediction in TTS, potentially guiding follow-up intensity and management decisions.
Arcari L, Cau R, Pontone G et al. · Heart (British Cardiac Society) · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Cardiac involvement in systemic/inflammatory diseases (vasculitis, EGPA, Chagas, MPN, HIV immune effects)
Association Between HIV Infection Duration and Left Ventricular Concentric Remodeling and Myocardial Fibrosis: A Cross-Sectional Study Using Cardiac MRI.
This prospective cross-sectional cardiac MRI study assessed associations between HIV infection duration and left ventricular concentric remodeling and myocardial fibrosis in 83 HIV-infected participants (short-duration <5 years vs long-duration ≥5 years) and 34 matched HIV-negative controls. The study reports that longer HIV infection duration is linked to more adverse LV remodeling metrics (e.g., increased LV mass-to-volume ratio and related concentric remodeling measures) and greater myocardial fibrosis burden measured with cardiac MR techniques including 1.5T SSFP cine and MOLLI T1 mapping. Scientifically, it supports duration-dependent cardiac injury in HIV and suggests cardiac MR biomarkers may help track progression and identify patients at higher risk.
Deng C, Sun W, Gao T et al. · Journal of magnetic resonance imaging : JMRI · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Primary Aldosteronism: CXCR4- and FAP-Targeted PET/MR for Adrenal-Cardiac Axis.
This clinical imaging study investigated the adrenal-cardiac axis in primary aldosteronism (PA) using CXCR4-targeted 68Ga-Pentixafor PET/MR and FAP-targeted 68Ga-FAPI-04 PET combined with cardiac MRI. Among 82 participants (40 with PA: 21 aldosterone-producing adenoma and 19 idiopathic hyperaldosteronism; plus 42 with essential hypertension), the study integrates molecular imaging of adrenocortical activity and fibroblast activation with cardiac MR to link PA biology to myocardial remodeling. The clinical significance is that PET/MR and PET/cardiac MRI biomarkers may clarify mechanisms of PA-related cardiovascular risk beyond hemodynamic load and help identify remodeling processes in vivo.
Ding J, Wang K, Song J et al. · Circulation. Cardiovascular imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Cardiovascular effects of metyrapone treatment in patients with mild autonomous cortisol secretion: a secondary analysis.
This secondary analysis studied 15 patients with mild autonomous cortisol secretion (MACS) at the Medical University of Vienna to assess cardiovascular effects before and after 12 weeks of evening metyrapone (500 mg at 6 p.m. and 250 mg at 10 p.m.). The key finding was the direction and magnitude of changes in blood pressure regulation, cardiac fat depots, heart function/morphology, and cardiovascular risk factors following cortisol lowering with metyrapone. These results are clinically significant because they test whether pharmacologic cortisol suppression with metyrapone can improve cardiovascular risk physiology in MACS, a condition linked to higher cardiovascular mortality.
Niziolek H, Just I, Baumgartner C et al. · The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
The association between current CD4 counts and subclinical myocardial injury by cardiac magnetic resonance in HIV: independence from cardiovascular risk factors.
This prospective study evaluated whether immune status—specifically current CD4+ counts—in people with HIV (PWH) without known cardiovascular disease is associated with subclinical myocardial injury measured by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), compared with Framingham Risk Score–matched non-HIV controls. Lower current CD4+ counts were independently associated with CMR markers of subclinical myocardial injury (native T1/T2 mapping, extracellular volume fraction [ECV], and late gadolinium enhancement [LGE]) even after accounting for traditional cardiovascular risk factors. These findings suggest that HIV-related immune dysfunction may contribute to early myocardial injury detectable by CMR, supporting immune-status–informed cardiovascular risk assessment in PWH.
Gan Y, Zhan Y, Zhang R et al. · AIDS (London, England) · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Cardiac imaging in Chagas cardiomyopathy for phenotypic characterisation and risk stratification.
This review examined cardiac imaging approaches for phenotypic characterization and risk stratification in people with Chagas cardiomyopathy (CCM) due to chronic Trypanosoma cruzi infection. It highlights that advanced cardiac imaging detects myocardial involvement—often including conduction abnormalities, ventricular arrhythmias, focal aneurysms, and diffuse fibrosis—earlier than conventional clinical markers, which can underestimate early injury. Clinically, improved imaging-based phenotyping may enable earlier risk stratification and more timely management of CCM progression.
Johnson A, Katraj SVK, Pooranachandran V · Heart failure reviews · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Hydroxychloroquine Cardiotoxicity Confirmed by Electron Microscopy: The Myocarditis Mimic.
This JACC Case Reports report studied a 79-year-old woman who developed suspected hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) cardiotoxicity after 10 years of HCQ therapy. Cardiac MRI showed diffuse patchy midmyocardial/subepicardial late gadolinium enhancement and FDG-PET showed diffuse uptake with subendocardial sparing, but endomyocardial biopsy with electron microscopy confirmed cardiomyocyte vacuolization consistent with HCQ myocarditis mimic. The case is significant because it supports electron microscopy–confirmed HCQ cardiotoxicity as a diagnostic consideration when imaging suggests myocarditis in long-term HCQ users.
Behr P, Paik KS, Park C et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
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 modeling. It reports that thrombo-inflammatory biology, clonal hematopoiesis, and cancer therapy can accelerate cardiovascular damage, while existing HF risk models often omit MPN-specific variables and biomarkers. The significance is that updated biomarker frameworks and risk scores could improve detection and prognostication of HF in this high-risk cancer population.
Muraretu IR, Gurghean AL, Gradinaru A et al. · Cardio-oncology (London, England) · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Extensive Cardiac Involvement in ANCA-Associated Vasculitis Presenting With Severe Aortic Regurgitation and Atrioventricular Block.
This JACC Case Reports article studied 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 AV block, consistent with extensive inflammatory cardiac involvement. The clinical significance is that it underscores the need to consider ANCA-associated vasculitis as a cause of inflammatory valvuloaortic disease with conduction system involvement when coronary disease is absent.
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 JACC Case Reports study described three patients with eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) to characterize the phenotypic spectrum of cardiac involvement. The key finding was distinct cardiac phenotypes ranging from inflammatory cardiomyopathy responsive to escalated immunosuppression and guideline-directed medical therapy, to advanced fibrotic nonischemic cardiomyopathy with cardiogenic shock requiring mechanical circulatory support, and to relapsing-remitting eosinophilic pericardial involvement. The significance is that EGPA cardiac disease can be activity-independent and phenotypically heterogeneous, which should guide prognosis and tailored immunosuppressive versus supportive strategies.
Majeed Z, Manaila AS, Xu B et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Cardiac imaging in congenital heart disease & rare anatomic variants
Right Ventricular Remodeling in Repaired Tetralogy of Fallot: Imaging, Arrhythmia Risk, and Timing of Pulmonary Valve Replacement.
This review characterizes right ventricular (RV) remodeling after repaired tetralogy of Fallot (rTOF) and links imaging findings to arrhythmia risk and the timing of pulmonary valve replacement in patients surviving into adulthood after surgical repair. It highlights that chronic pulmonary regurgitation, residual RV outflow tract obstruction, fibrosis, and electromechanical dyssynchrony drive progressive RV dilatation and declining systolic/diastolic function, creating an arrhythmogenic substrate. Scientifically and clinically, the synthesis supports using multimodal imaging to time pulmonary valve replacement to mitigate RV deterioration and reduce long-term arrhythmia risk.
Fatima H, Akram MB, Sher A et al. · Cardiology in review · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Evaluation of an unbalanced right dominant atrioventricular canal with a single 4D flow dataset.
This pediatric cardiology/cardiothoracic surgery case report presented pre-operative assessment of an unbalanced, right-dominant atrioventricular (AV) canal using a novel cardiac MRI approach based on a single 4D flow dataset. The key finding was that this brief 4D flow acquisition enabled accurate measurement of ventricular volumes and AV valve sizes, supporting decision-making for single-ventricle palliation. Scientifically and clinically, it suggests a streamlined imaging workflow that may improve surgical planning in complex congenital heart disease.
Ream S, Schoeneberg L, King W · Journal of cardiothoracic surgery · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Congenital Pericardial Agenesis: An Innocent Finding or Clinically Significant Condition? A Case Series and Literature Review.
This Journal of Clinical Medicine case series and literature review studied congenital pericardial agenesis (CPA) in four imaging-confirmed patients across two centers. It found heterogeneous clinical presentations ranging from incidental findings to symptoms that can mimic structural heart disease, with the review emphasizing diagnostic challenges and uncertain clinical significance. The significance is that CPA should not always be dismissed as benign, because it may require careful imaging interpretation and management decisions.
Groudeva V, Rovithaki M, Joseph A et al. · Journal of clinical medicine · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Thromboembolism and intracardiac thrombus management (imaging-guided)
Congenital Absence of the Left Atrial Appendage in Atrial Fibrillation With Gastrointestinal Bleeding.
This JACC Case Reports report described a 78-year-old man with permanent atrial fibrillation (AF) and recurrent obscure gastrointestinal bleeding in whom left atrial appendage (LAA) occlusion was considered. Transesophageal echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging showed congenital absence of the LAA with no atrial thrombus, informing anticoagulation strategy in the setting of high bleeding risk. The case is clinically significant because it highlights a rare anatomic AF variant that may alter thromboembolic risk assumptions and anticoagulation decisions.
Nashtar MA, Steinmetz M, Trippe J et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Percutaneous Aspiration Thrombectomy for a Large Right Atrial Thrombus in a Critically Ill Patient.
This JACC Case Reports article described a 52-year-old dialysis-dependent woman with type 1 diabetes and prior pancreas and kidney transplantation who developed a large right atrial (RA) thrombus (4 × 2 cm) associated with catheter-related sepsis. Using percutaneous aspiration thrombectomy with the FlowTriever system, clinicians achieved near-complete thrombus removal, with residual thrombus treated using systemic anticoagulation. The report is significant because it provides practical evidence for a minimally invasive strategy when surgical risk is prohibitive in critically ill patients with RA thrombi.
Nashtar MA, Steinmetz M, Schnitzbauer A et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Cardiac conduction system complications in cardiomyopathies
Sinus Node Dysfunction in Takotsubo Syndrome: An Uncommon Presentation.
This case report studied a 68-year-old patient with Takotsubo syndrome, using coronary angiography and cardiac magnetic resonance to confirm stress cardiomyopathy and monitoring for conduction complications. The key finding was that sinus node dysfunction (SND) developed during hospitalization and persisted even after complete recovery of left ventricular systolic function, necessitating permanent pacemaker implantation. Clinically, it underscores that conduction system abnormalities in Takotsubo can be non-transient and may require durable pacing decisions.
Zakynthinos GE, Kalogeras K, Vlachojannis GJ et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · 1 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Cardiac imaging for infectious diseases (including toxoplasmosis/hydatid)
Amazonian toxoplasmosis complicated by severe hypoxemic pneumonia and myopericarditis in an immunocompetent adult.
This BMC Infectious Diseases case report described Amazonian toxoplasmosis in an immunocompetent adult complicated by severe hypoxemic pneumonia and documented myopericarditis. The key finding was that cardiac involvement (myopericarditis) can occur even in immunocompetent patients with acute toxoplasmosis, despite being exceptionally rare and often underdiagnosed. This is clinically significant because it emphasizes the need to consider cardiac evaluation when toxoplasmosis presents with severe systemic disease.
Fréville B, Herrebrecht C, Samawak C et al. · BMC infectious diseases · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Isolated Cardiac Hydatid Disease Presenting as Ventricular Remodeling and Tamponade.
This case report studied a 16-year-old woman with cardiac hydatid (Echinococcus) disease presenting with ventricular remodeling and cardiac tamponade, using multimodality imaging to characterize pericardial and myocardial involvement. The key finding was identification of a large intact pericardial hydatid cyst with adjacent myocardial thinning, concentric hypertrophy of uninvolved LV segments, active pericarditis, and tamponade physiology. The report emphasizes that echinococcal pericardial disease can mimic malignant or inflammatory cardiac syndromes and should be considered in tamponade presentations with compatible imaging findings.
Yousuf Q, Rashid A, Choh NA et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Right Ventricular Apical Hypoplasia With a Novel Morphologic Presentation: The “Christmas Hat” Sign.
This case report studied a 9-year-old boy with chronic cyanosis and digital clubbing, using multimodal imaging and cardiac magnetic resonance to evaluate right ventricular (RV) apical hypoplasia. The key finding was a novel RV morphology with a compensatory elongated left ventricular apex projecting rightward, producing a distinctive “Christmas hat” configuration. This expands the phenotypic spectrum of congenital RV apical hypoplasia and may improve recognition and diagnostic confidence on CMR.
Meléndez-Ramírez G, Patrón-Chi SA, Figueroa-Galván FS et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Cardiac Echinococcosis: Rare and Challenging Presentations-A Case Series.
This retrospective case series reviewed five patients with cardiac echinococcosis (hydatid cysts) treated at a single center between 2009 and 2024. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) confirmed the diagnosis in all cases after initial work-up with X-ray and/or transthoracic echocardiography, with cysts involving intramyocardial/epicardial layers, the interventricular septum, or the right atrium. The series emphasizes that CMR is crucial for diagnosing rare cardiac hydatid disease in endemic regions when evaluating cardiac cystic masses.
Delibaş D, Soylu BG, Yumak T et al. · Journal of clinical ultrasound : JCU · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Imaging biomarkers in oncology and cardio-oncology risk links
Association of Subclinical Cardiac Remodeling With Incident Cancer in the MESA Cohort.
This MESA (Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis) cohort study examined whether CMR-derived measures of subclinical cardiac remodeling predict incident cancer using multivariable Cox proportional hazards models. Cardiac remodeling metrics from CMR were associated with future cancer risk (for overall and selected cancer types), indicating that subclinical cardiovascular structural changes may reflect systemic processes relevant to carcinogenesis. The results support CMR-based subclinical cardiac phenotyping as a potential risk marker for cancer development in multi-ethnic community populations.
Cai X, White Q, Juarez J et al. · Journal of the American Heart Association · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
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 outcomes and health care spending among Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries aged 66+ with dementia who visited an emergency department (ED) in the United States from 2017–2019. Hospital admission was associated with worse patient outcomes and higher health care spending compared with the counterfactual risk of admission. The findings highlight that transitions triggered by ED care can have measurable downstream harms in older adults with dementia, informing care coordination and policy interventions.
Ikesu R, Mayeda ER, McGarry K et al. · Annals of internal medicine · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Ovarian Endometrioid Carcinoma Presenting With Presumed Right Ventricular Intracardiac Metastasis and Superimposed Thrombus: A Rare Manifestation of Gynecologic Malignancy.
This case report described a 69-year-old woman with FIGO grade 3 ovarian endometrioid carcinoma who developed a presumed right ventricular intracardiac metastasis with superimposed thrombus. Routine oncologic imaging identified a right ventricular mass with thrombus, and the diagnosis was supported by the patient’s gynecologic cancer history and subsequent evaluation. The report underscores that rare intracardiac cardiac metastases from gynecologic malignancies can present as right ventricular masses with thrombus, which is clinically important for diagnosis and management.
Memon M · Cureus · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
AI/ML methods for cardiac imaging and multimodal retrieval (including explainable AI)
Segmental strain in chronic ischemic cardiomyopathy: clarifying the role of multiple-comparison adjustment and the clinical interpretation of limits of agreement.
This article discusses segmental left ventricular longitudinal strain comparisons between feature-tracking cardiac magnetic resonance (FT-CMR) and 2D speckle-tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) in 55 stable patients with chronic ischemic heart disease and reduced ejection fraction. The authors emphasize that segment-level paired comparisons require explicit multiple-comparison adjustment and that limits of agreement should not be interpreted as evidence that the two modalities are interchangeable for individual or longitudinal assessment. Clinically, this methodological clarification affects how clinicians should translate segmental strain agreement into patient-level decisions and follow-up monitoring across imaging platforms.
Malik MMUD, Jayaswal RP · Journal of cardiovascular imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Clinical Importance of All the Characteristics of Late Gadolinium Enhancement from Acquisition to Expert and Artificial Intelligence Analysis: State-of-the-Art.
This state-of-the-art review examines how late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) “granularity” (location, extent, and pattern) and technical factors from acquisition through expert and artificial intelligence (AI) analysis influence the clinical interpretation of LGE in cardiovascular magnetic resonance. The key message is that LGE prognostic value depends not only on presence/extent but also on standardized acquisition choices (contrast-media and post-processing) and consistent interpretation pipelines, including AI methods. Scientifically, it provides a framework for improving reproducibility and risk prediction across cardiac conditions by treating LGE characterization as a multi-step, data-dependent process.
Florence J, Unger A, Gonçalves T et al. · Journal of cardiovascular magnetic resonance : official journal of the Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Parameter-efficient adaptation of foundational models for automated myocardial strain analysis.
This study developed a parameter-efficient deep learning approach for automated myocardial strain analysis that targets cross-scanner and cross-institution generalization. Using CardiacSAM (a lightweight adaptation of the Segment Anything Model fine-tuned with Low-Rank Adaptation (LoRA)) for cardiac structure segmentation and uniGradICON for myocardial motion estimation, the authors show that foundational models can be adapted with minimal data to robustly estimate myocardial strain across domains. The clinical significance is more reliable automated strain quantification for routine care and multicenter studies without requiring large retraining datasets for each imaging site.
Bernardo A, Mato G, Calandrelli M et al. · Biomedical physics & engineering express · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Predicting Intramyocardial Hemorrhage Before Reperfusion in STEMI Patients With Intrinsically Explainable Artificial Intelligence.
This JACC Advances study developed an intrinsically explainable AI model to predict intramyocardial hemorrhage (IMH) before reperfusion in 288 STEMI patients from the MIRON-PREDICT clinical study (252 for development, 36 for validation). The key finding is that the explainable AI approach can identify patients at risk of IMH using pre-reperfusion electrocardiographic, angiographic, and clinical variables and is translated into a practical bedside score. Clinically, pre-reperfusion IMH prediction could enable earlier risk stratification and potentially guide management strategies in reperfused STEMI.
Youssef K, Vora KP, Gupta R et al. · JACC. Advances · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
NOTO: Noise-Tolerate Evidential Learning for Open-Set Cross-modal Retrieval.
This methods paper introduced NOTO (Noise-Tolerate Evidential Learning) for open-set cross-modal retrieval, addressing scenarios where training labels are both noisy and incomplete due to open-set categories. The key finding was that evidential learning can better tolerate open-set noisy labels (OSNL) compared with closed-set assumptions in cross-modal retrieval tasks. This is significant for real-world multimodal retrieval systems where new classes emerge and annotation noise is unavoidable.
Pu R, Su C, Hu P et al. · IEEE transactions on image processing : a publication of the IEEE Signal Processing Society · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Invariant state modelling for robust adaptive intrusion detection in software-defined internet of things environments.
This Scientific Reports study developed an invariant state modeling approach for robust adaptive intrusion detection in software-defined Internet of Things (SD-IoT) environments using a Temporal Convolution Encoder (TCE) with dilated/causal convolutions and an Adaptive State Transition Module (ASTM). The key finding is the proposed RADIUS framework that learns efficient traffic embeddings and latent state transitions to handle heterogeneous, high-throughput, and non-stationary attacks. Its significance is practical: it provides a deployable IDS architecture aimed at improving cyber defense performance in real-world SD-IoT networks.
Gowroju S, Reddy SSS, Choudhary S et al. · Scientific reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Generated automatically on June 12, 2026. Covers PubMed articles published June 05, 2026 – June 12, 2026. Summaries are AI-generated; always consult the original publication for clinical or research decisions.