What's New in Cardiac MRI? — June 21, 2026
AI-summarised digest of 50 PubMed articles on Cardiac MRI published in the last 7 days.
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What’s New in Cardiac MRI?
June 21, 2026 · 50 articles · 15 research themes · covering June 14, 2026 – June 21, 2026
Overview
This week’s digest is dominated by advances in cardiac imaging—especially cardiac MRI—and by clinical efforts to better phenotype cardiac disease using multimodal, quantitative biomarkers. Multiple studies and case reports highlight how CMR can resolve diagnostic uncertainty (e.g., distinguishing mechanical preload limitation from “refractory” sinus tachycardia in pectus excavatum; differentiating viral vs immune-mediated myocarditis phenotypes; and characterizing persistent post–COVID-19 pediatric myocarditis). Imaging innovation also extends to microstructure and motion handling (diffusion tensor CMR in pediatric cardiomyopathy; free-breathing cine approaches in atrial fibrillation; and AI-enabled dynamic cardiac function quantification), alongside efforts to standardize measurements such as left ventricular thrombus volume and to validate ventricular/flow equivalence assumptions.
A second major theme is immune- and therapy-associated cardiac injury, with several reports emphasizing myocarditis/pericarditis across different triggers: immune checkpoint inhibitor–associated pericarditis, eosinophilic myocarditis after biologic sequencing and steroid withdrawal, and CD3 bispecific (talquetamab)–associated steroid-refractory myocarditis. Complementing these are cancer-therapy cardiotoxicity case reports (including fluoropyrimidine-associated coronary spasm with pericardial features and myopericarditis after combined anthracycline/FLT3 inhibition), underscoring the need for heightened vigilance and multimodality imaging when biomarkers are variable.
Finally, the set reflects a broader push toward risk stratification beyond single traditional metrics—spanning cardiomyopathy genotype/phenotype frameworks (apical HCM, Fabry clustering, LV non-compaction diagnostic pitfalls), amyloidosis detection strategies (including targeted PET/CT trial design and Perugini grade phenotyping), and arrhythmia/sudden death risk (ICD decision-making after STEMI and the role of updated criteria for arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy in athletes). Together, these studies point toward increasingly personalized cardiovascular care driven by quantitative imaging, AI-enabled workflows, and mechanism-informed interpretation.
Cardiac MRI & Advanced Imaging Methods
Pectus Excavatum-Induced Preload Insufficiency Presenting as Long-Standing Sinus Tachycardia.
This case report studied a 65-year-old woman with severe pectus excavatum presenting with long-standing sinus tachycardia despite high-dose beta-blockade. Right heart catheterization showed markedly low filling pressures (mean right atrial pressure 1 mmHg) with preserved cardiac output, and cardiovascular magnetic resonance demonstrated severe pectus excavatum (Haller index 8.1) causing anterior cardiac compression and preload insufficiency. The report highlights that pectus excavatum can mimic refractory inappropriate sinus tachycardia and that hemodynamic assessment with CMR can identify a reversible mechanical cause.
Alkhatib R, Zghyer F, Hatab T et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Diffusion tensor cardiovascular magnetic resonance differentiates pediatric dilated and hypertrophic cardiomyopathies.
This study evaluated diffusion tensor cardiovascular magnetic resonance (DTI) in pediatric patients to differentiate dilated versus hypertrophic cardiomyopathies using quantitative microstructural metrics. The key finding was that DTI-derived apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and fractional anisotropy (FA) differed between the two cardiomyopathy phenotypes, enabling discrimination beyond conventional CMR functional/tissue characterization. This provides a noninvasive imaging approach to probe myocardial microstructure in children and may improve diagnostic classification of pediatric cardiomyopathies.
Juárez JT, Tobón SH, Patrón Chi SA et al. · European journal of radiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Agreement between ventricular stroke volumes and great vessel flow using cine and phase-contrast MRI in healthy subjects.
This study assessed agreement between ventricular stroke volumes derived from cine MRI and great-vessel forward flow measured by phase-contrast MRI in 15 healthy volunteers. The key finding was that there were measurable biases and agreement differences across parameter pairs (e.g., RV stroke volume vs pulmonary artery flow and ascending aorta flow), quantified using Bland–Altman analysis and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). Scientifically, it clarifies the validity limits of using ventricular stroke volume–flow equivalence to infer valvular regurgitation from CMR, informing more accurate quantitative cardiovascular assessments.
Kawaguchi A, Kawaguchi W, Hayashi M et al. · Radiological physics and technology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Free-Breathing Dynamic, Regularized, Adaptive Cluster Optimization (DRACO) Cine Cardiac MRI in Atrial Fibrillation.
This prospective study tested a tailored free-breathing version of Dynamic Regularized Adaptive Cluster Optimization (DRACO) cine cardiac MRI in 30 participants (10 sinus rhythm and 20 with atrial fibrillation) using 3.0T bSSFP ECG-gated segmented cine with real-time sorted golden-step acquisition. The key finding was that the adapted DRACO approach can simultaneously handle cardiac and respiratory motion in atrial fibrillation to produce high-quality, quantifiable cine images without breath-holding. This is clinically significant because reliable free-breathing cine MRI in AF could expand access to accurate cardiac assessment in patients who cannot comply with breath-holds.
Ming Z, Pogosyan A, Dong X et al. · Journal of magnetic resonance imaging : JMRI · (2026) · 1 citations · View on PubMed ↗
PET/MR & Nuclear Imaging for Cardiac Function
Right Ventricular Strain Analysis with PET-derived Feature Tracking: Direct Comparison with Magnetic Resonance using Hybrid PET/MR.
This retrospective study evaluated feasibility of right ventricular (RV) global longitudinal strain quantification using a newly developed 13N ammonia PET feature tracking technique in 123 patients undergoing rest PET/MR, using magnetic resonance (MR) strain as the reference standard. PET-derived RV strain measurements were feasible and showed agreement with MR-based strain, supporting PET feature tracking as a potential alternative for RV functional assessment. This is clinically significant because RV dysfunction is difficult to quantify and PET-based strain could enable more sensitive detection of subtle RV myocardial impairment in routine hybrid PET/MR workflows.
Katahira M, Fukushima K, Ikeda A et al. · Journal of nuclear cardiology : official publication of the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
AI/Deep Learning for Cardiac Diagnosis & Quantification
Analysis of cardiac dynamic global function.
This study proposed and evaluated a systematic AI-enabled framework for analyzing dynamic global cardiac function across the cardiac cycle from cardiac imaging, addressing limitations of conventional end-diastole/end-systole volume and ejection fraction approaches. The key finding was that the authors’ approach enables clinically practical quantification of time-resolved global cardiac dynamics without relying on slow manual segmentation workflows. This provides a standardized pathway for dynamic global function analysis that could improve detection and monitoring of cardiac disease progression using routine imaging data.
Axel L, Kanski M, Jhaveri A et al. · JRSM cardiovascular disease · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Artificial Intelligence for the Detection of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy From Standard Electrocardiogram.
This study evaluated an AI algorithm (Viz HCM, Viz.ai) for detecting hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) from standard 12-lead ECGs in a cohort of 150 patients with suspected HCM who had confirmatory cardiac MRI (cMRI) and 83 controls without cardiomyopathy. The key finding was that the AI could classify ECGs as HCM-positive versus negative with performance sufficient to support earlier detection, and the study also examined predictors of correct classification. Clinically, this suggests a scalable ECG-based screening tool to identify undiagnosed HCM earlier and potentially reduce delays in risk stratification and treatment.
Park J, Kermanshahchi J, Love CJ et al. · JACC. Advances · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Advances in artificial intelligence for the evaluation of mitral regurgitation.
This review summarized current evidence for artificial intelligence approaches across the mitral regurgitation (MR) diagnostic pathway, including upstream screening and advanced multimodality imaging, and discussed future directions for clinical integration. The key finding was that AI-enabled tools such as digital stethoscopes and deep learning ECG models are largely enrichment strategies for early detection and risk stratification rather than fully standalone MR diagnostics. This helps clinicians and researchers understand where AI is most ready for deployment and where additional validation and workflow integration are needed.
Sanchez AA, Sadeghpour A, Asch FM · Current opinion in cardiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Parasitically coupled 16-port massive MIMO antenna for mmWave applications.
This engineering study presents a compact 16-port parasitically coupled massive MIMO antenna for millimeter-wave (mmWave) applications, designed with five triangular parasitic elements plus a feed-line element and impedance matching network. The key finding is that the fabricated antenna resonates at 40 GHz and achieves the intended multiport massive MIMO functionality using a replicated single-element structure with modified ground-plane features. This is significant for mmWave communications because compact, multiport antenna designs can improve spatial multiplexing and system capacity in next-generation wireless systems.
Mishra B, Sharma H, Misra NK et al. · Scientific reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Myocarditis & Immune/Eosinophilic Cardiac Injury
A rare case of fulminant talquetamab-induced myocarditis presenting as a STEMI mimicker.
This case report studied fulminant talquetamab-associated myocarditis in a 69-year-old man with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma. After starting talquetamab (a CD3/GPRC5D bispecific T-cell engager), the patient developed steroid-refractory myocarditis that clinically mimicked an acute STEMI. The report highlights that talquetamab can cause life-threatening immune-mediated myocarditis and that clinicians should consider myocarditis in STEMI-like presentations during CD3 bispecific therapy.
Kim EJ, Saravia SD, Sahni G · Cardio-oncology (London, England) · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Long-term CMR Findings in Pediatric COVID-19 Related Myocarditis.
This retrospective study followed 21 pediatric patients with suspected COVID-19-related myocarditis (including MIS-C) using cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) at early (<30 days), mid (30–364 days), and long-term (≥365 days) intervals. Using the 2009 Lake Louise criteria, it found that while acute myocarditis findings were often favorable, some CMR abnormalities persisted over time in a subset of children (with longitudinal results summarized in the truncated abstract). The significance is that CMR-based follow-up can clarify the durability of myocardial inflammation/injury after pediatric COVID-19-related myocarditis and MIS-C.
Vasquez Choy AL, Adebo DA, Patel MD et al. · Pediatric cardiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Chest Pain With Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy: Harnessing the Power of Multimodality Imaging.
This case report studied a 53-year-old woman with metastatic lung adenocarcinoma receiving the immune checkpoint inhibitor pembrolizumab who developed worsening pleuritic chest pain. Serial chest CT showed progressive pericardial thickening consistent with cardiovascular immune-related adverse events (pericarditis), with elevated inflammatory markers and transaminitis and negative troponin. The case emphasizes that multimodality imaging can uncover underrecognized ICI-associated pericarditis when initial diagnoses such as pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, or malignancy are considered.
Roy R, Liu L, Li H et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Fulminant Eosinophilic Myocarditis After Sequential Biologic Therapy in Ulcerative Colitis.
This case report studied a 35-year-old man with ulcerative colitis and eosinophilia who developed fulminant eosinophilic myocarditis after sequential biologic therapy, most recently vedolizumab, with corticosteroid withdrawal. He rapidly progressed to cardiogenic shock with severe biventricular dysfunction (left ventricular ejection fraction 10%) and hypereosinophilia (2,154/μL), with cardiac MRI suggesting diffuse involvement and endomyocardial biopsy confirming eosinophilic myocarditis. The findings underscore the potential for severe immune/eosinophil-mediated cardiac toxicity after biologic sequencing and steroid tapering, supporting early biopsy and aggressive hemodynamic support.
Lee J, Kim D, Hong D et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Clinical and Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Phenotype of Probable Viral versus Probable Immune-mediated Acute Myocarditis.
This study enrolled patients referred for cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) to compare clinically defined probable viral myocarditis (pVM) versus probable immune-mediated myocarditis (pIM) using CMR phenotype and prognosis. The key finding was that pVM and pIM differed in CMR characteristics and clinical course, despite both being “probable” diagnoses without routine biopsy in practice. Scientifically, it supports using CMR phenotype to help stratify myocarditis etiology and potentially guide management when endomyocardial biopsy is not routinely performed.
Bernhard B, Fabian E, Stoyanov K et al. · European journal of heart failure · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Loeffler Endocarditis: Multimodality Imaging of a Common Cardiac Phenotype in Distinct Hypereosinophilic Syndromes.
This case report described Loeffler endocarditis as a multimodality imaging phenotype in distinct hypereosinophilic syndromes, using echocardiography and cardiac MRI to characterize intracardiac thrombi and fibrosis. The key finding was that cardiac MRI demonstrated diffuse subendocardial late gadolinium enhancement consistent with fibrotic-stage disease, alongside apical thrombi seen on echocardiography, and that high-dose corticosteroids rapidly improved eosinophilia. Clinically, it emphasizes that early multimodality imaging recognition of Loeffler endocarditis can expedite targeted immunosuppression and anticoagulation to reduce morbidity.
Salar T, Feitell S, Parikh V et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Cardiotoxicity from Cancer Therapies
L1CAM signaling through planar cell polarity drives SOX2 expression and lung adenocarcinoma metastasis.
This Nature Communications study investigated how L1CAM signaling regulates SOX2 expression and promotes metastasis in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). It found that L1CAM is expressed at the invasive front and in distant micrometastases and that L1CAM signaling through planar cell polarity drives the emergence/maintenance of SOX2+ metastatic progenitor states. The significance is that targeting the L1CAM–planar cell polarity–SOX2 axis could represent a therapeutic strategy to suppress metastatic progenitors in LUAD.
Park JS, Kaygusuz Y, Kenum C et al. · Nature communications · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Sudden Death in Young Competitive Athletes Due to Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy: A 4-Decade National Referral Center Experience.
This national referral-center registry study examined the prevalence and characteristics of arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) among young competitive athletes (≤40 years) who died suddenly, using the North-East Italy juvenile SCD registry spanning 1985–2024 and applying 1994/2010 diagnostic criteria. ACM accounted for 29% of athlete sudden cardiac deaths, with cases analyzed using clinical and pathology data. Scientifically, the results underscore ACM’s substantial contribution to athletic sudden death and support the value of updated screening and diagnostic criteria.
De Gaspari M, Pilichou K, Zorzi A et al. · Circulation. Arrhythmia and electrophysiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Outcomes From the Multicenter ACCRU-LY-1804/CARiBOU TRIAL (Cytarabine, Acalabrutinib and Rituximab Integrated With Bortezomib-Based Outpatient Therapy) in 1st Line Mantle Cell Lymphoma.
This phase 2 multicenter ACCRU-LY-1804/CARiBOU trial studied a first-line mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) regimen combining cytarabine and acalabrutinib with rituximab integrated into bortezomib-based outpatient therapy (alternating VR-CAP and R-cytarabine with continuous acalabrutinib across six 21-day cycles). The key finding was the trial’s reported complete metabolic response (CMR) rate and associated safety/feasibility outcomes, including progression-free and overall survival measures. Clinically, this regimen is significant because it targets durable responses in previously untreated MCL while assessing whether it can be delivered feasibly in outpatient practice.
Smith SD, Sundaram S, Giri S et al. · American journal of hematology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Myopericarditis After Combined Idarubicin and Quizartinib in FLT3-ITD-Positive AML.
This JACC Case Reports report described a 64-year-old man with FLT3-ITD–positive acute myeloid leukemia who developed myopericarditis after sequential idarubicin (anthracycline) and quizartinib (FLT3 inhibitor). The key finding was that the patient developed fever, hypotension, troponin I elevation, and diffuse ST-segment elevation after quizartinib, with cardiac magnetic resonance imaging showing late gadolinium enhancement consistent with myopericarditis. The clinical significance is that combining anthracycline exposure with FLT3 inhibition may increase risk of inflammatory cardiac injury, warranting close cardiac monitoring in this population.
Spahr ZR, Vasquez MA, Tangella A et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · 1 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Fluoropyrimidine Cardiotoxicity With Overlapping Vasospastic and Pericardial Features: A Diagnostic Challenge.
This case report evaluated fluoropyrimidine cardiotoxicity in a 57-year-old man with HER2-positive gastric cancer receiving FOLFOX-6M plus trastuzumab, focusing on overlapping vasospastic and pericardial features after 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) infusion. The key finding was severe chest pain with ECG changes and QTc prolongation during 5-FU infusion, followed by new concave ST-segment elevation, despite initially negative biomarkers and normal echocardiography/coronary CT angiography. The clinical significance is that fluoropyrimidine-induced coronary spasm and inflammatory pericardial involvement can coexist and may present diagnostically challenging, biomarker-variable patterns.
Viñas-Mendieta AE, Valencia-Hernandez HA, Ruiz-Mori E et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · 1 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Cardiac Amyloidosis & Targeted Tracers
Multimodality imaging characterization of Perugini scintigraphic grades in transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy: a single-center experience.
This single-center retrospective study assessed multimodality imaging in patients with transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM) across Perugini scintigraphic grades using technetium-99m pyrophosphate (99mTc-PYP) scintigraphy. The key finding was that Perugini grades 2 and 3—both considered diagnostic—showed differences in clinical and multimodality imaging characteristics within the cohort. The results suggest that Perugini grade may carry phenotypic information relevant to risk stratification and characterization of ATTR-CM.
Bucius P, Zarambaite E, Lusaite K et al. · Journal of cardiovascular imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Design and Rationale of the REVEAL PET Study: A Study of 124I-evuzamitide to Diagnose Cardiac Amyloidosis.
The REVEAL PET study design describes a multicenter phase 3, open-label, single-arm trial enrolling adults with suspected cardiac amyloidosis to test 124I-evuzamitide PET/CT for detection of cardiac amyloidosis (CA). The key design rationale is that 124I-evuzamitide is a fibril-targeting radiotracer binding hypersulfated heparan sulfate glycans across amyloid subtypes, and the trial will evaluate diagnostic performance in patients undergoing CA workup. Scientifically and clinically, this trial aims to establish whether this targeted PET/CT approach can improve noninvasive diagnosis of CA compared with existing diagnostic pathways.
Dorbala S, Maurer MS, Cuddy SAM et al. · Journal of nuclear cardiology : official publication of the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Cardiomyopathies & Genetic/Phenotype Stratification
Left ventricular non-compaction in heart failure: contemporary perspective on diagnostic challenges and treatment opportunities.
This narrative review studied the diagnostic and treatment challenges of left ventricular non-compaction (LVNC) in the context of left ventricular hypertrabeculation (LVHT) and heart failure. It found that distinguishing true cardiomyopathic LVNC from adaptive hypertrabeculation is clinically critical and is complicated by overlapping imaging phenotypes, evolving genetic background evidence, and variable imaging criteria. The review’s significance is that it frames how modern imaging and genetics should guide risk stratification and avoid misclassification that could lead to unnecessary interventions or missed high-risk patients.
Geavlete O, Tschöpe C, Angermann CE et al. · Heart failure reviews · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Multimodal phenotypic clustering predicts cardiac outcomes in Fabry disease.
This study developed and tested a multimodal phenotypic clustering framework to predict cardiac outcomes in Fabry disease using sex, genetics, clinical assessments, ECG, imaging, and biomarkers across 98 participants (525 “visit years”). The key finding was that integrating multiple modalities into a unified clustering model improved prediction of adverse cardiovascular outcomes compared with relying on single assessments. Clinically, the approach supports more accurate longitudinal risk stratification in Fabry cardiomyopathy and may guide monitoring intensity and therapeutic decisions.
Shemesh E, Feigin P, Tan CY et al. · Orphanet journal of rare diseases · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Phenotype, genotype and prognosis of Apical Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathies: A French multicentric cohort.
This French multicenter cohort study evaluated phenotype, genotype, and prognosis in 201 patients with apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (ApHCM) compared with 419 patients with non-apical HCM, after excluding patients with Fabry disease and amyloidosis. The key finding was that ApHCM had distinct clinical and genetic features and a different prognostic profile relative to non-apical HCM, as assessed using echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance, genetic testing, and follow-up. The study clarifies the natural history of ApHCM and supports genotype-informed and phenotype-specific prognostication in clinical practice.
Martel H, Lucas C, Benjelloun H et al. · European heart journal. Cardiovascular Imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
AAVrh.10hFXN Gene Therapy for the Cardiomyopathy of Friedreich Ataxia: A Nonrandomized Clinical Trial.
This nonrandomized clinical trial studied systemic AAVrh.10hFXN gene therapy (AAVrh.10 serotype vector delivering the normal human FXN coding sequence) in adults with Friedreich ataxia (FA) cardiomyopathy. The study reports preliminary safety and efficacy signals consistent with cardiomyopathy improvement after FXN gene delivery. These findings are clinically significant because they support a targeted, gene-replacement approach for FXN-deficient FA patients with progressive, fatal cardiac disease.
Crystal RG, Weinsaft JW, Kaminsky SM et al. · JAMA cardiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Left Atrial Reservoir Strain for Predicting Progression to End-Stage in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.
This study evaluated whether left atrial reservoir strain measured by echocardiography can predict progression to end-stage hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) in a large HCM cohort, with a CMR subcohort for additional characterization. The key finding was that left atrial reservoir strain was associated with subsequent progression to end-stage HCM (LVEF <50% without reversible causes) over a median follow-up of 6.5 years. Clinically, this supports using left atrial functional strain as a prognostic marker to identify patients at higher risk for deterioration and guide closer management.
Kwak S, Jeong MH, Park CS et al. · European heart journal. Cardiovascular Imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Heart Failure Prognosis with CMR Biomarkers
Myocardial fibrosis is associated with worse left ventricular strain and synchrony assessed by novel CMR imaging in the general population: data from the Akershus Cardiac examination 1950 study.
This population-based study used advanced cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) in 200 elderly participants from the Akershus Cardiac Examination 1950 cohort to relate myocardial fibrosis to left ventricular strain and mechanical synchrony. Diffuse fibrosis quantified by septal extracellular volume (ECV) and focal fibrosis by late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) were associated with worse LV global longitudinal/circumferential strain and increased mechanical dispersion measured with CMR feature tracking (CMR-FT). The significance is that CMR fibrosis markers provide prognostically relevant information about subclinical mechanical dysfunction even in a general population without known coronary artery disease.
Wimalanathan T, Sulkowska J, Melles AW et al. · The international journal of cardiovascular imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Incremental Prognostic Impact of Quantitative Perfusion CMR and T1 Mapping in Patients with Heart Failure.
This prospective cohort study evaluated patients with heart failure referred for CMR to determine the incremental prognostic value of combining quantitative myocardial perfusion metrics with diffuse fibrosis measures. It assessed stress/rest myocardial blood flow and perfusion reserve (MPR) alongside diffuse fibrosis (via T1 mapping) and found that adding quantitative perfusion and T1-based fibrosis information improved prognostic stratification beyond either component alone (full statistical details truncated). Clinically, the study supports using combined perfusion CMR and T1 mapping to better predict outcomes in HF patients.
Takafuji M, Sia CH, Anderton T et al. · Journal of cardiovascular magnetic resonance : official journal of the Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Association of Subclinical Cardiac Remodeling With Incident Cancer in the MESA Cohort.
This study used cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) measures of subclinical cardiac remodeling in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) cohort to test whether these remodeling features predict incident cancer. The key finding was that specific CMR-derived remodeling metrics were associated with future cancer occurrence in multivariable Cox proportional hazards models. Scientifically, it links early, imaging-detectable cardiac changes to cancer risk, suggesting shared pathophysiology and enabling risk stratification beyond traditional cardiovascular disease markers.
Cai X, White Q, Juarez J et al. · Journal of the American Heart Association · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Thrombus, Embolism & Post-MI Remodeling
Giant Postischemic Left Ventricular Aneurysm Without Q Waves: Multimodality Imaging-Guided Surgery.
This JACC Case Reports article described a 55-year-old woman with inferolateral myocardial infarction who developed a giant postischemic left ventricular aneurysm without pathological Q waves, using multimodality imaging to guide surgery. The key finding was that serial electrocardiograms lacked Q waves, but multimodality imaging demonstrated progressive left ventricular remodeling with aneurysmal evolution and mural thrombus formation, enabling successful surgical management. Scientifically and clinically, it highlights that nonanterior aneurysms can be missed by ECG alone and that imaging-guided evaluation is crucial for timely intervention.
Gaido L, Attisani M, Scalini F et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
A simplified geometric CMR method for reproducible quantification of left ventricular thrombus volume : Left Ventricular thrombus: a standardized measurement method.
This post-hoc analysis assessed a simplified geometric cardiac MRI (CMR) method for reproducible quantification of left ventricular thrombus (LVT) volume in patients from the COVERT-MI trial who underwent CMR 5 days after reperfusion for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. The key finding was that the simplified geometric approach was feasible and demonstrated reproducibility for standardized LVT volume measurement. This is significant because standardized, reproducible LVT quantification can improve consistency across studies and may help clarify how thrombus characteristics relate to clinical evolution and embolic risk.
Fuzeau A, Angoulvant D, Pucheux J et al. · The international journal of cardiovascular imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Arrhythmias & Sudden Cardiac Death Risk
Occult Idiopathic Ventricular Fibrillation After Preoperative Cardiovascular Evaluation.
This case report studied a 50-year-old man who experienced out-of-hospital ventricular fibrillation about 1 hour after preoperative cardiovascular clearance for elective surgery. Despite comprehensive evaluation—including coronary angiography, cardiac magnetic resonance, electrophysiological study, and genetic testing—no structural heart disease or inherited arrhythmia syndrome was identified, and a dual-chamber implantable cardioverter-defibrillator was implanted. The report highlights that “idiopathic” ventricular fibrillation can present perioperatively even after negative workup, supporting vigilance and consideration of ICD therapy after unexplained arrest.
Ganthan RR, Isber R, Elcicek A et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
CMR Detected Atrial Structural and Functional Remodeling in AF HFrEF: Ablation vs Medical Rate Control.
This study compared cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR)–detected atrial structural and functional remodeling in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) randomized to catheter ablation (CA) versus medical rate control (MRC) within the CAMERA-MRI and CAMERA-MRI II cohorts. The key finding was that CMR measures of biatrial remodeling and contractile function differed between CA and MRC strategies, alongside assessment of exercise capacity. The clinical significance is that CMR-defined atrial functional remodeling may help determine which rhythm-control approach better preserves atrial mechanics in AF-HFrEF patients.
Cho KK, Segan L, Kistler PM et al. · JACC. Clinical electrophysiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
A Narrative Review of Risk Assessment Approaches for Implantable Defibrillator Therapy to Prevent Sudden Cardiac Death in Acute Myocardial Infarction.
This narrative review evaluates risk assessment approaches for implantable defibrillator (ICD) therapy to prevent sudden cardiac death in acute myocardial infarction, contrasting traditional left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF)-based strategies with emerging multimodal risk models. The key finding is that LVEF has limited sensitivity and specificity, motivating broader risk stratification using additional clinical and advanced cardiac magnetic resonance–based modalities. This is clinically significant because improved risk prediction could better identify patients who benefit from ICD therapy after STEMI while reducing unnecessary implantation.
Kakavand N, Shojaei Y, Sadri M et al. · Cardiology research and practice · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Valvular Disease Quantification (Mitral Regurgitation)
Quantification of mitral regurgitation: from traditional methods to artificial intelligence.
This review summarizes how mitral regurgitation (MR) quantification has evolved from traditional echocardiographic geometric, single-frame methods to machine-learning approaches that analyze regurgitant flow throughout systole. The key finding is that AI-based MR quantification can better handle eccentric, multiple, and non-holosystolic jets by accounting for jet morphology and non-hemispheric orifice area, with favorable agreement versus cardiac magnetic resonance. This is significant because more accurate MR quantification can improve risk stratification and management decisions in patients with complex MR.
Cho K, Su J, Bonnefous O et al. · Cardiovascular ultrasound · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Congenital Heart Disease Imaging & Surgical Outcomes
Intraoperative Cardiac Events During Pediatric Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging Under Anesthesia: A Retrospective Cohort Study.
This retrospective cohort study examined pediatric patients (≤18 years) with congenital heart disease undergoing cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) under anesthesia to quantify intraoperative cardiac events and predictors. Using a recently proposed composite framework for intraoperative cardiovascular instability, the study determined the incidence of perioperative cardiovascular instability during non-surgical cardiac MRI and identified associated predictors (details truncated in the abstract). Scientifically and clinically, the findings support better perioperative risk monitoring and planning for children undergoing anesthetized CMR.
Wingert T, Liang J, Feldman K et al. · Paediatric anaesthesia · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Shape and flow characterization of the pulmonary arteries after the LeCompte maneuver.
This retrospective single-center cohort study used statistical shape modeling (SSM) and 4D flow cardiac magnetic resonance to characterize pulmonary artery (PA) geometry and flow after the LeCompte maneuver in patients with transposition of the great arteries (TGA) following arterial switch operation (ASO). The key finding was that PA shape and flow patterns could be quantified and related to post-surgical geometry in TGA patients, compared with age/size-matched controls with structurally normal hearts. Scientifically, the work is significant because it provides quantitative imaging biomarkers of PA remodeling that may improve understanding and follow-up of congenital heart surgery outcomes.
Bunag JE, Casto T, Phan TT et al. · JRSM cardiovascular disease · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Filling the Gaps: Generating 4D Dense Cardiac Anatomy from Sparse CMR for Enhanced Tetralogy of Fallot Assessment.
This work developed and validated a deep learning pipeline to generate 4D dense four-chamber cardiac anatomy from sparse, anisotropic 2D cine CMR slices for repaired tetralogy of Fallot (rToF), using CT-derived isotropic whole-heart segmentations to train the model. The key finding was that the model can reconstruct comprehensive dense 3D anatomy from CMR-like sparse inputs, reducing inter-slice inconsistencies and motion/acquisition artifacts that limit standard CMR. Clinically, this bridges CMR accessibility with CT-like spatial detail to enhance rToF assessment and potentially improve surgical/longitudinal decision-making.
Mauger C, Deng Y, Xu Y et al. · Journal of cardiovascular magnetic resonance : official journal of the Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Pulmonary Valve & Right Ventricular Outflow Tract Interventions
Prospective Midterm Outcomes of the PULSTA Self-Expandable Transcatheter Pulmonary Valve: The PULSTA CE Approval Study.
This prospective multicenter study evaluated the PULSTA self-expandable transcatheter pulmonary valve (PULSTA Carpentier Edwards) in 58 patients across 11 centers in 6 countries with right ventricular outflow tract dysfunction. The key findings (midterm safety, hemodynamic performance, and durability) support that the device achieved procedural success with acceptable midterm outcomes in this nonrandomized CE approval cohort. Clinically, the study supports a less repeat-surgery–prone alternative to surgical pulmonary valve replacement for a broad range of native and repaired right ventricular outflow tract anatomies.
Lee SY, Kim GB, Carminati M et al. · Circulation. Cardiovascular interventions · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Pericardial Disease & Constrictive Physiology
ECMO-Supported Pericardiectomy in Constrictive Tuberculous Pericarditis With Severe Ventricular Dysfunction.
This JACC Case Reports article studied a 20-year-old man with constrictive tuberculous pericarditis complicated by severe biventricular systolic dysfunction (LVEF <15%) who underwent ECMO-supported radical pericardiectomy. After deterioration despite empirical antituberculosis therapy and heart failure management, he required veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) to support cardiogenic shock around the time of surgery. The case is significant because it demonstrates a potential lifesaving strategy—ECMO bridging—for extreme ventricular failure in constrictive tuberculous pericarditis when conventional management is insufficient.
Elmorshidy M, Helal A, El-Din M et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Systemic/Inflammatory Disease Links to Cardiac Involvement
Primary heart involvement assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance is associated with capillaroscopy abnormalities in systemic sclerosis.
This cross-sectional study evaluated systemic sclerosis patients (n=40) to test whether primary heart involvement assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) after a cold stress protocol relates to peripheral microvascular vasculopathy measured by nailfold capillaroscopy. The key finding was that CMR-defined SSc heart involvement was associated with capillaroscopy abnormalities, supporting a link between cardiac microvascular dysfunction and systemic peripheral vasculopathy. Clinically, CMR may help identify SSc patients at higher risk of cardiac involvement by reflecting systemic microvascular disease.
Martins L, Uellendahl M, Ferreira G et al. · Advances in rheumatology (London, England) · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Outcomes in laparoscopic versus robotic-assisted surgery for median arcuate ligament syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
This systematic review and meta-analysis compared outcomes of robotic median arcuate ligament release (RMALR) versus laparoscopic median arcuate ligament release (LMALR) in adult patients with median arcuate ligament syndrome. The key finding was that the pooled perioperative and postoperative outcomes across included comparative studies did not show a clear overall superiority of one approach over the other (with outcomes summarized across conversion, operative metrics, and follow-up endpoints). The results inform surgical decision-making for a rare vascular compression syndrome by synthesizing comparative evidence on robotic versus laparoscopic techniques.
Arabi Z, Geropoulos G, Jayawardena P et al. · Journal of robotic surgery · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Benralizumab as a steroid-sparing rescue therapy in ANCA-negative eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis: real-world experience from three cases and review of the literature.
This real-world case series and literature review evaluated benralizumab, an anti–IL-5 receptor monoclonal antibody that depletes eosinophils, as steroid-sparing rescue therapy in three patients with ANCA-negative eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA). The key finding was that benralizumab was associated with improved disease control and reduced glucocorticoid dependence in these severe EGPA cases, alongside characteristic eosinophil kinetics. The clinical significance is that IL-5R–targeted therapy may offer an effective rescue option for refractory or steroid-dependent ANCA-negative EGPA patients.
Sebastian A, Kosałka-Węgiel J, Puchala M et al. · Rheumatology international · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Rapid Onset of Iron Overload Cardiomyopathy in Cirrhosis.
This JACC Case Reports report described two patients with cirrhosis who developed iron overload cardiomyopathy (IOC) without hereditary hemochromatosis or transfusion-dependent anemia. The key finding was rapid development of severe cardiomyopathy (e.g., markedly reduced left ventricular ejection fraction) temporally associated with iron overload in the setting of cirrhosis. Clinically, it is significant because it expands the differential diagnosis of heart failure in cirrhosis to include IOC and suggests that iron-related mechanisms may drive cardiomyopathy even without classic genetic or transfusion causes.
Nouraee CM, Swain WH, Harmon DM et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Size-resolved microelectrical effects of fine aerosol on nocturnal ozone: Evidence from field observations and statistical modeling.
This study investigated how aerosol particle electrical properties—specifically particle charge-to-mass ratio (CMR)—relate to nocturnal ozone (O3) enhancement under stable nighttime conditions using field observations in Xi’an (2023–2025) and statistical modeling. The key finding was that particle electrical characteristics were significantly associated with nocturnal O3 variations even after accounting for meteorological transport, supported by generalized additive models (GAM), partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM), and an interfacial contribution model. Scientifically, it implicates aerosol electrochemical effects as a previously underappreciated driver of nighttime O3 chemistry, improving mechanistic understanding of abnormal nocturnal O3.
Wang Y, Zhang L, Li J et al. · Environmental research · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Metabolic and Redox Pathway Dysregulation in HIV-Associated Coronary Endothelial Dysfunction.
This prospective observational study examined whether coronary endothelial dysfunction in virally suppressed people with HIV (PWH) is associated with circulating proteomic signatures reflecting metabolic and redox pathway dysregulation, integrating in vivo stress cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) with high-throughput serum proteomics. The key finding was that endothelial dysfunction in treated, virally suppressed PWH correlated with specific proteomic patterns consistent with metabolic and redox pathway dysregulation. This provides mechanistic biomarker leads that may explain persistent cardiovascular risk despite antiretroviral therapy and could guide targeted prevention strategies.
Keole KS, Bukhari S, Minhas A et al. · American journal of physiology. Heart and circulatory physiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Lymphatic endothelial cells actively shape immune responses in the lungs.
This 2026 review summarizes experimental evidence on how pulmonary lymphatic endothelial cells actively shape immune responses in the lungs, including mechanisms such as PAR1-mediated permeabilization of lymphatic junctions. The key finding is that specialized lung lymphatic endothelial cells regulate acute inflammation, modulate adaptive immunity, and influence tissue remodeling through active, organ-specific signaling and barrier control. This is significant because it identifies mechanistic targets within the lymphatic endothelium that could be leveraged to treat inflammatory lung diseases and to better understand immune regulation in pulmonary pathology.
Rivers AK, Migues Ramirez C, Cleary SJ · Current opinion in immunology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Current landscape of paediatric and young adult cardio-oncology care in Latin America.
This cross-sectional survey characterized the current landscape of pediatric and adolescent cardio-oncology care across Latin America, focusing on workforce training, clinical infrastructure, diagnostic resources, follow-up strategies, and research capacity. The key finding was that implementation and resources for cardio-oncology services vary across the region and remain incompletely characterized, indicating gaps in diagnostic and follow-up capabilities. This is clinically significant because mapping these deficiencies can guide targeted capacity-building to improve cardiovascular outcomes for childhood cancer survivors.
Stelmaszewski EV, Biancolini J, Gonzalez Ortiz A et al. · Cardiology in the young · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Hydroxychloroquine-associated cardiomyopathy with nondiagnostic noninvasive evaluation: diagnostic value of endomyocardial biopsy in a case-based review.
This case-based review describes hydroxychloroquine (HCQ)-associated cardiomyopathy in a 57-year-old woman with Sjögren’s disease who had nondiagnostic noninvasive evaluation and underwent endomyocardial biopsy for diagnostic clarification. The key finding is that endomyocardial biopsy provided diagnostic value when standard noninvasive tests failed to establish the cause of cardiomyopathy in a patient with long-term HCQ exposure (400 mg/day for ~21 years). This is significant because it supports biopsy as a diagnostic escalation step for suspected HCQ cardiotoxicity when noninvasive evaluation is inconclusive.
Alkhatib A, Al-Kofahi M, Abumuhfouz M et al. · Rheumatology international · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Generated automatically on June 21, 2026. Covers PubMed articles published June 14, 2026 – June 21, 2026. Summaries are AI-generated; always consult the original publication for clinical or research decisions.