What's New in Cardiac MRI? — June 25, 2026
AI-summarised digest of 59 PubMed articles on Cardiac MRI published in the last 7 days.
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What’s New in Cardiac MRI?
June 25, 2026 · 59 articles · 15 research themes · covering June 18, 2026 – June 25, 2026
Overview
This week’s cardiovascular papers converge on a shared direction: using multimodal, quantitative imaging (especially CMR) to better phenotype disease, refine prognosis, and standardize care. Several studies emphasize tissue- and structure-based biomarkers—such as fibrosis (ECV/LGE), epicardial adipose tissue, and advanced hemodynamic coupling metrics (e.g., RV–PA coupling, 4D flow)—to move beyond “one-size-fits-all” risk assessment. Complementing this, multiple cohorts and consensus statements highlight the value of structured imaging workflows: combining perfusion and T1 mapping for heart-failure risk, using stress CMR in hypertension, and applying standardized interpretation frameworks in athletes to distinguish physiologic adaptation from pathology.
A second dominant theme is immune and inflammatory cardiac injury, particularly myocarditis and pericardial disease, where timely recognition is critical. Case reports and cohort work show that immune checkpoint inhibitor–associated myocarditis/pericarditis can present variably and may occur early after therapy initiation, while CMR-based phenotyping can help distinguish viral from immune-mediated myocarditis when biopsy is not routine. Pericardial disease papers further stress scenario-based pathways, including rare but high-stakes surgical management (e.g., tuberculous constrictive pericarditis).
Finally, the digest includes translational and methodological advances aimed at making imaging more reliable and scalable: AI tools for automated cine report structuring and cross-scanner strain quantification, concept-aware segmentation for myocardial pathology, and acquisition/protocol studies that improve reproducibility (e.g., pulmonary artery reference measurements, T2* spatial resolution effects). Together, these efforts suggest a field moving toward more consistent, data-driven cardiovascular diagnostics—linking mechanistic understanding to practical clinical decision support.
Cancer metastasis and tumor biology
Meta-analysis of survival by phased-variant ctDNA and PET response in large B-cell lymphoma.
This meta-analysis synthesized evidence from three studies (367 patients) evaluating end-of-treatment measurable residual disease (MRD) detected by phased-variant circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) alongside positron emission tomography (PET) response in large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL) treated with curative-intent frontline therapy. Across analyses, undetectable ctDNA MRD versus detectable MRD strongly stratified progression-free survival (PFS), including within PET complete metabolic response (CMR) subgroups. The results support phased-variant ctDNA as a highly sensitive MRD tool that can refine PET-based response assessment and identify patients at high relapse risk despite PET CMR.
Gordon MJ, Choo-Wosoba H, Ozcan G et al. · Blood advances · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
L1CAM signaling through planar cell polarity drives SOX2 expression and lung adenocarcinoma metastasis.
The study investigated how L1CAM signaling via planar cell polarity regulates SOX2 expression and metastatic progenitor emergence in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) cells at the invasive front and in distant metastases. L1CAM was found to promote the generation/maintenance of SOX2+ metastatic LUAD progenitors, linking cell adhesion/planar polarity signaling to a fetal-like regenerative state. This mechanistic insight suggests L1CAM–planar cell polarity–SOX2 signaling as a potential therapeutic target to limit LUAD metastasis by blocking metastatic progenitor plasticity.
Park JS, Kaygusuz Y, Kenum C et al. · Nature communications · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Cardiac immune-related adverse events and myocarditis
Single-Port Robotic Transanal Minimally Invasive Surgery for Rectal Cancer: A Novel Approach With FishBowl-Early Case Series.
This early case series studied single-port robotic transanal minimally invasive surgery (SP-TAMIS) using the da Vinci SP platform in patients with rectal cancer undergoing organ-preservation approaches after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. The key finding was feasibility of the novel SP-TAMIS approach despite known adoption limits related to docking constraints in confined pelvic space. Scientifically and clinically, it supports further evaluation of robotic SP-TAMIS as a minimally invasive option to achieve complete/major clinical response (cCR/cMR) and potentially complement Watch-and-Wait strategies with low morbidity.
Mellano A, Pellegrino L, Salomone S et al. · Surgical laparoscopy, endoscopy & percutaneous techniques · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Chest Pain With Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy: Harnessing the Power of Multimodality Imaging.
This JACC Case Reports article described a 53-year-old woman with metastatic lung adenocarcinoma receiving the immune checkpoint inhibitor pembrolizumab who developed chest pain due to a cardiovascular immune-related adverse event. Multimodality imaging showed progressive pericardial thickening on serial chest CT in the setting of inflammatory marker elevation, consistent with immune-related pericarditis. The clinical significance is that ICI-associated pericarditis can present as chest pain and may be underrecognized, so multimodality imaging can expedite diagnosis and management.
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 investigated fulminant eosinophilic myocarditis in a 35-year-old man with ulcerative colitis after sequential biologic therapy, most recently vedolizumab, and corticosteroid withdrawal. The patient developed cardiogenic shock with severe biventricular dysfunction (LVEF ~10%) and marked hypereosinophilia, and endomyocardial biopsy confirmed eosinophilic myocarditis with cardiac magnetic resonance suggesting diffuse involvement. The significance is that sequential biologic exposure and steroid withdrawal may precipitate life-threatening eosinophilic myocarditis, underscoring the need for rapid recognition and aggressive treatment in high-risk IBD patients.
Lee J, Kim D, Hong D et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Myocarditis phenotyping (viral vs immune-mediated)
Long-term CMR Findings in Pediatric COVID-19 Related Myocarditis.
This retrospective cohort study assessed long-term cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) findings in 21 pediatric patients with suspected COVID-19–related myocarditis, using the 2009 Lake Louise criteria and imaging timepoints at early (<30 days), mid (30–364 days), and long-term (≥365 days). The study found that CMR abnormalities associated with myocarditis can persist beyond the acute phase, with measurable changes across follow-up intervals. Scientifically and clinically, it clarifies the natural history of pediatric COVID-19/MIS-C myocarditis and supports CMR-based monitoring for longer-term cardiac involvement.
Vasquez Choy AL, Adebo DA, Patel MD et al. · Pediatric cardiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Clinical and Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Phenotype of Probable Viral versus Probable Immune-mediated Acute Myocarditis.
This study compared clinical presentation, cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) phenotype, and prognosis between clinically defined probable viral myocarditis (pVM) and probable immune-mediated myocarditis (pIM) in patients referred for CMR. pVM was defined as myocarditis within 14 days of a documented infection, while pIM was defined as acute myocarditis in patients with known systemic autoimmune disease, and the study assessed whether these groups differ in CMR features and outcomes. The significance is that CMR phenotyping may help distinguish viral versus immune-mediated acute myocarditis when endomyocardial biopsy is not routinely performed.
Bernhard B, Fabian E, Stoyanov K et al. · European journal of heart failure · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Pericardial disease (diagnosis, pathways, surgical management)
A forgotten cause of chest pain in the United States: a case report on acute rheumatic fever.
This U.S.-focused case report highlighted acute rheumatic fever (ARF) as an under-recognized cause of chest pain, describing a young man with suspected ARF following Group A Streptococcus (GAS) infection. The authors emphasized that, even though ARF is rare in the United States and diagnosis relies on the revised Jones criteria including serologic evidence of GAS, clinicians may misinterpret or delay cardiac imaging and serology when ARF is not on the differential. The clinical significance is improved awareness of ARF to enable timely diagnosis and management of immune-mediated cardiac complications.
Miller JA, Kim R, Kadiyala M et al. · Journal of medical case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Pathway for the Diagnosis and Management of Pericardial Disease: Contemporary Perspective.
This contemporary perspective article proposes a pathway-based diagnostic and management framework for pericardial disease across clinical scenarios including acute pericarditis, pericardial effusion/tamponade, effusive-constrictive pericarditis, and constrictive pericarditis. It highlights how recent European Society of Cardiology and American College of Cardiology guidance—incorporating improved clinical phenotyping, multimodal imaging, and targeted immunomodulatory therapies—can be operationalized in practice. A structured pathway approach is intended to standardize care and improve timely, scenario-specific treatment decisions for pericardial disorders.
Sivalokanathan S, Herzog E, Haider SW et al. · Critical pathways in cardiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
The Challenge of Differentiating Mixed Histiocytosis: A Case Report.
This case report described diagnostic challenges in differentiating mixed histiocytosis, presenting a patient diagnosed with both Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) and Erdheim-Chester disease (ECD) over 7 years. The key finding was that multisystem involvement (including initial LCH diagnosis via mastoid bone biopsy and later development of a large pericardial effusion) complicated classification between overlapping histiocytic disorders. Clinically, it underscores the need for longitudinal evaluation and careful differential diagnosis when histiocytosis phenotypes overlap.
Harris L, Arnolda R, Ogburn D et al. · Case reports in hematology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
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 radical pericardiectomy with extracorporeal support. The key finding was that postoperative cardiogenic shock required veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) to stabilize the patient after surgery. Clinically, it highlights ECMO-supported surgical management as a potential lifesaving strategy for rare cases of tuberculous constrictive pericarditis with profound ventricular failure.
Elmorshidy M, Helal A, El-Din M et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) acquisition, standardization, and reference protocols
Performance of Free-Running Cardiac and Respiratory Motion-Resolved Whole-Heart 5D MRI in Congenital Heart Disease Patients Using a Gadolinium Enhanced Fast-Interrupted Steady-State Sequence.
This retrospective study compared gadolinium-enhanced free-running whole-heart 5D MRI (5D FISS) at 1.5 T with conventional 2D bSSFP cine and 3D bSSFP in 45 congenital heart disease (CHD) patients. The key finding was that 5D FISS provided comparable left and right ventricular end-diastolic/end-systolic volumes and ejection fractions to 2D/3D methods while improving motion resolution and image quality in this CHD population. Clinically, this supports gadolinium-enhanced 5D MRI as a practical alternative for more robust ventricular quantification in CHD patients where motion and timing can limit standard cine acquisitions.
Roy CW, Vogeli E, Megalo A et al. · Journal of magnetic resonance imaging : JMRI · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Diagnostic accuracy of fetal cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in cardiac and thoracic vascular anomalies: a meta-analysis.
This meta-analysis evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of fetal cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (FCMRI) for detecting cardiac and thoracic vascular anomalies compared with fetal echocardiography limitations. Across included observational studies, the key finding was that FCMRI can provide additional diagnostic value—particularly for complex lesions, thoracic vascular anomalies, late gestation, and cases with poor acoustic windows—supporting more reliable prenatal detection. This is significant for prenatal decision-making because it quantifies how well FCMRI performs as a complementary imaging modality when fetal echocardiography is insufficient.
Bhargavi C, Shenoy RD, Rassaf A et al. · BMC medical imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Influence of Sb-doping on structural, optical and UV photodetector properties of CdS thin films.
This study assessed how spatial resolution affects the ability of T2* cardiac MRI to detect chronic myocardial iron remnants after hemorrhagic myocardial infarction (hMI) using digital phantom simulations and ex vivo swine hearts (n=10) imaged 8 weeks post-hMI. The key finding was that detection performance of iron deposits depends strongly on voxel size and slice thickness, with coarser spatial resolution reducing sensitivity/accuracy across SNR levels. Scientifically, this informs optimal T2* acquisition parameters to reliably quantify chronic iron burden after hMI, which is important for risk stratification and research consistency.
Murahari P, Alagarasan D, Hegde SS et al. · Scientific reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Spindle Cell Cardiac Lipoma in an Adolescent: A Case Report and Systematic Review of Cases.
This case report and systematic review studied spindle cell lipoma presenting as a cardiac mass in a 13-year-old male, using transthoracic echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging to characterize lesions involving the aortic valve, interventricular septum, and posterior left ventricular wall. The key finding was that imaging showed a large lobulated mass arising from the left coronary cusp with extension into the left ventricular outflow tract, producing severe aortic regurgitation and moderate aortic stenosis, despite the tumor being exceptionally rare in the heart. Clinically, it highlights the diagnostic uncertainty of rare cardiac lipomatous tumors in adolescents and the importance of multimodality imaging and surgical pathology to guide management.
Soh SL, Wee IJY, Murray Binti Jeffery Murray RL et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
CMR biomarkers of myocardial fibrosis, adiposity, and tissue characterization
Prognostic value of epicardial adipose tissue assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction after successful revascularization.
This registry-based study evaluated whether epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) volume measured by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) predicts major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in 540 patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) after successful revascularization. Higher EAT volume was associated with increased MACE risk, and EAT measures correlated with myocardial injury markers assessed in the study. These data position CMR-derived EAT as a potential imaging biomarker for post-STEMI prognosis and risk stratification.
Wei L, Zhao CX, Dong JX et al. · BMC medical imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Regional fat distribution as a determinant of mortality in populations with left ventricular systolic dysfunction: challenging the obesity paradox.
This UK Biobank Imaging Enhancement Programme analysis used cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) to identify participants with left ventricular systolic impairment (LVEF <50%) and tested whether regional fat distribution predicts mortality beyond body mass index (BMI). The study challenged the “obesity paradox” by showing that specific adiposity phenotypes and fat distribution patterns were associated with mortality risk in people with LV systolic dysfunction. These findings suggest that CMR-linked risk prediction should incorporate regional fat measures rather than relying on BMI alone.
Khanna S, Ho W, Takeuchi F et al. · European journal of preventive cardiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Standardized MRI-Based Quantification of Epicardial Adipose Tissue Volume: Reproducibility and Agreement With Cardiac Computed Tomography.
This retrospective study evaluated a standardized MRI protocol for quantifying epicardial adipose tissue volume (EATV) in 127 patients with aortic stenosis who underwent paired cardiac CT and MRI, with additional volunteers. The standardized MRI-based EATV measurements showed reproducibility and agreement with the established CT-based quantification approach. Standardizing radiation-free MRI EATV assessment could improve cardiometabolic risk stratification and longitudinal monitoring in patients with valvular heart disease.
Gronwald J, Gersch SS, Böttiger Z et al. · Journal of magnetic resonance imaging : JMRI · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
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 CMR study in an elderly general cohort (Akershus Cardiac Examination 1950; n=200) assessed how myocardial fibrosis relates to left ventricular strain and mechanical synchrony. The key finding was that diffuse fibrosis quantified by septal extracellular volume (ECV) and focal fibrosis quantified by late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) were associated with worse LV deformation and synchrony metrics derived from CMR-feature tracking (including mechanical dispersion). This is significant because it links quantitative myocardial fibrosis to functional impairment in people without known coronary artery disease, supporting CMR fibrosis as a marker of subclinical cardiac dysfunction.
Wimalanathan T, Sulkowska J, Melles AW et al. · The international journal of cardiovascular imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Cardiac hemodynamics and flow/coupling metrics (including RV-PA coupling, 4D flow)
Prognostic Implications of RV-Arterial Coupling Estimated by CMR in a Large Cohort of Tricuspid Regurgitation Patients.
This study evaluated whether a cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) surrogate of right ventricular–pulmonary arterial (RV-PA) coupling predicts outcomes in patients with tricuspid regurgitation (TR) referred for CMR between 2019 and 2024. In a large TR cohort, RV-PA coupling calculated from forward right ventricular stroke volume (f-RVS) and pulmonary arterial characteristics showed prognostic value across a spectrum of TR severity. These findings support CMR-based RV-PA coupling as a clinically actionable risk marker for stratifying TR patients and guiding management decisions.
Margonato D, Fukui M, Nishihara T et al. · Circulation. Cardiovascular imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Right Ventricular Metrics as End Points in Clinical Trials: A Review.
This review article summarized how right ventricular (RV) structure and function metrics can serve as endpoints in cardiovascular clinical trials, focusing on RV-focused imaging and hemodynamic parameters. It highlighted current limitations in endpoint selection and proposes a framework for developing, validating, and implementing RV metrics to improve trial efficiency and sensitivity. The review supports broader adoption of RV-specific endpoints to better capture disease-relevant treatment effects across RV-involving conditions.
Surkova E, Lakatos B, Kempton H et al. · JAMA cardiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Right Ventricular Mechanical Dyssynchrony Reflects Hemodynamic Load in Pre-Capillary Pulmonary Hypertension.
This study investigated determinants of right ventricular (RV) mechanical dyssynchrony in 30 adults with pre-capillary pulmonary hypertension (83% female; mean age 56±19 years) without intraventricular conduction delay (QRS <120 ms) using right heart catheterization, cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), and 2D speckle-tracking echocardiography. The key finding was that RV mechanical dyssynchrony tracked with hemodynamic load—linking dyssynchrony magnitude to pulmonary hemodynamics measured invasively and supported by CMR/echo-derived measures. Scientifically and clinically, quantifying RV dyssynchrony may provide a noninvasive marker of afterload-related maladaptation and help phenotype patients with pre-capillary PH.
Igata S, Tahara N, Tahara A et al. · Pulmonary circulation · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Prognostic Value of Coronary Sinus Flow and Aortic Pressure Gradient Quantified by 4D Flow CMR in AMI.
This retrospective study evaluated prognostic value in 103 acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients who underwent CMR before percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), using 4D flow CMR to quantify coronary sinus flow (CS flow, normalized to left ventricular mass) and aortic valve pressure gradients (supra- and sub-aortic peak gradients). The study tested whether these 4D flow-derived hemodynamic metrics predicted a composite endpoint of all-cause death, unplanned revascularization, recurrent MI, heart-failure rehospitalization, and stroke. If validated, 4D flow CMR measures of coronary and valvular hemodynamics could improve post-AMI risk stratification beyond conventional imaging.
Li Y, Wang S, Li G et al. · Academic radiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Pectus Excavatum-Induced Preload Insufficiency Presenting as Long-Standing Sinus Tachycardia.
This case report studied a 65-year-old woman with long-standing sinus tachycardia to determine whether severe pectus excavatum could cause hemodynamic compromise via preload insufficiency. Right heart catheterization showed markedly low filling pressures (mean right atrial pressure 1 mm Hg) with preserved cardiac output, and CMR demonstrated anterior cardiac compression from pectus excavatum (Haller index 8.1). The report highlights pectus excavatum as a reversible, structural cause of persistent sinus tachycardia due to impaired preload filling, emphasizing the value of CMR and invasive hemodynamics in unexplained tachycardia.
Alkhatib R, Zghyer F, Hatab T et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Prospective Midterm Outcomes of the PULSTA Self-Expandable Transcatheter Pulmonary Valve: The PULSTA CE Approval Study.
This prospective, multinational, nonrandomized PULSTA CE approval study evaluated midterm outcomes of the PULSTA self-expanding transcatheter pulmonary valve (PULSTA Carpentier Edwards) in 58 patients with right ventricular outflow tract dysfunction. The key findings were midterm safety, hemodynamic performance, and durability consistent with the valve’s intended use across native and surgically repaired anatomies. Scientifically and clinically, the results support the feasibility of a self-expanding transcatheter pulmonary valve to reduce repeated surgical interventions by improving midterm durability.
Lee SY, Kim GB, Carminati M et al. · Circulation. Cardiovascular interventions · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Cardiac risk prediction and prognostic modeling (imaging-based)
Efficacy of post-transplant brentuximab vedotin maintenance by pre-transplant disease status in relapsed/refractory classic Hodgkin lymphoma.
This real-world cohort study assessed the efficacy of post–autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) brentuximab vedotin (BV) maintenance in adult relapsed/refractory classic Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL), stratified by pre-transplant metabolic response (complete metabolic response, CMR) and by the number of AETHERA-defined clinical risk factors. BV maintenance showed differential benefit depending on pre-ASCT disease status, with the study specifically clarifying whether patients transplanted in CMR derive the same advantage as higher-risk groups. The results refine how BV maintenance should be targeted after ASCT to improve progression-free survival (PFS) in cHL patients.
Desai SH, Geyer SM, Pederson L et al. · Blood cancer journal · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Feasibility and Yield of a Diagnostic Protocol for Myocardial Infarction with Non-Obstructive Coronary Arteries.
This prospective multicenter cohort study assessed the feasibility and diagnostic yield of a stepwise protocol for myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) beyond initial invasive coronary angiography (ICA) in patients enrolled from December 2020 to June 2024. The protocol incorporated ad-hoc optical coherence tomography (OCT) and additional targeted testing to determine the final underlying diagnosis after ICA. The findings support a structured, resource-aware diagnostic workflow to improve etiologic classification of MINOCA in real-world practice.
Nishimiya K, Yosofi B, Dimitriu-Leen AC et al. · The American journal of cardiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
A woman in her 70s with chest pain and elevated troponin T levels.
This case report described a woman in her 70s presenting with chest pain and markedly elevated troponin T (initially 108 ng/L, rising to 263 ng/L) with normal electrocardiogram and coronary angiography. Despite no definitive findings on cardiac MRI and echocardiography, troponin T remained persistently elevated at ~270 ng/L, highlighting diagnostic uncertainty when ACS is excluded. The report is significant because it underscores the need to consider alternative causes of troponin elevation beyond acute coronary syndrome and to interpret cardiac imaging results in the context of persistent biomarker abnormalities.
Bertelsen BC, Qvigstad E, Larstorp ACK et al. · Tidsskrift for den Norske laegeforening : tidsskrift for praktisk medicin, ny raekke · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Multiomics Insights Into the Role of Spondin-1 in the Pathogenesis and Prognosis of Atrial Fibrillation.
This study used integrative multiomics—including Mendelian randomization and colocalization of plasma protein quantitative trait loci (pQTL) and atrial expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) with atrial fibrillation (AF) genome-wide association studies—to prioritize SPON1 (spondin-1) and characterize its biology. SPON1 emerged as a priority protein target for AF and was further supported by single-nucleus RNA sequencing, spatial transcriptomics, and experimental validation. Identifying SPON1 as a mechanistic AF driver may enable improved molecular risk prediction and potential therapeutic targeting.
Long X, Zhang Y, Gao X et al. · Journal of the American Heart Association · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Incremental Prognostic Impact of Quantitative Perfusion CMR and T1 Mapping in Patients with Heart Failure.
This prospective study evaluated whether combining quantitative perfusion cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR)—including stress/rest myocardial blood flow (MBF) and perfusion reserve (MPR)—with T1 mapping–derived diffuse fibrosis improves risk prediction in patients with heart failure. The key finding was that quantitative perfusion CMR and T1 mapping provide incremental prognostic value beyond either component alone when used together. Clinically, this supports multimodal CMR phenotyping to better stratify heart-failure patients by integrating ischemia/perfusion abnormalities with myocardial fibrosis burden.
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 ↗
Stress imaging and perfusion CMR
Long-term Prognostic Value of Stress Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance in Patients with Hypertension without known coronary artery disease.
This cohort study assessed the long-term prognostic value of vasodilator stress cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) perfusion in patients with hypertension without known coronary artery disease (CAD). Patients referred for stress CMR were followed for major cardiovascular events (MACE), and Cox regression was used to evaluate prognostic performance of CMR parameters. Demonstrating prognostic utility would support using stress CMR as a risk-stratification tool for CAD-related outcomes in hypertensive patients without established CAD.
Houssany-Pissot S, Garot J, Duhamel S et al. · European heart journal. Cardiovascular Imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Athlete cardiovascular imaging consensus and workflows
Indications, protocols, and interpretation of cardiovascular imaging for the evaluation and management of athletes: a clinical consensus statement of the European Association of Preventive Cardiology (EAPC) and the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging (EACVI) of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), Part 2: Cardiovascular magnetic resonance, cardiac CT, and nuclear imaging.
This European Society of Cardiology (ESC) consensus statement synthesized evidence and provided practical guidance on indications, protocols, and interpretation for cardiovascular imaging in athletes, covering cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR), cardiac CT, and nuclear imaging. It emphasizes a multimodality strategy to distinguish physiological athletic remodeling from pathological substrates associated with exercise-related adverse events. The guidance supports more consistent, evidence-based imaging workflows for sports cardiology risk assessment.
Maestrini V, Gati S, D’Ascenzi F et al. · European journal of preventive cardiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Indications, protocols, and interpretation of cardiovascular imaging for the evaluation and management of athletes. A Clinical Consensus Statement of the European Association of Preventive Cardiology (EAPC) and the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging (EACVI) of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC). Part 2-Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance, Cardiac CT and Nuclear Imaging.
This ESC joint clinical consensus statement (EAPC/EACVI) reviewed indications, protocols, and interpretation of cardiovascular imaging in athletes, focusing on CMR, cardiac CT, and nuclear imaging. It recommends using complementary imaging modalities to differentiate normal training-related changes from disease processes linked to exercise-associated risk. Standardized interpretation frameworks can improve diagnostic accuracy and safety in both competitive and recreational athletes.
Maestrini V, Gati S, D’Ascenzi F et al. · European heart journal. Cardiovascular Imaging · (2026) · 2 citations · View on PubMed ↗
Indications, protocols, and interpretation of cardiovascular imaging for the evaluation and management of athletes: a clinical consensus statement of the European Association of Preventive Cardiology (EAPC) and the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging (EACVI) of the ESC: Part 1-Exercise imaging.
This ESC joint clinical consensus statement (EAPC/EACVI) synthesized evidence on exercise imaging in athletes, with particular emphasis on exercise stress echocardiography (ESE) for assessing cardiac reserve and unmasking concealed cardiomyopathies. It provides practical recommendations for when to use exercise imaging and how to interpret results in competitive and recreational athletes. The consensus aims to improve risk stratification and reduce missed diagnoses of pathology that may be hidden at rest.
D’Ascenzi F, Sanz-de la Garza M, Maestrini V et al. · European heart journal. Cardiovascular Imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Indications, protocols, and interpretation of cardiovascular imaging for the evaluation and management of athletes: a clinical consensus statement of the European Association of Preventive Cardiology (EAPC) and the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging (EACVI) of the ESC: Part 1-Exercise imaging.
This clinical consensus statement from the EAPC/EACVI of the ESC focused on exercise imaging in athletes, centering on exercise stress echocardiography (ESE). It consolidates current evidence and offers guidance on indications, protocols, and interpretation to distinguish physiological adaptation from pathology. Implementing these recommendations can strengthen non-invasive screening and prognostic evaluation in sports cardiology.
D’Ascenzi F, Sanz-de la Garza M, Maestrini V et al. · European journal of preventive cardiology · (2026) · 1 citations · View on PubMed ↗
Congenital heart disease imaging and perioperative/anesthesia safety
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 under anesthesia to quantify intraoperative cardiac events and identify predictors. The key finding was the incidence and determinants of perioperative cardiovascular instability during non-surgical CMR procedures using a composite framework of intraoperative cardiovascular instability. Clinically, it supports better perioperative risk assessment and monitoring protocols for children with CHD undergoing anesthetized CMR.
Wingert T, Liang J, Feldman K et al. · Paediatric anaesthesia · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Pulmonary vascular imaging and pulmonary artery measurements
Pulmonary Artery Diameters in Children, Teenagers and Young Adults Derived from Quiescent Interval Slice Selective (QISS) Magnetic Resonance Angiography.
This study used contrast-free radial Quiescent Interval Slice Selective (QISS) cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) to measure main, right, and left pulmonary artery (MPA/RPA/LPA) diameters and cross-sectional areas in 139 children, teenagers, and young adults aged 6 weeks to 20 years without pulmonary artery disorders. The authors report that QISS-derived pulmonary artery dimensions can be reliably obtained across this pediatric age range, enabling standardized reference measurements at multiple anatomical locations. These data support safer, motion-robust CMR-based pulmonary artery assessment in children and may improve clinical evaluation and longitudinal monitoring of pediatric pulmonary vascular health.
Zalas-Piotrowiak D, Rozewicz Juraszek M, Gabbert DD et al. · Pediatric cardiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death risk (including ICD guidance)
[Incremental value of CMR for the 2025 appropriate use criteria of ICD implantation in sudden cardiac death risk stratification of dilated cardiomyopathy].
This single-center retrospective study evaluated whether the 2025 appropriate use criteria (AUC/AUV) for implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) implantation predict sudden cardiac death (SCD) in dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) patients, and whether incremental cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) tissue characterization adds prognostic value. Using CMR with late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) and T1 mapping in consecutive DCM patients at Fuwai Hospital (2012–2021), the study found that CMR-based tissue markers improved SCD risk stratification beyond the 2025 ICD appropriateness criteria alone. This is significant because it suggests a pathway to refine ICD decision-making in DCM by integrating CMR fibrosis/injury metrics with guideline-based clinical criteria.
Zhou D, Wang LL, Lian XQ et al. · Zhonghua xin xue guan bing za zhi · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Right Side Accessory Pathway Mediated Cardiomyopathy Treated with Amiodarone: First Adult Case Report.
This first adult case report studied a 44-year-old man with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome and a right-sided accessory pathway causing ventricular dyssynchrony and reversible cardiomyopathy. The key finding was that amiodarone produced complete pharmacologic reversal of the right-sided preexcitation and associated cardiomyopathy, with no prior adult reports identified in the literature. The significance is that, while catheter ablation is standard, antiarrhythmic pharmacologic reversal may be a potential alternative in selected adult patients with accessory-pathway–mediated cardiomyopathy.
Costa A, Laxina I, Hakim F et al. · American journal of therapeutics · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Occult Idiopathic Ventricular Fibrillation After Preoperative Cardiovascular Evaluation.
This case report studied a 50-year-old man who experienced occult idiopathic ventricular fibrillation shortly after preoperative cardiovascular evaluation for elective surgery. Despite comprehensive workup—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 clinical significance is that idiopathic VF can occur even after “negative” preoperative testing, supporting consideration of heightened perioperative vigilance and prompt ICD-based secondary prevention when VF is documented.
Ganthan RR, Isber R, Elcicek A et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Cardiovascular disease mechanisms in specific populations (e.g., diabetes, CKD, SSc, LVNC)
Mortality among adolescent and young adults in specialized substance use treatment: a Swedish register study.
This Swedish register study examined all-cause and cause-specific mortality among adolescents and young adults aged 13–25 years receiving specialized substance use treatment from 2011 to 2021. Mortality risks were quantified using registry-linked follow-up and predictors including sex, migrant background, parental education, convictions, and treatment variables. The findings highlight the need for improved risk monitoring and targeted interventions in this underserved population with substance use disorders.
Karlsson P, Ekendahl M, Lindner P · Child and adolescent psychiatry and mental health · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Morphological and functional evaluation of the left ventricle in severe aortic stenosis with afterload mismatch: a South African single-centre, cross-sectional cardiovascular MRI-based study.
This single-centre cross-sectional CMR study in South Africa compared left ventricular (LV) remodeling and systolic function in severe aortic stenosis (AS) patients with afterload mismatch, defined as low ejection fraction high-gradient (LEF-HG) versus normal ejection fraction high-gradient (NEF-HG) severe AS. The study tested whether insufficient LV hypertrophy (LVH) fails to match increased wall stress as the mechanism driving systolic dysfunction in afterload mismatch. The results improve mechanistic understanding of LV failure in high-gradient AS and may inform imaging-based identification of patients at risk of poor systolic outcomes.
Rajah MR, Doubell AF, Herbst PG · BMJ open · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Pre-heart failure in early chronic kidney disease: clinical epidemiology and treatment.
This review summarizes the clinical epidemiology and treatment implications of “pre-heart failure” in early chronic kidney disease (CKD), focusing on CKD stages G1–G3 and especially those with albuminuria (KDIGO A2–A3). It links even mild eGFR reductions and albuminuria to subclinical cardiac abnormalities such as left ventricular hypertrophy, concentric remodeling, and diastolic dysfunction, which can progress toward heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. Recognizing this early cardiorenal trajectory may guide earlier interventions to prevent progression to overt heart failure in CKD patients.
Zoccali C, De Caterina R, Tuttle KR et al. · European heart journal · (2026) · 1 citations · View on PubMed ↗
Heart involvements in systemic sclerosis beyond pulmonary hypertension: From conduction, rhythm and function defects to coronary artery disease.
This review studied the spectrum of systemic sclerosis (SSc) cardiac involvement in patients with SSc, focusing on mechanisms and manifestations beyond pulmonary arterial hypertension. It found that, independent of pulmonary hypertension, SSc commonly causes myocardial fibrosis, coronary microvascular dysfunction, arrhythmias/conduction disorders, pericardial/valvular disease, and heart failure, with clinically manifest disease in ~15–35% and subclinical dysfunction in ~70% when advanced screening is used. The significance is that comprehensive cardiac screening in SSc could reduce morbidity and mortality by detecting conduction/rhythm and microvascular/coronary disease early, even without overt pulmonary hypertension.
Barile R, Rotondo C, Giancaspro G et al. · La Revue de medecine interne · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor-Associated Myocarditis: A Retrospective Case Series.
This retrospective case series studied immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-associated myocarditis in five patients treated at Mayo Clinic Florida (2019–2024), including categorization using cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) and histopathology when available. The key finding was that myocarditis occurred 5–30 days after starting anti–PD-1 therapy in four of five patients, and cases were classified as definite/probable/possible based on CMR and pathology criteria. Clinically, it highlights the early post–anti–PD-1 window for vigilance and the role of CMR-based diagnostic stratification to improve outcomes in potentially fatal ICI myocarditis.
Monsanto MA, Schneider A, Chirila RM et al. · Romanian journal of internal medicine = Revue roumaine de medecine interne · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Microvascular dysfunction and neurovascular signalling impairment in diabetic silent myocardial ischemia.
This mechanistic review studied diabetic silent myocardial ischemia (DSMI) in the context of coronary microvascular dysfunction and neurovascular signaling impairment. It found that chronic hyperglycemia drives oxidative stress, advanced glycation end-product (AGE) accumulation, and mitochondrial dysfunction in endothelial and smooth-muscle cells, reducing nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability and impairing coronary flow reserve and capillary integrity, while diabetic peripheral/autonomic neuropathy blunts nociceptive signaling. The significance is that DSMI may be preventable/targetable by addressing both microvascular pathology and neurocardiac signaling deficits rather than focusing only on symptoms.
Rajasekaran HK · Microvascular research · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Brain Cortex Thinning in Cardiac Allograft Vasculopathy - Associations With Myocardial Fibrosis and Cognitive Impairment.
This observational imaging study examined brain cortex thinning in patients with cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) and tested associations with myocardial fibrosis and cognitive impairment. In 77 post–heart transplantation patients (35 with CAV, 42 without) plus 45 healthy controls, brain MRI and cardiac MRI (CMR) showed significant cortical thinning in specific regions in the CAV group and analyses assessed links to myocardial fibrosis and cognition using ANCOVA/partial correlation/mediation. The significance is that CAV-related myocardial injury may contribute to neurodegeneration detectable on MRI, offering potential biomarkers for cognitive risk stratification after transplantation.
Qin Q, Zhu D, Zheng N et al. · Circulation journal : official journal of the Japanese Circulation Society · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
A rare case of fulminant talquetamab-induced myocarditis presenting as a STEMI mimicker.
This case report studied fulminant, steroid-refractory myocarditis in a 69-year-old man with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma after starting talquetamab, a CD3/GPRC5D bispecific T-cell engager. The key finding was that the myocarditis presented as a STEMI mimicker, consistent with severe immune-mediated cardiac injury temporally associated with talquetamab initiation. Scientifically and clinically, it expands the cardiotoxic risk profile beyond immune checkpoint inhibitors and supports early recognition and aggressive management of talquetamab-associated myocarditis.
Kim EJ, Saravia SD, Sahni G · Cardio-oncology (London, England) · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
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 correlates with peripheral vasculopathy measured by nailfold capillaroscopy. The key finding was an association between CMR-defined SSc heart involvement (including morphology/function/tissue characteristics reflecting microvascular dysfunction, inflammation, and fibrosis) and capillaroscopy abnormalities. This is significant because it links cardiac microvascular pathology to systemic microangiopathy, potentially improving risk stratification and monitoring in systemic sclerosis.
Martins L, Uellendahl M, Ferreira G et al. · Advances in rheumatology (London, England) · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Architecture and function of holocentric CENP-A-independent inner kinetochores.
This study investigated how inner kinetochores are built and function in holocentric organisms lacking the canonical centromere-specifying histone variant CENP-A, focusing on the silkmoth Bombyx mori. The key finding was that the Bombyx inner kinetochore constitutive centromere-associated network (CCAN) contains four previously uncharacterized centromeric subunits structurally related to the Dam1/DASH complex that scaffold the inner kinetochore despite CENP-A absence. Scientifically, it advances understanding of kinetochore architecture and chromosome segregation mechanisms across species with noncanonical centromere biology.
Yu C, Sankaranarayanan SR, Cornilleau G et al. · Science advances · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Left ventricular non-compaction in heart failure: contemporary perspective on diagnostic challenges and treatment opportunities.
This narrative review summarized contemporary evidence on diagnostic challenges and treatment opportunities for left ventricular non-compaction (LVNC) versus left ventricular hypertrabeculation (LVHT) in heart failure. The key finding was that increasing recognition of LVHT in healthy and adaptive states complicates the assumption that LVNC is a distinct cardiomyopathy entity, making accurate imaging-based classification critical to avoid unnecessary interventions or missed high-risk patients. Scientifically and clinically, it consolidates current understanding of imaging features, pathophysiology, and genetic background to guide improved diagnosis and management strategies.
Geavlete O, Tschöpe C, Angermann CE et al. · Heart failure reviews · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Preclinical/biomedical methods and translational tools (AI, imaging segmentation, animal models)
Toxic and explosive risks in pharmacy: an underestimated reality.
This article reviewed occupational toxic and explosive hazards faced by pharmacists, emphasizing compounding pharmacies handling carcinogenic, mutagenic, and reprotoxic (CMR) substances such as chemotherapy drugs, anesthetic gases, antibiotics, and hormones. It highlighted that secondary exposure can occur via fine powder dispersion or volatile vapors even when standard protective equipment is used, and it described fire/explosion risks from volatile solvents like ethanol, acetone, and ethyl ether. The review underscores the need for stronger safety practices and risk mitigation strategies in pharmacy settings.
Larioui KY, Khoukh K, Zekri S et al. · Presse medicale (Paris, France : 1983) · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Hierarchical Semantic Concept Modeling for Generalizable Myocardial Pathology Segmentation on Multisequence CMR Images.
This paper proposed HSCM-Net, a hierarchical semantic concept modeling framework for generalizable myocardial pathology segmentation on multisequence CMR images. The key finding is that integrating concept-level representations across multiple CMR sequences and labels improves robustness to cross-domain distribution shifts, yielding better generalization for scar/edema segmentation than conventional deep learning approaches. This is significant because more reliable, domain-robust myocardial pathology segmentation can improve MI severity quantification and downstream clinical decision support.
Dong J, Li L, Huang L et al. · IEEE transactions on neural networks and learning systems · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Parameter-efficient adaptation of foundational models for automated myocardial strain analysis.
This study investigated parameter-efficient adaptation of foundational deep learning models for automated myocardial strain analysis across imaging domains, targeting cross-scanner generalization. It introduced CardiacSAM (Segment Anything Model fine-tuned with Low-Rank Adaptation) for cardiac structure segmentation paired with uniGradICON for myocardial motion estimation, aiming to determine minimal data requirements for robust deployment. The significance is improved reliability of automated strain quantification in clinical practice when transferring models between institutions without large retraining datasets.
Bernardo A, Mato G, Calandrelli M et al. · Biomedical physics & engineering express · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Pathophysiologic Consequences of Early Coarctation Stenting in a Longitudinal Porcine Model.
This longitudinal porcine study examined pathophysiologic consequences of early coarctation stenting (COA stents with serial dilation to adult aortic diameters) versus controls in swine. The key finding was that early stent implantation after surgical COA induction led to measurable longitudinal cardiovascular changes at terminal follow-up (20 weeks), compared with sham and COA-only controls. Scientifically, it provides preclinical evidence to inform how early intervention may affect mid-to-long-term vascular and cardiovascular outcomes after coarctation treatment.
Gober LM, Stellon MA, Culver MA et al. · Catheterization and cardiovascular interventions : official journal of the Society for Cardiac Angiography & Interventions · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Protective effect of coumarin on diabetes-induced sciatic nerve damage in rats via TRPV1 modulation.
This preclinical study investigated whether coumarin protects against diabetes-induced sciatic nerve damage in Wistar rats and whether it modulates the TRPV1 signaling pathway. Diabetes was induced with streptozotocin (45 mg/kg i.p.) and rats received coumarin (100 mg/kg/day orally) for 14 days, starting immediately after diabetes confirmation. The key finding was coumarin’s neuroprotective effect associated with TRPV1 pathway modulation, supporting TRPV1 as a therapeutic target for diabetic peripheral neuropathy.
Yıldızhan K, Altındağ F, Bayir MH et al. · Experimental neurology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
CineScribe: LLM-based detection and mitigation of ambiguity in cine cardiac magnetic resonance reports.
This study developed CineScribe, an LLM-based system to detect and mitigate ambiguity in free-text cine cardiac magnetic resonance (cineCMR) reports by converting them into structured regional wall-motion abnormality (RWMA) representations. Trained on expert-annotated cineCMR reports, CineScribe achieved a macro-F1 of 0.92 (95% CI 0.89–0.94) for the report-structuring task. The clinical significance is more standardized, less error-prone cineCMR reporting that can reduce miscommunication and improve downstream decision-making.
Villanueva Benito G, Descalzo ML, Pujadas S et al. · Computers in biology and medicine · (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-assisted versus laparoscopic median arcuate ligament syndrome (MALS) release in adult patients undergoing either approach. The key finding was a comparative assessment of perioperative and postoperative outcomes between RMALR and LMALR based on pooled evidence from included studies (with conversion and other surgical outcomes evaluated). Clinically, it informs surgical decision-making for a rare vascular compression syndrome by synthesizing evidence on relative safety and effectiveness of robotic versus laparoscopic techniques.
Arabi Z, Geropoulos G, Jayawardena P et al. · Journal of robotic surgery · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Generated automatically on June 25, 2026. Covers PubMed articles published June 18, 2026 – June 25, 2026. Summaries are AI-generated; always consult the original publication for clinical or research decisions.