What's New in Cardiac MRI? — July 12, 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?
July 12, 2026 · 59 articles · 15 research themes · covering July 05, 2026 – July 12, 2026
Overview
This week’s cardiovascular papers converge on a common theme: moving from “one-size-fits-all” diagnosis toward mechanism- and phenotype-specific risk assessment. Multiple studies and reviews emphasize that standard markers (e.g., troponin) or conventional imaging views can miss key upstream processes—such as microvascular obstruction, hemorrhage, or adverse remodeling after ischemia/reperfusion—and that CMR (often with LGE, mapping, or stress/perfusion) can better distinguish injury pathways. In myocarditis and pericarditis, imaging is increasingly used not just to confirm disease, but to refine differential diagnosis (including equivocal cases) and to identify high-risk arrhythmic phenotypes.
A second dominant thread is the rapid expansion of CMR innovation and workflow optimization. Compressed-sensing cine, free-breathing volumetric tissue mapping (mSAVA), motion-sensitive phase selection for edema imaging, and optimized contrast dosing in children all point toward faster, more reliable, and more scalable CMR. Complementing this, engineering and validation work (e.g., MRI-compatible flow phantoms, 4D-flow characterization, and phase selection strategies) supports better translation of advanced imaging into routine practice.
Finally, the digest highlights a broader “precision cardiology” push: risk prediction is being upgraded with multimodal data (CMR features plus deep learning for arrhythmia risk; EHR-based models for undiagnosed heart failure), and mechanistic targets are being explored—from late sodium current modulation to inflammasome-linked therapies in recurrent pericarditis. Across cardiomyopathies (HCM, Fabry, hypertensive/renal disease burden) and stress cardiomyopathy, the studies collectively reinforce that genetics, sex-specific differences, vascular dysfunction, and even unusual triggers can meaningfully shape clinical course and monitoring strategies.
Cardiac MRI methods & quantitative imaging
Optimal cardiac phase selection using motion-sensitive cine imaging improves T2w-STIR image quality in cardiac MRI.
This imaging study evaluated whether motion-sensitive cine imaging–based cardiac phase selection improves cardiac MRI T2-weighted short-tau inversion recovery (T2w-STIR) image quality compared with conventional ECG-triggering at end-diastole in 12 healthy volunteers. The key finding was that selecting phases with minimal myocardial motion using MoSe cine imaging reduced motion-related signal loss and improved T2w-STIR homogeneity/quality. Scientifically, it provides a practical acquisition strategy to enhance myocardial edema imaging reliability, which can improve diagnostic performance in clinical cardiac MRI.
Tachikawa Y, Ando C, Ishikawa R et al. · Magma (New York, N.Y.) · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Performance of compressed-sensing cardiac accelerated cine MR in evaluating left ventricular function: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
This systematic review and meta-analysis compared compressed-sensing (CS) accelerated cine cardiac MRI with standard segmented cine (Std-cine) sequences (both using bSSFP readout) for assessing left ventricular function in the same participants. Across included studies, CS-cine showed consistency with standard cine-derived left ventricular characteristics, supporting interchangeability for LV functional evaluation. Clinically, CS acceleration can reduce cardiac MRI acquisition time while maintaining diagnostic performance for left ventricular assessment.
Wang Z, Kong H, Zhou Z et al. · BMC medical imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
[Cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging: routine use in cardiology and unique strengths].
This narrative review studied the role of cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) in routine cardiology practice, emphasizing its combined functional assessment and noninvasive tissue characterization. It concluded that CMR’s strengths include stress perfusion CMR for coronary artery disease and viability assessment using late gadolinium enhancement (LGE), and inflammatory myocarditis assessment using the Lake Louise criteria. The clinical significance is that it provides a practical framework for selecting CMR protocols to improve diagnosis across ischemic, inflammatory, and other cardiac conditions.
Schulz A, Reiter T · Innere Medizin (Heidelberg, Germany) · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Clinical Feasibility of Free-Breathing Volumetric Comprehensive Tissue Characterization via the Multi-parametric SAVA Technique.
This prospective clinical feasibility study assessed free-breathing, volumetric multi-parametric SAVA (mSAVA) for comprehensive myocardial tissue characterization in patients, including pre-/post-contrast T1, T2, extracellular volume (ECV), and synthesized bright-blood and dark-blood LGE. The key finding was that 3D free-breathing mSAVA was clinically feasible and showed performance/agreement comparisons with conventional T1 mapping, T2 mapping, and phase-sensitive inversion recovery (PSIR) techniques. This supports broader routine adoption of one-stop, volumetric CMR tissue mapping to streamline evaluation of myocardial disease.
Jiang Y, Si D, Cai Q et al. · Journal of cardiovascular magnetic resonance : official journal of the Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Ferumoxytol dose optimization for three-dimensional whole-heart magnetic resonance imaging in patients with congenital heart disease.
This prospective pediatric study optimized ferumoxytol dosing for 3D whole-heart CMR in patients with congenital heart disease, using sequential dose escalation regimens (1 mg/kg→2 mg/kg or 2 mg/kg→3 mg/kg) at 1.5 T. The key finding was that increasing ferumoxytol dose affected blood-pool nulling inversion time (TI) and 3D whole-heart image quality, informing a dose–relaxation–image-quality relationship. Clinically, optimized ferumoxytol dosing can improve image quality and workflow for off-label CMR contrast in children and young patients with congenital heart disease.
Erdem S, Hussain T, El Jerbi A et al. · Pediatric radiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Characteristic flow of different right ventricular outflow tract morphology in repaired tetralogy of fallot patients studied by 4D-flow cardiac magnetic resonance images.
This retrospective study used 4D-flow cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) in 120 patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot (rTOF) to characterize right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) flow patterns by morphology. RVOTs were classified as tubular or pyramidal (with other morphologies rare), and distinct flow characteristics were observed between tubular and pyramidal groups, with implications for hemodynamics and suitability for transcatheter pulmonic valve implantation (PPVI). These data help refine procedural planning by linking RVOT shape to measurable flow behavior on CMR.
Srivichean A, Chungsomprasong P, Sanwong Y et al. · BMC medical imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Cost-effectiveness of imaging modalities in coronary heart disease: A comprehensive review.
This comprehensive review evaluated the cost-effectiveness of myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) for coronary heart disease (CHD), comparing SPECT and PET approaches across published economic evaluations. It found that the relative value of SPECT versus PET depends on clinical context and downstream decision impact, with careful modality selection needed as imaging technology and costs evolve. The review supports more evidence-based nuclear cardiology imaging choices to improve both economic efficiency and patient management in CHD.
Milan E, Giubbini R, Vitola J et al. · Seminars in nuclear medicine · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Association between CMR-derived pulmonary artery pulse wave velocity and pulmonary risk factors: the multi-ethnic study of atherosclerosis COPD study.
This prospective cohort study in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) COPD population assessed pulmonary artery (PA) pulse wave velocity (PWV) derived from cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) using 2-D phase-contrast flow imaging and semi-automated software, focusing on associations with smoking history. PA PWV showed relationships with pulmonary risk factors, particularly smoking exposure, indicating that CMR-derived PA stiffness may reflect pulmonary vascular injury. These findings suggest CMR-based PA PWV could become a quantitative biomarker for pulmonary risk stratification in COPD-related populations.
Huurman R, Xie E, Ohyama Y et al. · Magnetic resonance imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
A Physiologic Left Ventricle Flow Phantom for 4D Flow MRI Applications and CFD Verification.
This engineering study developed a physiologic, MRI-compatible left ventricle (LV) flow phantom with a closed-loop circulation system to reproduce cardiac motion for 4D flow MRI and to enable CFD verification. The phantom used a PVA-based hydrogel to provide MRI contrast and mechanical stability and generated repeatable end-diastolic and end-systolic geometries for robust model validation. The work is significant because it provides a controllable in vitro platform to reduce motion artifacts and improve the fidelity of cardiac MRI/CFD comparisons.
Wiegand M, Obermeier L, Dillinger H et al. · Annals of biomedical engineering · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Echocardiography biomarkers & simple functional metrics
Diagnostic and Prognostic Utility of Mitral Annular Plane Systolic Excursion: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the diagnostic and prognostic performance of mitral annular plane systolic excursion (MAPSE) measured by echocardiography (and compared across modalities such as CMR, transesophageal echo, and cardiac CT) in relevant cardiovascular populations. Across included studies, MAPSE showed clinically useful associations with cardiac function and outcomes, supporting its role as a simple, potentially automatable marker of longitudinal cardiac performance. The results support consideration of MAPSE in future imaging guidance and encourage standardization of measurement for risk prediction.
Falconer D, Fröjdh F, Wyeth N et al. · Journal of the American Heart Association · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Myocarditis: clinical features, imaging, and risk
Post-viral myocarditis.
This narrative review studied the mechanisms and clinical progression of post-viral myocarditis leading to post-viral cardiomyopathy and heart failure, focusing on common viral triggers such as parvovirus B19, human herpesvirus 6, and enteroviruses. The key finding is that viral myocarditis can evolve through persistent inflammation, immune dysregulation, and molecular remodeling that culminate in dilated cardiomyopathy and chronic heart failure. The review is significant because it synthesizes mechanistic pathways that may inform risk stratification and targeted therapies to prevent progression from acute myocarditis to chronic cardiomyopathy.
Sokolski M, Zychla W, Wilk M et al. · Heart failure reviews · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Rapidly Progressive Myocarditis and Cardiogenic Shock: The Failing Heart in Systemic Sclerosis.
This JACC Case Reports article studied a 49-year-old woman with diffuse systemic sclerosis (SSc) who developed rapidly progressive myocarditis with cardiogenic shock. The key finding was that cardiac MRI showed diffuse biventricular myocardial inflammation and endomyocardial biopsy confirmed lymphocytic infiltration despite severe biventricular systolic dysfunction on echocardiography. Clinically, the case emphasizes that fulminant myocarditis can be an under-recognized cause of shock in systemic sclerosis and supports early multimodality evaluation (ECG, echo, CMR, biopsy) for diagnosis and management.
Mohammad F, Alhajri N, Al-Matrooshi N et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Knowledge landscape and hotspots of scientific publications on myocarditis: a bibliometric analysis from 2000 to 2024.
This bibliometric study analyzed myocarditis research output from 2000–2024 using Web of Science records (English-language original articles and reviews). It mapped publication volume, journals, institutions, and citation patterns using R and Microsoft Excel to identify research “hotspots” and emerging trends in myocarditis. The findings provide a data-driven overview of how the myocarditis field has evolved and where future mechanistic and clinical work may be concentrated.
Zheng X, He Y, Lin W et al. · Singapore medical journal · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Severe hypereosinophilia and eosinophilic myocarditis during secondary plasma cell leukemia: evidence of a paraneoplastic manifestation of aggressive myeloma evolution.
This case report studied a 40-year-old woman with IgG lambda multiple myeloma (MM) who developed severe hypereosinophilia and eosinophilic myocarditis during secondary plasma cell leukemia (sPCL), evaluating it as a paraneoplastic manifestation of aggressive myeloma evolution. The patient achieved complete remission after daratumumab-based induction therapy followed by autologous stem cell transplant. The report is significant because it highlights a rare, potentially fatal cardiovascular complication of aggressive plasma cell neoplasms and suggests that controlling the underlying MM can reverse eosinophilic cardiac injury.
Catini ME, Garibotto M, Morelli MC et al. · Annals of hematology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Loeffler’s Endomyocarditis: Clinical characteristics and outcomes from a tertiary care centre registry.
This retrospective registry study analyzed 18 patients with Loeffler’s endomyocarditis (hypereosinophilic syndrome cardiac manifestation) using clinical data, biomarkers, echocardiography, CMR, and endomyocardial biopsies (n=8) from 2017–2025. It identified two clinical phenotypes—an acute inflammatory form with elevated troponin T, C-reactive protein, fever, and subepicardial late gadolinium enhancement, and a second pattern (described as distinct in the clustering analysis). The findings are important for risk stratification and tailoring management by recognizing different imaging/biomarker-driven disease patterns in eosinophilic myocarditis.
Buske P, Krieghoff C, Lücke C et al. · International journal of cardiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Arrhythmic Myocarditis and Prevention of Sudden Cardiac Death: Current Evidence, Risk Stratification, and Management.
This narrative review synthesized evidence on arrhythmic myocarditis and sudden cardiac death (SCD), focusing on risk stratification and management using clinical features, ventricular arrhythmia burden, genetic variants, and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) findings such as late gadolinium enhancement. The key finding was that arrhythmic presentations are a high-risk phenotype, with ventricular arrhythmias occurring in roughly 10% of hospitalized acute myocarditis patients and often early in the inflammatory phase. Clinically, the review emphasizes integrated multimodal risk assessment (including CMR LGE and genetic/arrhythmic factors) to guide monitoring intensity and SCD prevention strategies.
Imazio M, Collini V, Tomat M et al. · Hellenic journal of cardiology : HJC = Hellenike kardiologike epitheorese · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
From inflammation to inheritance: rethinking myocarditis as the first signal of desmosomal cardiomyopathy.
This narrative review examined how acute myocarditis may represent the first clinical signal of desmosomal cardiomyopathy by linking inflammatory presentations to underlying genetic desmosomal dysfunction. It highlighted that desmosomal gene variants can produce myocarditis-like phenotypes and that integrating CMR imaging and translational pathology with molecular genetics can clarify this overlap. The work is significant because it argues for earlier genetic consideration in selected myocarditis cases to enable diagnosis and family risk management for inherited cardiomyopathies.
AbdelMassih AF, Sankari AC, Mallouka G et al. · The Egyptian heart journal : (EHJ) : official bulletin of the Egyptian Society of Cardiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Pericarditis: diagnosis and anti-inflammatory therapies
Efficacy and Safety of Pharmaceutically Manufactured Cannabidiol in Recurrent Pericarditis: A Phase II Clinical Trial.
In an open-label, multicenter Phase 2 trial, adult patients with symptomatic recurrent pericarditis were treated with pharmaceutically manufactured cannabidiol, targeting the NACHT, leucine-rich repeat, and pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome pathway. The study evaluated whether cannabidiol could reduce recurrent pericarditis activity in patients with elevated inflammatory markers and/or pericardial inflammation on cardiac MRI. If effective, this would provide a mechanism-based anti-inflammatory therapy for recurrent pericarditis linked to NLRP3 inflammasome activation.
Luis SA, Klein AL, Cremer PC et al. · Journal of the American Heart Association · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Added value of cardiac magnetic resonance to clinical diagnostic criteria in the diagnosis of pericarditis: a retrospective cohort study.
This retrospective cohort study evaluated whether cardiac MRI improves diagnostic criteria for pericarditis by analyzing consecutive patients referred for CMR between 2010 and 2024. Patients were stratified by the presence versus absence of pericardial late gadolinium enhancement (LGE), and the study assessed how CMR findings related to clinical patterns and diagnostic classification. The results support CMR—particularly pericardial LGE—as an added diagnostic tool when clinical signs are transient or equivocal.
Hasslacher S, Kritharides L, Yu C et al. · Heart (British Cardiac Society) · (2026) · 2 citations · View on PubMed ↗
Ischemia/reperfusion injury & infarct microvascular damage biomarkers
Periprocedural 24-Hour Change in Renalase Adds Incremental Value for Early Risk Stratification of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance-Defined Microvascular Obstruction in Patients With ST-Segment-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Undergoing Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: A Prospective Cohort Study.
This prospective cohort study enrolled 266 consecutive patients with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) and measured serum renalase before and 24 hours after PCI to compute Δ-renalase. The periprocedural 24-hour change in renalase was independently associated with cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR)-defined microvascular obstruction (MVO) and added incremental value for early risk stratification. This suggests Δ-renalase could improve early identification of patients at higher risk of adverse outcomes related to MVO after PPCI.
Chen Y, Li R, Fu R et al. · Journal of the American Heart Association · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Molecular and imaging biomarkers in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury: from pathogenetic mechanisms to therapeutic targeting.
This expert review synthesized evidence on molecular and imaging biomarkers for myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury, linking mechanistic pathways to therapeutic targeting. It emphasized that while high-sensitivity cardiac troponins detect necrosis, they provide limited insight into upstream multiphase I/R processes such as microvascular obstruction, intramyocardial hemorrhage, and adverse remodeling. The review supports a biomarker-driven approach to better stratify injury mechanisms and guide development of targeted therapies for myocardial I/R injury.
Nasoufidou A, Bantidos MG, Kofos C et al. · Expert review of cardiovascular therapy · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Viability testing for guiding revascularization in ischemic cardiomyopathy.
This review summarized evidence on myocardial viability testing to guide revascularization decisions in ischemic cardiomyopathy, focusing on whether viability predicts benefit from contemporary revascularization strategies alongside guideline-directed medical therapy. The key finding was that major trials such as STICH and follow-up showed CABG improves long-term survival largely independently of viability status, challenging the traditional viability-guided paradigm. Clinically, the review supports re-evaluating when viability testing is used and emphasizes integrating modern medical therapy and revascularization decision-making rather than relying on viability alone.
Li KY, Dhingra NK, Patel R et al. · Current opinion in cardiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Acute coronary syndromes & infarct size/load-modifying strategies
Antegrade dissection and re-entry versus retrograde strategy in chronic total occlusion percutaneous coronary intervention: Rationale and design of the ADRENALINE randomized study.
This randomized study protocol (ADRENALINE) is designed to compare antegrade dissection and re-entry (ADR) versus a retrograde strategy for chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with difficult lesions (J-CTO score ≥2) after successful antegrade wiring. The key finding of the paper is the trial’s planned superiority design and multicenter rationale, aiming to generate comparative efficacy and procedural-effort evidence between ADR and retrograde approaches. If successful, the ADRENALINE results could directly guide hybrid CTO-PCI strategy selection for difficult CTOs.
Opolski MP, Spiewak M, Machaj F et al. · American heart journal · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Left Ventricular Unloading in Anterior ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Without Shock: The ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Door to Unload Randomized Controlled Trial.
The STEMI-Door to Unload (DTU) randomized controlled trial tested whether mechanical left ventricular unloading using a transvalvular microaxial flow pump (TV-mAFP) combined with reperfusion reduces infarct size versus reperfusion alone in patients with anterior ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) without cardiogenic shock. The trial evaluated infarct size as the primary mechanistic endpoint, based on the hypothesis that delaying reperfusion to unload LV wall tension reduces myocardial injury. If effective, this strategy could shift STEMI care toward load-modifying reperfusion adjuncts to reduce subsequent heart failure risk.
Kapur NK, Mangner N, Aghili N et al. · Journal of the American College of Cardiology · (2026) · 5 citations · View on PubMed ↗
Arrhythmia risk prediction & electrophysiology substrate mapping
Atrial Fibrosis Imaging: Correlation of Late Gadolinium Enhancement Magnetic Resonance Imaging With High-Definition Voltage Electroanatomical Mapping Across Different Thresholds.
This prospective study enrolled 60 ablation-naïve atrial fibrillation patients and assessed whether atrial fibrosis quantified by 1.5T high-resolution 3D LGE CMR (free-breathing, echo-navigator end-expiratory gating, whole-heart coverage) correlated with high-definition voltage electroanatomical mapping across different LGE thresholds. It found that LGE-derived fibrosis measures showed correlations with voltage mapping, with the strength of association varying by the fibrosis threshold used. The clinical significance is that threshold-optimized CMR fibrosis quantification may improve noninvasive prediction of atrial substrate relevant to AF recurrence and thromboembolic risk.
Efremidis T, Nyktari E, Kariki O et al. · Journal of cardiovascular electrophysiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Identifying the Presence and Characteristics of Mid-Myocardial and Epicardial Fibrosis From Intracardiac Electrograms in Patients Undergoing Ventricular Arrhythmia Ablation Using a Transformer-Based Self-Supervised Classifier.
This study developed and tested a transformer-based self-supervised machine learning classifier to infer mid-myocardial and epicardial fibrosis characteristics from intracardiac electrograms in patients undergoing ventricular arrhythmia ablation. The key finding was that intracardiac electrogram features can be leveraged to detect nonendocardial scar characteristics that are otherwise assessed by delayed-enhancement CMR, which is limited by cost, workflow complexity, and device-related artifacts. If validated clinically, this approach could enable real-time or preprocedural identification of arrhythmogenic substrate beyond the endocardium to improve ablation targeting and procedural success.
Liu X, Qayyum A, Bandyopadhyay S et al. · Circulation. Arrhythmia and electrophysiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Multiomics Insights Into the Role of Spondin-1 in the Pathogenesis and Prognosis of Atrial Fibrillation.
This integrative multiomics study combined 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 causal targets. SPON1 (spondin-1) emerged as a priority candidate and was further supported by single-nucleus RNA sequencing, spatial transcriptomics, and experimental validation linking SPON1 to AF-related molecular and cellular remodeling. Identifying SPON1 as a mechanistic AF candidate provides a potential new biomarker/therapeutic target for preventing or modifying AF progression.
Long X, Zhang Y, Gao X et al. · Journal of the American Heart Association · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Targeting Arrhythmogenic Late Sodium Current by FHF1A-Derivative FixR in Heart Failure Cardiomyocytes.
This translational study in human heart failure cardiomyocytes and animal models of heart failure tested whether an engineered peptide, FixR (an FHF inhibiting x region derivative), can target the arrhythmogenic late sodium current (INa,L) by modulating FHF1-4 pathways. Using RT-qPCR to profile cardiac sodium channel and FHF splice isoforms, the study found that FixR reduced proarrhythmogenic INa,L activity and improved electrophysiologic phenotypes relevant to heart failure. The findings support FixR as a potential therapeutic strategy to reduce arrhythmia risk by directly targeting late Na+ current regulation in HFrEF and HFpEF.
Hegyi B, Angsutararux P, Chakouri N et al. · Circulation research · (2026) · 1 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Improving arrhythmic risk prediction using cardiac magnetic resonance within deep learning in ischemic heart disease.
This study used deep learning with clinical variables and late gadolinium enhancement cardiac magnetic resonance (LGE-CMR) features to improve arrhythmic risk prediction in ischemic heart disease (IHD), analyzing two independent cohorts (including REVIVED-BCIS2-derived data). It found that incorporating LGE-CMR information into deep learning improved prediction of arrhythmic events beyond conventional markers such as left ventricular ejection fraction. The results suggest a pathway toward more accurate, CMR-informed risk stratification for sudden arrhythmic death in IHD patients.
Sen A, Jones RE, Morgan H et al. · NPJ cardiovascular health · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Cardiomyopathy natural history, risk stratification, and phenotypes
Mortality trends and demographics due to hypertensive nephrosclerosis in older adults from 1999-2020.
This population-based analysis studied mortality trends and demographics for hypertensive nephrosclerosis (HSN) in U.S. older adults (age ≥65) from 1999–2020 using CDC WONDER and ICD-10 code I-12 (hypertensive renal disease). The key finding was that HSN-related death rates changed over time, with identifiable temporal trends and demographic patterns across the study period. These results are significant for public health planning by quantifying the burden of HSN-related mortality and informing targeted prevention of downstream cardiovascular and renal complications.
Kalpina F, Kumar D, Shujaat T et al. · Journal of human hypertension · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Nonsurgical Management of a Post-Traumatic Left Ventricular Septal Aneurysm in a 13-Year-Old Male.
A 13-year-old male with post-traumatic left ventricular septal aneurysm after blunt chest trauma was managed nonsurgically, with diagnosis supported by echocardiography and cardiac MRI. Imaging showed an apical septal aneurysm without ventricular septal defect and near-transmural late gadolinium enhancement, and the patient remained clinically stable with preserved systolic function on enalapril, propranolol, and aspirin. The case suggests that selected pediatric traumatic ventricular aneurysms with preserved function and no associated defect may be treated conservatively.
Jocson C, Argrave M, Nasworthy M · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Long-term follow-up of a phase 1/2 trial of anti-GDF-15 antibody visugromab plus anti-PD-1 antibody nivolumab in anti-PD-1/-L1 relapsed/refractory solid tumors.
This report provides long-term follow-up of the phase 1/2a GDFATHER-01 trial in heavily pretreated patients with anti–PD-1/PD-L1 relapsed/refractory solid tumors treated with visugromab (anti-GDF-15) plus nivolumab (anti–PD-1). The study focuses on durability of responses and longer-term outcomes across non-squamous non-small-cell lung cancer, urothelial carcinoma, and hepatocellular carcinoma. The findings inform whether targeting the GDF-15 resistance axis with visugromab can improve sustained benefit in patients who have progressed on PD-1/PD-L1 therapy.
Melero I, de Miguel M, Cabanas EG et al. · Journal of hematology & oncology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Multimodality imaging of extensive caseous-calcific myocardial involvement mimicking a cardiac mass.
This case report studied a 73-year-old asymptomatic woman referred for pre-operative evaluation who had a cardiac mass-like lesion on echocardiography, later characterized by cardiac magnetic resonance. CMR confirmed asymmetric septal hypertrophy and identified septal and posterior mitral annular lesions with markedly reduced native T1/T2 values, hypoperfusion on first-pass perfusion, and peripheral late gadolinium enhancement around a non-enhancing calcified core, consistent with extensive caseous-calcific myocardial involvement. The significance is diagnostic: CMR tissue characterization can distinguish calcific/caseous mimics of tumors from true cardiac masses and prevent mismanagement.
Frittella S, Lo Monaco M, Mollace R et al. · The international journal of cardiovascular imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Natural History of Asymptomatic Phenotypically Mild HCM: Insights From the SHaRe Registry.
This registry analysis from the Sarcomeric Human Cardiomyopathy Registry (SHaRe) studied the natural history and predictors of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in phenotypically mild hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) patients defined by short disease duration (<10 years since diagnosis or age ≤30), NYHA class I, and no prior MACE. The key finding was characterization of disease progression and identification of clinical predictors for incident MACE in this early/mild HCM phenotype. Clinically, these results support risk stratification and potential selection of phenotypically mild HCM patients for future disease-modifying strategies rather than symptom-only management.
Topriceanu CC, Balakrishnan ID, Vissing CR et al. · Journal of the American College of Cardiology · (2026) · 1 citations · View on PubMed ↗
Obstructive sleep apnea and rising cerebrovascular disease mortality in the United States, 1999-2020: A retrospective analysis.
This retrospective analysis studied adults with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in the United States from 1999–2020, examining cerebrovascular disease mortality trends stratified by gender, race, urbanization, and geographic region. The key finding was that cerebrovascular disease mortality rose over time in association with OSA, with differences across demographic and geographic strata. Public-health significance lies in reinforcing OSA as a modifiable risk factor for cerebrovascular outcomes and motivating targeted screening and intervention.
Zafar F, Jha M, Min S et al. · Sleep & breathing = Schlaf & Atmung · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Left ventricular excessive trabeculation: pathophysiology, diagnostic challenges, and prognostic significance.
This review article examined left ventricular excessive trabeculation (LVET), discussing its pathophysiology, diagnostic challenges, and prognostic significance across physiological and pathological contexts. The key finding was that LVET should be viewed as a heterogeneous phenotypic trait with multiple etiologies—genetic, embryologic developmental, and acquired hemodynamic adaptations—rather than a single-compartment “left ventricular non-compaction” mechanism. Scientifically, this reframing helps interpret imaging criteria and improves prognostic counseling by acknowledging variable underlying causes.
Beltrami M, Maestrini V, Baritussio A et al. · Heart failure reviews · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Clinical Course and Predictors of Heart Failure in Asymptomatic Obstructive Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.
This retrospective multicenter study followed 341 asymptomatic adults with obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (NYHA class I, LVEF >50%, LVOT gradient ≥30 mmHg) to identify predictors of progression to symptomatic heart failure. Patients who developed heart failure showed worse baseline risk profiles, with clinical and echocardiographic factors associated with subsequent deterioration over 2003–2023 follow-up. These findings help refine risk stratification for asymptomatic obstructive HCM and may guide earlier monitoring and treatment decisions targeting LV outflow tract obstruction.
Schulz A, Maron MS, Peng LW et al. · Journal of the American Heart Association · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Rare Late Cardiac Involvement Following Resected Primary Limb Dedifferentiated Liposarcoma: A Case Report.
This case report described a 68-year-old woman with prior resected primary limb dedifferentiated liposarcoma (DDLPS) who developed progressive dyspnea and was found to have a mediastinal mass with pericardial involvement. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance showed malignant features consistent with sarcoma, indicating rare late cardiac involvement after DDLPS. The report highlights the need to consider metastatic cardiac disease in patients with prior DDLPS and new cardiopulmonary symptoms, using CMR to support diagnosis.
Alizadehasl A, Baghyari S, Salimi M · Clinical case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Fluoropyrimidine Cardiotoxicity: Role of Uridine Triacetate and Pharmacogenomic Insights from a Case of 5-FU-Induced Cardiogenic Shock.
This case-based review discussed fluoropyrimidine cardiotoxicity, centered on a patient who developed 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-induced cardiogenic shock, and integrated pharmacogenomic considerations including uridine triacetate (UT) as a potential countermeasure. The key finding was that severe cardiotoxicity can occur across a spectrum beyond vasospasm and that UT and pharmacogenomic insights may inform prevention and management of life-threatening events. Clinically, the report highlights actionable strategies for recognizing and treating fluoropyrimidine-induced cardiac decompensation, especially in high-risk settings.
Filomia S, Del Buono MG, Saponara G et al. · Journal of cardiovascular pharmacology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Prevalence and prognostic impact of unrecognized myocardial infarction detected by cardiac magnetic resonance in Thai patients with obesity.
This cohort study of 1,053 Thai adults with obesity (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2) without prior myocardial infarction (MI) or coronary revascularization used cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) to detect unrecognized myocardial infarction (UMI) and evaluated its prognostic impact. CMR-detected UMI was common and was associated with worse outcomes during follow-up compared with patients without CMR-detected UMI. Scientifically and clinically, it supports using CMR to uncover silent MI in Asian patients with obesity to improve risk prediction and potential prevention.
Chayanopparat P, Siriphiphatcharoen P, Laohabut I et al. · PloS one · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: sex/genetics/early disease and outcomes
Association of TNNI3 and MYBPC3 variants with clinical phenotype and metabolic disorders in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
This genetic and metabolomics study investigated how variants in TNNI3 and MYBPC3 relate to clinical phenotype and metabolic disorders in 34 newly diagnosed hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) patients, with 23 unaffected family members and 51 healthy individuals as comparators. Using whole-exome sequencing and Sanger sequencing for variant identification plus non-targeted ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography metabolomics, the authors found associations between specific TNNI3/MYBPC3 variant groups and distinct clinical phenotypes together with measurable metabolic alterations. The work links sarcomere gene variation to downstream metabolic signatures, which may improve phenotype prediction and mechanistic understanding of HCM.
Wu H, Yu Q, Li H et al. · BMC cardiovascular disorders · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Sex-disaggregated data in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: a targeted literature review, meta-analysis and primary cohort study.
This study combined a targeted literature review, meta-analysis, and a primary cohort analysis to examine sex-disaggregated clinical and imaging outcomes in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). It found evidence of sex-based differences in presentation, and it synthesized sex-specific echocardiographic and cardiac MRI measures (including NT-proBNP) across studies and their cohort. The significance is that sex-specific data can refine prognostic assessment and risk stratification in HCM rather than assuming uniform disease behavior across sexes.
Lim VG, Kokara M, Jarrett A et al. · Open heart · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Cardiac myosin-binding protein C in ST-elevation myocardial infarction.
This study evaluated cardiac myosin-binding protein C (cMyC) as a biomarker of myocardial injury in reperfused acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), comparing its performance against high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hs-cTnI) and CMR measures. cMyC correlated with acute and final infarct size assessed by late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) CMR and was associated with the presence of acute microvascular obstruction (MVO) on CMR. Scientifically and clinically, cMyC may enable earlier detection and improved characterization of infarct severity and microvascular damage in reperfused STEMI compared with troponin alone.
Rajakulasingam R, Alaour B, McGrath S et al. · European heart journal. Acute cardiovascular care · (2026) · 1 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) & vascular dysfunction
Unmasking Coronary Microvascular Dysfunction in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: Multimodality Imaging With Stress Cardiac MRI and Coronary CT Angiography.
This case report investigated coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) in a 21-year-old female with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) using multimodality imaging with stress cardiac MRI and coronary CT angiography. The imaging workup identified CMD and supported the HCM diagnosis, with echocardiography showing mild LV hypertrophy, hyperdynamic function, reduced global longitudinal strain, and mildly increased LVOT gradients. The clinical significance is that stress CMR plus coronary CT can help unmask CMD in HCM, guiding evaluation of ischemia-related symptoms and risk.
Ufuk F · Case reports in radiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Multimodality imaging of myocardial injury and coronary microvascular dysfunction in congenital thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.
This case study examined subclinical cardiac involvement in a patient with congenital thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura due to an ADAMTS13 mutation, using cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) and PET myocardial perfusion imaging. The patient showed myocardial fibrosis/scarring and impaired myocardial flow reserve, temporally associated with temporarily discontinuing enzyme replacement therapy. These multimodality imaging findings suggest CMR plus PET can detect early coronary microvascular dysfunction and myocardial injury in ADAMTS13-related thrombotic microangiopathy, potentially informing monitoring during therapy interruption.
Kumar A, Khokhlov L, O’Donnell R · The international journal of cardiovascular imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Integrative Observational and Genetic Evidence From the UK Biobank Supports Carotid Intima-Media Thickness as a Window Into Cardiac Remodeling.
Using UK Biobank data from 46,102 participants with carotid ultrasound and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (excluding prevalent heart failure, atrial fibrillation, or stroke), this study tested phenotypic and genetic links between carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT), cardiac/aortic traits, and cardiovascular disease. cIMT was associated with cardiac remodeling phenotypes, and shared genetic architecture helped support cIMT as a window into early cardiac structural changes relevant to future cardiovascular risk. These findings strengthen the scientific rationale for using cIMT as a noninvasive biomarker to identify individuals at risk for cardiac remodeling before overt disease.
Chong SH, Saccoh AF, van Vugt M et al. · Journal of the American Heart Association · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Takotsubo (stress) cardiomyopathy: triggers and imaging differentiation
Photon-counting CT of midventricular takotsubo cardiomyopathy.
This case report studied midventricular Takotsubo cardiomyopathy in a 63-year-old woman presenting with acute chest pain and elevated troponin I after emotional stress. Photon-counting detector coronary CT angiography (PCD-CCTA) with multiphase cine reconstructions excluded obstructive coronary artery disease and precisely characterized circumferential midventricular hypokinesia with basal and apical sparing. The findings highlight photon-counting CT as a high-resolution, “one-stop” imaging approach to rapidly distinguish atypical Takotsubo patterns from coronary occlusion.
Chikh Bakri I, Euler A · Radiology case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Stress-Induced (Takotsubo) Cardiomyopathy Associated With Upadacitinib Induction Therapy in Severe Crohn’s Disease.
A 64-year-old woman with severe Crohn’s disease was treated with upadacitinib 45 mg daily and subsequently developed stress-induced (Takotsubo) cardiomyopathy. Six days after starting therapy she had new left ventricular systolic dysfunction (ejection fraction 35%) with mid-to-apical wall motion abnormalities, while coronary angiography showed nonobstructive disease and cardiac MRI showed normalization without fibrosis or infarction. This case highlights a previously unreported potential cardiovascular adverse effect of the JAK inhibitor upadacitinib and supports Takotsubo cardiomyopathy as a differential diagnosis after JAKi initiation.
Alnounou A, Katwala A, Sawaf B et al. · ACG case reports journal · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
An unexpected sequel to happiness: happy heart syndrome.
This case report studied a 65-year-old woman with hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia who developed a “happy heart syndrome” variant of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy after a positive emotional event (a wedding party). She presented with anginal chest pain and anterolateral ST-segment elevation, but repeat ECG normalized while troponin remained elevated (717 ng/L), consistent with transient stress cardiomyopathy. The significance is that it broadens the recognized triggers of Takotsubo subtypes and reinforces the need to consider stress cardiomyopathy even when symptoms follow positive emotions.
Rhabneh L, Wafi J, Ababneh R et al. · Oxford medical case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Fabry disease: cardiac involvement detection and monitoring
ECG parameters to detect cardiac involvement in Fabry disease.
This study evaluated electrocardiographic (ECG) parameters for detecting cardiac involvement across clinical stages of Fabry disease in 62 patients and compared them with 45 healthy controls, alongside echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) performed the same day. The key finding was that specific ECG changes differed by Fabry disease stage and that selected ECG parameters had diagnostic value for identifying cardiac involvement relative to imaging. Clinically, the results support ECG-based screening/stratification for cardiac involvement in Fabry disease, potentially enabling earlier intervention before overt cardiomyopathy.
Wang Y, Kong J, Wang J et al. · BMC cardiovascular disorders · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Cardiological aspects of Fabry disease: from diagnosis to therapeutic efficacy assessment.
This review examined cardiology diagnostic and treatment-efficacy assessment strategies for Fabry disease (FD) in relation to Fabry cardiomyopathy, focusing on ECG, echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), and cardiac biomarkers (troponin and NT-proBNP). It found that ECG/echo/CMR are the core tools to suspect, diagnose, and monitor cardiac involvement, with biomarkers used to gauge severity. Clinically, the synthesis supports structured cardiac surveillance and outcome assessment in FD patients to better track cardiomyopathy progression and therapeutic response.
Graziani F, Biagini E, Argirò A et al. · Orphanet journal of rare diseases · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
VCAM-1 as a biomarker of early cardiac phenotypic changes in Fabry disease.
In an exploratory single-center cross-sectional study, 14 genetically confirmed Fabry disease adults (from a family carrying the GLA p.Arg363His variant) were compared with 30 age- and kidney-function-matched healthy controls to test whether vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) reflects early cardiac phenotypic changes. VCAM-1 levels were evaluated as an endothelial activation biomarker and were assessed for association with early cardiac alterations in Fabry disease. If validated, VCAM-1 could serve as a noninvasive marker to detect early vascular/endothelial involvement and guide monitoring before overt cardiac complications.
Lino DODC, Meneses GC, de Almeida IM et al. · BMC cardiovascular disorders · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Heart failure detection & clinical prediction models
Scalable risk stratification of undiagnosed heart failure using routine health data and its association with imaging phenotypes and outcomes.
This study developed and validated a scalable logistic regression model (FIND-HF) to identify patients at high risk of undiagnosed heart failure within one year using routine UK primary care electronic health records (CPRD-Aurum, n=3,520,186) and then externally validated it in CPRD-GOLD (n=570,850), JMDC (n=6,820,694), and Epic Cosmos (n=7,710,3). The key finding was that FIND-HF achieved good discrimination (AUC ~0.79 internally and ~0.72–0.73 externally) and that predicted risk was associated with imaging phenotypes and subsequent outcomes. Scientifically and clinically, the model enables earlier HF detection at scale and supports linking EHR-derived risk to downstream imaging and prognosis.
Nakao YM, Nadarajah R, Shuweihdi F et al. · Scientific reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Transplant rejection surveillance & transplant monitoring
Abnormal Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging Mapping Parameters in Pediatric Heart Transplant Patients with Elevated Donor-Derived Cell Free DNA.
This single-center retrospective study evaluated pediatric heart transplant recipients who underwent clinically indicated multiparametric CMR within 30 days and compared trends in CMR parameters (biventricular volumes/EF, T2 mapping, T1 mapping with extracellular volume fraction) between patients with high versus low donor-derived cell-free DNA (ddcfDNA). It found that multiparametric CMR trends differed according to ddcfDNA status, supporting the idea that combining CMR with ddcfDNA may improve rejection surveillance beyond either test alone. Scientifically and clinically, the work supports multimodal, noninvasive monitoring strategies for biopsy-proven rejection risk in pediatric transplant care.
Watanabe K, Magnetta DA, Laternser C et al. · Pediatric cardiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Infectious disease & antimicrobial/diagnostic innovations (non-cardiac focus)
Genomic insights into Mycobacterium cavoris sp. nov., related to Mycobacterium terrae complex isolated from the oral cavity of a healthy adult.
This study sequenced and analyzed the genome of a novel nontuberculous mycobacterium species, Mycobacterium cavoris sp. nov., within the Mycobacterium terrae complex, isolated from the oral cavity of a healthy adult in Delhi, India (strain SVM_VP21). Whole-genome sequencing on an Illumina NovaSeq 6000 platform followed by assembly (Shovill) and subsystem-based annotation (RAST) provided genomic insights distinguishing the isolate from related MTC members, including failure to identify it by Hain’s Genotype Mycobacterium CM/AS line probe assay. The findings expand genomic reference resources for accurate identification of rare oral NTM species and support improved microbiological diagnostics.
Chauhan V, Shrivastava K, Kumar P et al. · Antonie van Leeuwenhoek · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Novel Multiplex Near-Point-of-Care PCR Assay for Detecting Sexually Transmitted Infections Among PrEP Users in Western Kenya: Protocol for a Cross-Sectional Pilot Study With an Epidemiological Assessment.
This protocol describes a cross-sectional pilot study in Western Kenya among PrEP users to evaluate a novel multiplex near-point-of-care PCR assay (FlashDx) for sexually transmitted infections, including Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae. The study will assess diagnostic performance and epidemiological patterns while addressing limitations of centralized NAAT testing (turnaround time, infrastructure, and trained personnel). If successful, the assay could enable faster, scalable STI detection in low-resource settings supporting PrEP programs.
Sohaili A, Mogaka F, Alexiou Z et al. · JMIR research protocols · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Frontiers in Ocular Therapy: Linking Nanoparticles to Patho- Therapeutic Outcomes in Keratitis Treatment.
This narrative review assessed emerging nanoparticle-based ocular delivery strategies aimed at improving therapeutic outcomes in keratitis caused by bacterial, fungal, or viral pathogens. It emphasized that conventional treatments often fail due to poor ocular bioavailability, rapid tear clearance, and antimicrobial resistance, while nanoparticles may enable improved delivery, targeting, and combination therapy. The review supports continued development of nanotechnology-enabled anti-infective approaches to address unmet needs in keratitis treatment, particularly in older adults at high risk of vision loss.
Tiwari R, G D, Mohan VK et al. · Recent advances in anti-infective drug discovery · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Prevention of arterial catheter-related bloodstream infections: current evidence and future directions.
This review synthesized current evidence and future directions for preventing arterial catheter-related bloodstream infections (AC-CRBSI) in critically ill patients requiring arterial catheters for hemodynamic monitoring and blood sampling. It concluded that evidence is limited compared with central venous catheter prevention, but that multiple insertion and maintenance practices may reduce AC-CRBSI risk. The article identifies gaps in direct AC-specific trials and supports development of clearer, standardized prevention bundles for arterial lines.
Donner V, Sadeghi CD, Catho G et al. · Critical care (London, England) · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Transcriptomic characterization of Coccidioides morphological states using RiboMarker-enhanced RNA sequencing.
This study characterized small RNA (sRNA) expression across three Coccidioides posadasii morphologies—arthroconidia, mycelia, and spherules—using RiboMarker-enhanced RNA sequencing with separate intracellular and extracellular RNA fractions. The key finding was that distinct sRNA profiles track morphological state transitions, implying sRNAs contribute to stage-specific regulation of virulence. This advances fungal pathogenesis biology by identifying regulatory RNA programs that could be targeted to disrupt Valley fever progression.
Howard JM, Manning AC, Clark RC et al. · G3 (Bethesda, Md.) · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Generated automatically on July 12, 2026. Covers PubMed articles published July 05, 2026 – July 12, 2026. Summaries are AI-generated; always consult the original publication for clinical or research decisions.