What's New in Cardiac MRI? — July 28, 2026
AI-summarised digest of 46 PubMed articles on Cardiac MRI published in the last 7 days.
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What’s New in Cardiac MRI?
July 28, 2026 · 46 articles · 15 research themes · covering July 21, 2026 – July 28, 2026
Overview
Across this week’s set, a dominant theme is the push toward more precise, quantitative cardiovascular imaging—especially with cardiac MRI—to improve risk stratification in heterogeneous cardiomyopathies and heart failure. Multiple studies focus on prognostic value added by CMR-derived measures (e.g., LGE/scar, ischemic burden on stress perfusion, atrial–ventricular coupling indices, and radiomics from parametric mapping), while others address how to make these biomarkers more reliable (standardized mapping reference values, improved LGE acquisition/segmentation, and validation of alternative modalities like feature-tracking cardiac CT). Together, the work reflects a shift from “single-feature” approaches toward integrated, reproducible quantitative frameworks.
A second major thread is the integration of imaging with electrophysiology and hemodynamics. Feasibility studies enable MR–ECG acquisition during stress, while computational “digital twin” workflows and ECGI/BSP-driven personalization aim to mechanistically interpret arrhythmia signals in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. In parallel, flow-focused MRI methods (4D flow, phase-contrast coupling, and scalable unsupervised reconstruction) expand the hemodynamic biomarker toolbox, including in pediatric/congenital contexts and in settings where noninvasive flow quantification can replace or reduce invasive uncertainty (e.g., estimating Qp:Qs in neonates).
Finally, several contributions emphasize clinical translation and safety: imaging workflow updates for pregnancy and congenital populations, careful evaluation of AI/ECG triage specificity in inflammatory mimics, and preclinical/large-animal evidence supporting safer regenerative strategies (cell therapy without ventricular arrhythmias). Complementing these are reviews and meta-analyses that consolidate diagnostic frameworks (e.g., cardiac sarcoidosis) and clarify how comorbidities and systemic disease (autoimmune conditions, cardiometabolic risk, and rare inherited phenocopies) shape imaging interpretation and arrhythmia risk.
CMR-based risk prediction in cardiomyopathy and heart failure
Left Ventricular Dimension as an Independent Factor Associated with Amino-Terminal pro-Brain Natriuretic Peptide Values in Heart Failure.
This multicenter retrospective analysis of 8,361 patients with acute and chronic heart failure evaluated whether left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) is independently associated with circulating amino-terminal pro–brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels. The key finding was that LV dimension (LVEDD) independently correlated with NT-proBNP concentrations across the acute-to-chronic heart failure spectrum, beyond other clinical factors. This is significant because it clarifies how LV chamber size contributes to biomarker levels, which may refine interpretation of NT-proBNP in heart failure assessment.
Núñez J, Lupón J, Jenkins FS et al. · The American journal of medicine · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Cardiac Magnetic Resonance-Derived Parametric Mapping Radiomics for Prediction of Left Ventricular Reverse Remodeling in Patients With Dilated Cardiomyopathy.
This retrospective study evaluated whether cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) parametric mapping radiomics radiomic scores (RadScores) can predict left ventricular reverse remodeling (LVRR) in 74 patients with nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy receiving optimized medical therapy. RadScores derived from high-dimensional quantitative features extracted from CMR parametric mapping images were associated with subsequent LVRR, defined as left ventricular ejection fraction ≥40% with ≥10% increase at least 180 days after CMR. These findings suggest CMR radiomics could improve risk stratification for patients likely to achieve favorable remodeling under guideline-directed therapy.
Ide S, Ohtani T, Takao T et al. · Journal of the American Heart Association · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Machine learning algorithms for predicting arrhythmic events in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: limited enhancement beyond late gadolinium enhancement.
This study developed and tested a machine learning model using clinical, echocardiographic, and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) variables (including late gadolinium enhancement [LGE] quantified by the +6 SD method) to predict arrhythmic events in 531 patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) from an international multicenter registry. The model’s performance showed limited incremental enhancement beyond LGE alone for predicting a composite endpoint of sudden cardiac death, aborted sudden cardiac death, and sustained ventricular tachycardia. Clinically, this suggests that adding common non-LGE features to ML may not substantially improve risk stratification for HCM arrhythmias beyond established LGE-based approaches.
Certo Pereira J, Amador R, Vieira A et al. · The international journal of cardiovascular imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
RACI: A Novel Prognostic Marker in Functional Tricuspid Regurgitation.
This study investigated the prognostic value of the right atrioventricular coupling index (RACI)—the ratio of right atrial (RA) to right ventricular end-diastolic volume on cardiac magnetic resonance—in 633 consecutive patients with moderate or greater functional tricuspid regurgitation (TR). Patients were stratified by an optimal Youden-index cutoff (RACI<0.62 vs RACI≥0.62), and the primary outcome was all-cause mortality. The clinical significance is that RACI may serve as a CMR-derived marker of RA–RV hemodynamic interplay that improves mortality risk stratification in functional TR.
Zhang RS, Falco G, Li E et al. · Circulation. Cardiovascular imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
CMR/CT perfusion and ischemia quantification for prognosis
Impact of Rate-Pressure Product Correction of Myocardial Blood Flow on the Prognostic Relevance in Patients with Heart Failure.
This prognostic analysis evaluated whether correcting resting myocardial blood flow (MBF) for rate-pressure product (RPP) changes the prognostic value of quantitative perfusion CMR (QP-CMR) in 641 heart failure patients and compared findings with 184 healthy volunteers. Rest MBF was RPP-corrected (MBFcorr) and myocardial perfusion reserve (MPR) was recalculated using corrected MBF, then tested against a composite endpoint including heart failure hospitalization and all-cause mortality. The study is significant because it clarifies whether RPP correction improves the clinical interpretability and prognostic performance of QP-CMR-derived perfusion metrics in heart failure.
Anderton T, Chambers B, Farooq M et al. · European heart journal. Cardiovascular Imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Stress CMR ischemic burden and long-term mortality in left ventricular systolic dysfunction: a multicenter registry study.
This multicenter registry study evaluated whether stress perfusion CMR ischemic burden and late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) provide incremental prognostic value for all-cause mortality in patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction (left ventricular ejection fraction <50%). Across consecutive patients undergoing vasodilator stress perfusion CMR at three French centers (2008–2024), associations with mortality were tested using multivariable Cox models, assessing incremental value beyond clinical factors and LVEF. The scientific significance is that it refines risk prediction in LV systolic dysfunction by quantifying ischemia and scar on stress CMR beyond standard clinical and functional measures.
Pfeffer A, Garot J, Duhamel S et al. · European heart journal. Cardiovascular Imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
CMR scar detection, LGE acquisition, and segmentation methods
Single-shot blood-nulled PSIR LGE with fixed inversion time for rapid and reliable scar detection in cardiac MRI.
This prospective single-center cardiac MRI study compared conventional segmented white-blood (WB) late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) with fixed-inversion-time (TI) single-shot dark-blood (DB) PSIR LGE in consecutive patients with suspected ischemic or non-ischemic cardiomyopathy undergoing 1.5 T CMR (May 2023–Jan 2024). The fixed TI of 160 ms single-shot DB PSIR LGE provided rapid, reliable myocardial scar detection relative to segmented WB LGE with manually optimized TIs. This supports a streamlined LGE acquisition strategy that could improve throughput and consistency of scar assessment in routine clinical CMR.
Kübler J, Ledesma AJ, Holtackers RJ et al. · European journal of radiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Comparison of semi-automatic myocardial scar segmentation methods on black-blood late gadolinium enhancement images.
This study evaluated semi-automatic myocardial scar segmentation methods on co-registered bright-blood and black-blood late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) images in 20 patients with ischemic heart disease. The key finding was a comparative assessment of segmentation performance for black-blood LGE–based approaches (including SPOT and reference PSIR acquisitions on a 1.5 T system), addressing the lack of consensus and reducing operator dependence versus manual methods. Clinically, improved and reproducible scar quantification can strengthen prognostic stratification in ischemic cardiomyopathy.
Génisson T, Narceau K, Richard T et al. · Magnetic resonance imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Cardiac MRI strain and feature tracking (including atrial/ventricular strain)
Incremental Diagnostic Value of Right Atrial Strain in Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy: A Cardiac MRI Study.
This cardiac MRI study evaluated incremental diagnostic value of right atrial (RA) strain in arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) among 38 ARVC patients with preserved RV function, 38 ARVC patients with reduced RV function, and 38 healthy controls. The key finding was that compared with controls, ARVC patients with preserved RV function showed impaired RA reservoir and conduit strain and reduced RA passive emptying fraction despite preserved RA systolic indices (with conventional CMR parameters also assessed). This is significant because RA phasic strain may detect early ARVC-related functional changes when RV function is still preserved.
Xu W, Zhao J, Song Y et al. · Academic radiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Validation of Feature-Tracking Cardiac CT for Left Ventricular Strain Assessment in Pediatric Acute Myocarditis: Comparison With Cardiac MRI.
This validation study assessed feature-tracking cardiac CT (FT-CCT) for left ventricular (LV) strain measurement in 45 children with acute myocarditis, using cardiac MRI (CMR) as the reference standard. Key findings were strong intermodality agreement for global longitudinal strain (GLS), circumferential strain (GCS), and radial strain, along with evaluation of diagnostic performance for detecting late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) and analysis of heart-rate effects (results truncated). Clinically, FT-CCT could provide a pragmatic alternative for strain and LGE assessment when CMR is delayed after clinically indicated CCTA.
Yang L, Cao Y, Peng Y · Journal of computer assisted tomography · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Influence of left bundle branch block on left atrial strain parameters in patients with ischaemic and non-ischaemic dilated cardiomyopathy.
This retrospective single-center study assessed how left bundle branch block (LBBB) influences left atrial (LA) strain parameters measured by cardiovascular magnetic resonance (cMRI) in four groups: controls without dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) or LBBB (n=20), LBBB without DCM (n=21), DCM without LBBB (n=20), and DCM with LBBB (n=20). LA volumes and strain were quantified semi-automatically using cvi42® and Segment® software, and the study specifically examined differences in LA strain metrics attributable to LBBB status across ischemic and non-ischemic DCM phenotypes. The findings are significant because they clarify whether conduction abnormalities like LBBB confound LA strain biomarkers used for prognosis in DCM.
Petersen A, Kamieniarz P, Meteva D et al. · The international journal of cardiovascular imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Hemodynamics and flow quantification (4D flow, phase-contrast, coupling, Qp:Qs)
Investigating Biventricular Intracardiac Flow Remodeling in Marathon Athletes With 4D Flow Cardiac MRI.
This study used 4D flow cardiac MRI to characterize biventricular intracardiac flow components and their associations with exercise-induced cardiac remodeling in marathon athletes. The key finding was that marathon athletes show measurable biventricular flow remodeling patterns on 4D flow MRI that relate to remodeling phenotypes, offering potential hemodynamic biomarkers beyond conventional structural/functional imaging. Scientifically, this helps distinguish exercise-induced cardiac remodeling from early cardiomyopathy by adding quantitative intracardiac flow information.
Tang M, Ren W, Liu G et al. · Journal of magnetic resonance imaging : JMRI · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Patient-specific unsupervised neural reconstruction of cardiac blood flow from 4D flow MRI.
This study introduced SMURF (Scalable Method for Unsupervised Reconstruction of Flow), an unsupervised neural reconstruction framework, to derive patient-specific cardiac blood flow from 4D flow MRI without manual segmentation and post hoc velocity filtering. In 12 pediatric cases (including normal subjects and Fontan patients), SMURF’s reconstructed probabilistic geometry and velocity fields matched expert segmentations while maintaining physical consistency and enabling evaluation on finer grids. The scientific significance is a more scalable, less operator-dependent 4D flow MRI workflow that could improve hemodynamic quantification in congenital heart disease and pediatric populations.
Hans A, Singh A, Loke YH et al. · Medical image analysis · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Terahertz-Nanoscale Visualization of the Microscopic Spin-Charge Architecture of Colossal Magnetoresistive Switching.
This physics study used a custom cryogenic cryogenic magneto-THz scattering-type scanning near-field optical microscopy (cm-THz-sSNOM) technique to visualize terahertz (THz) spin-charge architecture during colossal magnetoresistive (CMR) switching at sub-10 nm length scales. The work resolved near-field THz spectroscopic evolution associated with the CMR transition, addressing the challenge of simultaneously achieving nanometer resolution, high magnetic fields, and cryogenic conditions. The findings are significant for advancing fundamental understanding of THz electrodynamics in spin-electronic switching and for pushing toward spatial/temporal limits relevant to next-generation spintronic devices.
Haeuser S, Chan RK, Kim RHJ et al. · Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany) · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Targeted Flow Cardiac MRI in Neonates with Intracardiac Shunts: A Novel Multi-Modality Imaging Approach to Hemodynamic Assessment.
This initial clinical experience studied neonates with intracardiac shunts in whom targeted flow cardiac MRI was used to non-invasively estimate pulmonary-to-systemic flow ratio (Qp:Qs) using no, minimal, or baseline sedation. The key finding was that cardiac MRI could be implemented in this high-acuity population to quantify hemodynamics relevant to suspected pulmonary hypertension despite sedation constraints. This is significant because it offers a feasible, non-invasive multimodality imaging approach to help disentangle pulmonary vascular resistance versus intracardiac shunt contributions in infants.
Simpkin CT, Taylor AC, MacLean J et al. · The Journal of pediatrics · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Phase-contrast cardiac MRI assessment of aortic reservoir-flow coupling across adult age groups.
This single-center observational study assessed phase-contrast cardiac MRI measures of aortic reservoir-flow coupling across adult age groups in 252 adults scanned on a 3.0 T Siemens MAGNETOM Skyra. The key finding was that reservoir-flow coupling metrics differed across younger (18–33), middle-aged (34–60), and older (>60) groups, consistent with age-related aortic remodeling and altered flow organization. This is scientifically significant because it supports phase-contrast MRI as a tool to characterize functional aortic changes beyond diameter-based assessment.
Lv J, Ye Y, Zeng T et al. · Biomedizinische Technik. Biomedical engineering · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Electrophysiology modeling and ECG/ECGI-based arrhythmia risk
Body surface potential driven personalisation of electrophysiological digital twins in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
This computational biology study developed a body surface potential (BSP)-driven workflow to personalize electrophysiological digital twins in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) using electrocardiographic imaging (ECGI) and Bayesian model calibration. The key finding was that integrating high-density BSP measurements with multimodal clinical imaging enabled patient-specific electrophysiology model construction that mechanistically interprets ECGI signals in terms of underlying tissue-level properties. This is significant because it aims to improve arrhythmia-risk stratification in HCM by moving from descriptive ECGI to mechanistic, individualized EP modeling.
Malik S, Cicci L, Qayyum A et al. · PLoS computational biology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
ECG/AI triage and diagnostic specificity in acute settings
Specificity of the Occlusion Myocardial Infarction-Trained PMcardio “Queen of Hearts” AI-ECG in Inflammatory Myopericardial Syndromes.
This single-center retrospective study evaluated the ECG-level specificity of the occlusion myocardial infarction (OMI)-trained PMcardio “Queen of Hearts” (QoH) AI-ECG model for OMI classification in emergency department patients adjudicated with inflammatory myopericardial syndromes (IMPS) from 2010–2025. The key finding was that the AI-ECG’s specificity for OMI in IMPS patients was limited by inflammatory ECG mimics, underscoring the risk of false OMI activations in this setting. This is clinically significant because it informs safe deployment of AI-ECG triage tools and may reduce unnecessary catheterization laboratory activation in patients with myocarditis/pericarditis phenotypes.
Bennar W, Garin D, Saidi RM et al. · JACC. Advances · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Cardiac MRI reference standards and quantitative mapping normalization
Age-, sex-, and segment-specific myocardial T1 and T2 reference values in a healthy cohort: a prospective single-center study.
This prospective single-center study established age-, sex-, and segment-specific native myocardial T1 and T2 reference values in 183 healthy Caucasian participants using standardized 3T mapping protocols. The key finding was that reference ranges differ by age, sex, and myocardial segment when using a Modified Look-Locker Inversion-Recovery (MOLLI) T1 approach and native T2 mapping, with clinically feasible breath-hold durations. These standardized reference values are significant for improving interpretation of cardiac MRI in practice by reducing false positives/negatives due to methodological and demographic variability.
Körperich H, Shanmugarajah N, Schneider A et al. · Clinical research in cardiology : official journal of the German Cardiac Society · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Myocardial Native T1 Mapping in the German National Cohort (NAKO): Associations with Age, Sex, and Cardiometabolic Risk Factors.
This cross-sectional analysis in the German National Cohort (NAKO) studied associations between age, sex, and cardiometabolic risk factors and myocardial native T1 mapping in 29,573 participants. The key finding was that myocardial native T1 varied systematically with demographic and cardiometabolic risk profiles, supporting native T1 as a quantitative CMR marker of subclinical myocardial target-organ involvement. This is scientifically and clinically significant because it links population-level cardiometabolic burden to measurable myocardial tissue changes detectable without contrast.
Ammann C, Gröschel J, Saad H et al. · Journal of cardiovascular magnetic resonance : official journal of the Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Imaging workflow, feasibility, and operational implementation
SCMR Survey of Centers Performing CMR in Pediatric/Congenital Heart Disease: 2024 Update.
This international survey studied Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance (SCMR) member centers performing cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) in pediatric/congenital heart disease (CHD), comparing 2014, 2018, and 2024 practice patterns across responding centers. The key finding was an increase in responding centers from 93 (2014) to 83 (2018) to 124 (2024), with reported median annual pediatric/CHD CMR case volumes changing over time (details truncated in the abstract). Scientifically, the update maps evolving access and workload for pediatric/CHD CMR, informing workforce planning and standardization efforts.
Buddhe S, Soriano BD, Wilson HC et al. · Journal of cardiovascular magnetic resonance : official journal of the Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Feasibility of 12-lead ECG reconstruction at rest and during adenosine stress perfusion inside a 3-Tesla MR scanner.
This feasibility study evaluated whether 12-lead electrocardiograms (ECGs) can be reconstructed inside a 3-Tesla MR scanner at rest and during adenosine stress perfusion using an MR-compatible external electrode setup and dedicated post-processing artifact removal. In-bore ECGs recorded with three MR-safe electrode patches were compared against reference 12-lead ECGs obtained outside the MR environment before and during adenosine infusion. Scientifically, the work supports the feasibility of measuring ECG intervals and ischemia-related ST/T changes during pharmacologic stress CMR, enabling more integrated MR–ECG assessment.
Falconer D, Mehri M, Bhiri M et al. · The international journal of cardiovascular imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Congenital heart disease and Fontan/hemodynamic management
Comprehensive Cardiac Assessment and Assisted Reproductive Technology Considerations in a Long-Lost Patient With Fontan Circulation.
This JACC Case Reports article described comprehensive cardiac assessment and assisted reproductive technology (ART) considerations in a long-lost 29-year-old woman with Fontan circulation due to tricuspid atresia. Using right heart catheterization, cardiac MRI, ambulatory monitoring, stress echocardiography, and laboratory testing, the authors found she had well-compensated Fontan physiology without high-risk features and proceeded with prophylactic enoxaparin during ART. The clinical significance is that structured hemodynamic and thrombotic risk evaluation can support safer ART planning in selected Fontan patients.
O’Very SA, Shook JE, DeZorzi CJ · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Pulmonary hypertension, right-heart failure risk, and exercise hemodynamics
Determinants of Abnormal Pulmonary Vasodilatory Response With Exercise in HFpEF: Pulmonary Vascular-Left Atrial Axis Abnormalities.
This two-step invasive cardiopulmonary exercise study evaluated determinants of an unfavorable pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) response with exercise in 164 participants with HFpEF, pre-capillary pulmonary hypertension, and non-cardiac dyspnea. An unfavorable exercise PVR pattern (exercise PVR >1.74 Woods units and <22% ∆PVR decrease) was defined and then used to identify high-risk correlates, including pulmonary vascular–left atrial axis abnormalities, for HFpEF patients. These findings support using invasive exercise hemodynamics to risk-stratify HFpEF patients at risk for right ventricular failure when pulmonary vasodilation fails to occur with exertion.
Garcia-Arango M, Kristo A, El Shaer A et al. · Comprehensive Physiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Therapeutics and imaging biomarkers of treatment response
SGLT2 Inhibitor on Infarct Size and LV Remodeling by CMR in Patients With AMI.
This prospective, open-label randomized controlled trial studied whether SGLT2 inhibitor therapy after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in adults at high risk for heart failure—treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)—reduces infarct size and left ventricular (LV) remodeling assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR). The key finding was the trial’s CMR-based demonstration of SGLT2-associated cardioprotection, reflected in reduced myocardial injury/infarct size and improved LV remodeling measures compared with control. Clinically, this provides mechanistic imaging evidence supporting SGLT2 inhibitors as a post-AMI strategy to limit adverse remodeling in PCI-treated patients.
Choi KH, Lee SH, Kim SM et al. · JACC. Cardiovascular interventions · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
The Relationship Between Physical Activity and Left Ventricular Remodeling in Childhood Cancer Survivors Treated With Anthracyclines: A Cross-Sectional Study.
This prospective observational cross-sectional study examined the relationship between moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) measured by accelerometry and left ventricular remodeling in childhood cancer survivors treated with anthracyclines. MVPA was analyzed against CMR-derived cardiac parameters including indexed end-diastolic LV mass (LVMi), LVEDVi, mass:volume ratio, and LV ejection fraction (LVEF) to identify associations with remodeling status. The study is clinically significant because it links a modifiable behavior (MVPA) to anthracycline-related cardiac remodeling risk in a growing survivorship population.
Narayan HK, Chen S, Wong FL et al. · Pediatric blood & cancer · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
A Slc5a6-deficient mouse model reveals metabolically driven cardiomyopathy with therapeutic potential for vitamin-based intervention.
This preclinical study investigated the role of the sodium-dependent multivitamin transporter SLC5A6 in cardiomyopathy by analyzing two human families with SLC5A6 mutations and generating a cardiac-specific Slc5a6 knockout (Slc5a6cKO) mouse model. The key finding was that Slc5a6cKO mice developed progressive metabolically driven dilated cardiomyopathy with cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, fibrosis, impaired coenzyme A synthesis, and premature death, and that vitamin supplementation had therapeutic potential (details truncated). Scientifically, it links biotin/pantothenic acid uptake to cardiac energy metabolism and suggests a vitamin-based intervention strategy for SLC5A6-related disease.
Fullerton MO, Phillips LC, Redgrave RE et al. · JCI insight · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Cell and regenerative therapy safety/efficacy (preclinical/large animal)
Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Committed Cardiac Progenitors Generate Cardiac Tissue Grafts in a Swine Ischemic Cardiomyopathy Model Without Triggering Ventricular Arrhythmias.
This large-animal translational study tested whether transendocardial injection of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived committed cardiac progenitors (CCPs) combined with cardiac fibroblast-derived extracellular matrix (cECM) can generate functional cardiac tissue grafts without ventricular arrhythmias in a swine ischemic cardiomyopathy model. The CCP+cECM approach produced cardiac tissue grafts that improved contractility while not triggering ventricular arrhythmias, addressing a key safety barrier seen with other stem-cell strategies. The results support CCP+cECM as a potentially safer cell-therapy platform for post–myocardial infarction repair in clinically relevant large-animal settings.
Raval AN, Schmuck EG, Leonov V et al. · Journal of the American Heart Association · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Genetics and inherited cardiomyopathies/arrhythmia syndromes (clinical cases)
Familial arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy presenting with aborted sudden cardiac arrest in an adolescent: a novel DSP variant.
This case report described an adolescent with familial arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy presenting with aborted sudden cardiac arrest, in whom genetic testing identified a novel DSP (desmoplakin) variant. Imaging suggested left-dominant arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy, and a cardioverter-defibrillator was implanted, with family screening identifying additional affected relatives. The clinical significance is that recognizing DSP variants and initiating early risk management can be lifesaving in inherited arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy.
Marques AR, Novais Pimenta J, Grangeia A et al. · Cardiology in the young · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
A 46-Year-Old Man Presenting With Chest Pain Due to Apical Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (Yamaguchi Syndrome) Diagnosed by Multimodal Cardiac Imaging.
This case report described a 46-year-old man with chest pain and giant negative T-wave inversion on ECG who was ultimately diagnosed with apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (ApHCM, Yamaguchi syndrome) using multimodal cardiac imaging. Multimodal imaging was used to demonstrate apical left ventricular wall thickening (>15 mm) and to exclude acute coronary syndrome and myocardial infarction. The report is significant because it highlights an imaging-based diagnostic pathway for a rare ApHCM phenotype that can mimic coronary occlusion clinically and on ECG.
Passos MD, de Araújo DLM, Mariano LÁ et al. · The American journal of case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Exercise-Induced Ventricular Tachycardia Unmasking High-Risk Anomalous Right Coronary Artery in an Adult.
This adult case report studied a 43-year-old physically active man whose exercise stress testing unmasked ventricular ectopy progressing to nonsustained ventricular tachycardia during recovery, leading to identification of an anomalous right coronary artery (AAOCA) on coronary CT angiography. CCTA demonstrated an anomalous right coronary artery arising from the left sinus (AAOCA), providing an anatomic substrate for exertional ischemia and arrhythmia. The report highlights that AAOCA can present in adulthood with exercise-related symptoms and should be considered when arrhythmias are provoked by stress testing.
Eisa A, Rashwan R, Aldarab’ah FM et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Phenotypic Expansion of GYG1-Related Disease Presenting as Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy With Brugada Phenocopy.
This case report studied a 31-year-old man with glycogen storage disease type XV (GSD-XV) due to biallelic pathogenic variants in GYG1, presenting atypically with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and a Brugada phenocopy on ECG. Key findings included a spontaneous Type-1 Brugada pattern with complete right bundle branch block, nonobstructive LV hypertrophy with preserved ejection fraction, and speckle-tracking evidence of markedly reduced global longitudinal strain with heterogeneous distribution. The report highlights that GYG1-related disease can manifest with clinically important cardiac phenotypes that may mimic primary arrhythmia syndromes, supporting gene-aware cardiac phenotyping and risk assessment.
Arat N, Cetincelik U, Gülten ZA et al. · American journal of medical genetics. Part A · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Atypical Pediatric Presentation of Takotsubo Syndrome.
This JACC Case Reports article studied a 17-year-old boy with atypical pediatric Takotsubo syndrome triggered by emotional distress and exertion, with concurrent severe hyperglycemia consistent with new-onset type 2 diabetes mellitus. Key findings included ST-segment elevations, markedly elevated troponin, apical wall motion abnormalities on echocardiography, normal coronary angiography, and cardiac MRI showing apical hypokinesis with myocardial edema and late gadolinium enhancement. The case is clinically significant because it broadens recognized pediatric TS triggers and highlights the diagnostic role of CMR when coronary disease is excluded.
Kash B, Nguyen A, Robinson J et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Reviews and meta-analyses on imaging/clinical frameworks and comorbidity links
Rheumatoid arthritis and multisite cardiac aneurysms involving the LVOT, valves, and intervalvular Fibrosa: A case-based systematic review.
This case-based systematic review evaluated rheumatoid arthritis (RA)–associated multisite cardiac aneurysms and pseudoaneurysms involving the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT), valves, and intervalvular fibrosa. The key finding was that such aneurysmal complications are exceptionally rare and have been reported with heterogeneous clinical, imaging, pathological, and therapeutic features, largely limited to case reports. Clinically, the review highlights the need to consider RA-related peri-annular/subvalvular pathology when aneurysmal LVOT/aortic root lesions are encountered.
Alberti M, Cito V, Capozza P et al. · Vascular pharmacology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Clinical Impact of Discordant Minimal Residual Disease Assessment in Adult Patients with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Undergoing Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation.
This retrospective study assessed how discordant measurable residual disease (MRD) results across multiparametric flow cytometry (MFC), next-generation sequencing (NGS), and BCR::ABL1 RT-qPCR affect clinical decisions and outcomes in 182 adult patients with B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT). MRD was compared across 646 paired samples at key timepoints (after remission induction, after consolidation, and pre-HCT) and related to clinical outcomes in 100 patients with serial MRD assessments. The findings are important for improving MRD-guided allo-HCT risk stratification when different MRD assays yield nonconcordant results.
Yoon JH, Jung J, Lee S et al. · Transplantation and cellular therapy · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Chronic draining xiphisternal fistula associated with fractured right coronary artery stent and transdiaphragmatic inflammatory extension: a multimodality imaging and surgical correlation.
This multimodality imaging and surgical correlation case report described a 53-year-old man with type 2 diabetes and ischemic heart disease who developed a chronic draining xiphisternal fistula years after right coronary artery (RCA) stent placement, associated with a fractured RCA stent and transdiaphragmatic inflammatory extension. Imaging was used to identify the rare delayed stent-related inflammatory complication and to guide surgical correlation and planning. The report is clinically significant because it emphasizes that indolent, fistulizing presentations after PCI can reflect deep stent complications requiring multimodal imaging for diagnosis.
Ansari ZR, Hamdulay ZA, Khan A et al. · The Egyptian heart journal : (EHJ) : official bulletin of the Egyptian Society of Cardiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Prognostic value of late gadolinium enhancement in peripartum cardiomyopathy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated whether late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) on cardiac magnetic resonance predicts outcomes in peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM). Across included studies, LGE was assessed for associations with adverse endpoints such as reduced LVEF, arrhythmia, heart failure decompensation, device implantation, transplantation, and mortality using pooled hazard ratios. The analysis is significant because it clarifies the prognostic utility of LGE in PPCM, potentially enabling better risk stratification during pregnancy and postpartum care.
Nurhafizah A, Huang W, Kezia C et al. · Future cardiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
How to Use Cardiovascular Imaging in Pregnancy.
This 2026 review article summarized how cardiovascular imaging should be used during pregnancy for diagnosis, risk stratification, and longitudinal management of cardiovascular disease. It emphasized pregnancy-specific physiologic changes (e.g., increased blood volume and cardiac output) that affect interpretation of normal versus pathological imaging findings and provided modality- and protocol-focused guidance. The review is clinically significant because it offers practical, cardiology-focused recommendations to improve imaging safety and diagnostic accuracy in pregnant patients.
Van Berendoncks A, Rodriguez Palomares J, De Backer J · Circulation. Cardiovascular imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Eosinophilic gastrointestinal diseases.
This Nature Reviews Disease Primers article studied eosinophilic gastrointestinal diseases (EGID) as a clinical entity, covering eosinophilic oesophagitis, eosinophilic gastritis, eosinophilic enteritis, and eosinophilic colitis across affected patient populations. It found that EGID is defined by prominent eosinophilic inflammation of the GI mucosa with symptoms localized to the involved segment and in the absence of secondary causes of eosinophilia (e.g., parasitic infection, medications, vasculitis, allergic syndromes, hematologic disease). The review is clinically significant because it provides a framework for diagnosis and differential exclusion of secondary eosinophilia to guide appropriate management.
Lenti MV, Rossi CM, Dellon ES et al. · Nature reviews. Disease primers · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
The Role of Echocardiography in the Assessment of Epicardial Adipose Tissue: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
This systematic review and meta-analysis studied whether transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) can serve as a surrogate for epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) volumetric quantification compared with reference volumetric methods such as cardiac MRI and cardiac CT. The key finding was that evidence linking TTE-derived measures to true EAT volume is heterogeneous and incompletely defined, limiting certainty about TTE’s validity for preventive and longitudinal EAT assessment. This is significant because it clarifies the current limitations of an accessible, radiation-free approach for EAT quantification in cardiometabolic risk stratification.
Pala B, Piscione M, Cribari F et al. · Current obesity reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Mitral Stenosis in the Multimodality Imaging Era: Pitfalls, Stress Echocardiography, and Integrated Therapeutic Assessment.
This 2026 review studied the multimodality imaging assessment of mitral stenosis (MS), focusing on pitfalls of conventional transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and how advanced imaging and stress echocardiography can refine severity estimation. The key finding was that MS evaluation is challenged by technical limitations and complex hemodynamics, so integrated therapeutic assessment using multiple modalities improves diagnostic accuracy. This is clinically significant because it guides more reliable MS severity determination for treatment planning across different MS etiologies.
Pala B, Piscione M, Gaudio D et al. · Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland) · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Arrythmias in Autoimmune Diseases: Immune-Mediated Mechanisms and Management.
This review studied immune-mediated mechanisms linking autoimmune diseases to atrial and ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death, emphasizing pathways relevant across systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and systemic sclerosis (SSc). The key finding was that pro-inflammatory cytokines, autoantibodies, and progressive myocardial fibrosis disrupt ion channel function and conduction, with anti-Ro/SSA antibodies contributing to QT prolongation and atrioventricular (AV) block. This is clinically significant because it frames arrhythmia risk and management strategies in autoimmune patients around modifiable immune mechanisms.
Tamirisa KP, Irizarry-Caro JA, Curnutt I et al. · Journal of cardiovascular development and disease · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
The Future of Imaging in Heart Failure: Toward Precision Phenotyping, Integration, and Intelligence.
This narrative review studied current and emerging imaging approaches for heart failure (HF), focusing on how echocardiography, CMR, CT, and artificial intelligence can enable precision phenotyping and integrated, predictive workflows. The key finding was that AI is increasingly used to automate echocardiography and guide acquisition, moving HF imaging from modality-siloed description toward patient-specific intelligence. This is significant because it frames how imaging integration could improve etiologic classification and treatment targeting in heterogeneous HF populations.
Hundertmark MJ · Current heart failure reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
The Shifting Boundary Between Invasive and Non-Invasive Angiographic Investigation in Contemporary Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery: An Up-to-Date Narrative Review.
This narrative review studied how the boundary between invasive and non-invasive angiographic investigation is shifting in contemporary cardiology and cardiac surgery, synthesizing evidence from randomized trials, registries, guidelines, and consensus documents (2009–2026). The key finding was that non-invasive modalities—coronary CT angiography (CCTA), CT-derived fractional flow reserve (CT-FFR), photon-counting detector CT (PCCT), and cardiac MRI (CMR)—have expanded the range of clinical questions that can be answered without intra-arterial catheterization, though adoption varies by domain. Clinically, this supports more tailored diagnostic pathways that may reduce procedural risk while maintaining diagnostic accuracy.
Ren J, Royse C, Chan W et al. · Journal of clinical medicine · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Demographic and regional disparities in co-occurring diabetes and cerebrovascular disease mortality: A 24-year national retrospective analysis.
This 24-year retrospective national analysis studied demographic and geographic disparities in mortality where both diabetes mellitus (DM) and cerebrovascular disease (CVD) co-occur, using CDC WONDER death records from 1999 to 2023 in the United States. The key finding was identification of population and regional groups with higher DM–CVD co-morbidity mortality risk (specific rates and stratifications are truncated in the abstract). Public-health significance lies in targeting prevention and care strategies to the highest-risk demographics and regions.
Faheem MSB, Hassan ST, Asghar T et al. · Journal of the National Medical Association · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Diagnostic Approach to Cardiac Sarcoidosis.
This article provides a diagnostic framework for cardiac sarcoidosis, emphasizing that diagnosis is challenging because no single test achieves both high sensitivity and specificity and that major consensus documents use differing diagnostic thresholds. It reviews how clinical presentation, imaging (including modalities such as cardiac MRI and FDG-PET), and histopathology are integrated, while also addressing the role of genetic cardiomyopathies that can mimic sarcoidosis. Scientifically and clinically, the review helps clinicians navigate discordant test results and apply consensus criteria more consistently to identify patients at risk for arrhythmias, heart failure, and sudden cardiac death.
Lehtonen J, Birnie DH · Circulation · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Generated automatically on July 28, 2026. Covers PubMed articles published July 21, 2026 – July 28, 2026. Summaries are AI-generated; always consult the original publication for clinical or research decisions.