What's New in Cardiac MRI? — July 31, 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 31, 2026 · 46 articles · 15 research themes · covering July 24, 2026 – July 31, 2026
Overview
This week’s digest is dominated by a clear trend: moving from “single-number” imaging biomarkers toward more standardized, mechanistic, and phenotype-based interpretation. Multiple studies and reviews emphasize how cardiac MRI tissue signals—especially LGE and quantitative mapping (native T1/T2/ECV)—can stratify risk across diverse cardiomyopathies and inflammatory conditions (e.g., peripartum cardiomyopathy, systemic sclerosis, systemic inflammatory rheumatic disease), while also highlighting the need for harmonized acquisition/interpretation. Complementing this, pediatric-specific and protocol-specific reference ranges for T1/T2/ECV aim to reduce variability that can otherwise masquerade as disease.
A second major theme is precision in arrhythmia and post-infarct risk assessment. LGE-derived corridor analysis for ischemic VT substrate, improved scar spatial characterization (ADAS-3D border-zone channel features), and digital-twin approaches for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy all point toward imaging-derived substrates that better reflect underlying electrophysiology. In parallel, CMR-based remodeling phenotypes after reperfused STEMI outperform conventional remodeling definitions, suggesting that unsupervised/phenotype-driven CMR analytics may better predict outcomes and refine follow-up intensity.
Finally, the digest highlights both methodological innovation and clinical translation. Deep learning and reconstruction advances (real-time CMR, pseudo-3D cine generation, unsupervised 4D flow reconstruction) aim to make advanced imaging faster and more reliable—particularly for challenging populations like children and Fontan physiology. On the clinical side, CMR-guided endpoints are used to test therapies (e.g., SGLT2 inhibition after AMI, anti-inflammatory RAAS strategy in post-COVID inflammatory cardiac involvement), while consensus statements and cohorts address imaging strategies in athletes and pregnancy-specific considerations. Across these efforts, the overarching direction is consistent: better imaging workflows plus better interpretation frameworks are converging to improve risk stratification and guide management.
Cardiac MRI biomarkers for heart failure prognosis and risk stratification
Determinants of Abnormal Pulmonary Vasodilatory Response With Exercise in HFpEF: Pulmonary Vascular-Left Atrial Axis Abnormalities.
This two-step invasive cardiopulmonary exercise testing study evaluated determinants of an abnormal exercise pulmonary vasodilatory response in 164 participants, including 80 HFpEF patients, 57 with pre-capillary pulmonary hypertension, and 27 with non-cardiac dyspnea. An unfavorable exercise PVR response (exercise PVR >1.74 Woods units and <22% ∆PVR decrease) was common in HFpEF and was linked to pulmonary vascular–left atrial axis abnormalities that identify high-risk physiology for failure to appropriately unload the pulmonary circulation during exercise. Clinically, these findings support using invasive exercise PVR patterns and pulmonary vascular–left atrial coupling to refine risk stratification and guide management in HFpEF patients prone to right ventricular decompensation.
Garcia-Arango M, Kristo A, El Shaer A et al. · Comprehensive Physiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Integrated Left Ventricular Mass and Left Atrial Function for Prediction of Cardiovascular Outcomes: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA).
This study evaluated, in participants of the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA), whether a cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR)-derived left ventricular (LV) mass–to–left atrial (LA) strain ratio identifies early atrioventricular mechanical uncoupling and predicts cardiovascular events. The key finding was that the LV mass/LA strain imbalance (indexed end-diastolic LV mass divided by peak LA strain) captures physiologic coupling disruption associated with higher risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes. Clinically, this CMR-derived ratio may improve early risk stratification for atrial myopathy/atrioventricular uncoupling before overt structural heart disease.
Salameh E, Hoballah M, Ebrahimihoor E et al. · American journal of physiology. Heart and circulatory physiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
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 heart failure patients (4,374 acute and 3,987 chronic) assessed whether left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) is independently associated with circulating amino-terminal pro–brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) using echocardiography and NT-proBNP measurements collected during care. The study found that LV chamber size (LVEDD) contributed independently to NT-proBNP levels across the acute-to-chronic heart failure spectrum. Clinically, accounting for LV dimensions may improve interpretation of NT-proBNP for severity and prognosis when comparing patients with different ventricular remodeling.
Núñez J, Lupón J, Jenkins FS et al. · The American journal of medicine · (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 of childhood cancer survivors treated with anthracyclines examined how moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), measured by accelerometry, relates to left ventricular remodeling assessed by cardiovascular magnetic resonance. Using CMR-derived indices (indexed LV end-diastolic mass, volume, mass:volume ratio, and LVEF), the study evaluated associations between MVPA and remodeling parameters in survivors at least 2 years post-treatment. The results inform whether lifestyle activity may mitigate early anthracycline-related cardiac remodeling and help refine survivorship risk management.
Narayan HK, Chen S, Wong FL et al. · Pediatric blood & cancer · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Cardiac MRI perfusion and ischemia assessment
Impact of Rate-Pressure Product Correction of Myocardial Blood Flow on the Prognostic Relevance in Patients with Heart Failure.
This prospective cohort analysis assessed whether correcting myocardial blood flow (MBF) for rate-pressure product (RPP) changes the prognostic value of quantitative perfusion cardiac magnetic resonance (QP-CMR) in 641 heart failure patients compared with 184 healthy volunteers. RPP correction altered resting MBF and derived myocardial perfusion reserve (MPR) metrics, thereby modifying how QP-CMR parameters predicted clinical outcomes such as heart failure hospitalization and all-cause mortality. Clinically, the study supports standardizing whether and how RPP correction is applied when using QP-CMR-derived MBF/MPR for risk prediction in heart failure.
Anderton T, Chambers B, Farooq M et al. · European heart journal. Cardiovascular Imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Cardiac MRI tissue characterization (native T1/T2/ECV, LGE) and fibrosis/inflammation
Phenotype, genotype and prognosis of apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathies: a French multicentric cohort.
This French multicenter cohort study evaluated phenotype, genotype, and prognosis in 208 patients with apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (ApHCM) using echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance, genetic testing, and follow-up, compared with 419 patients with non-apical HCM (excluding Fabry disease and amyloidosis). The key finding is that ApHCM has distinct genetic and clinical characteristics relative to non-apical HCM, with genotype–phenotype and outcome patterns that remain important for prognosis. Clinically, the study supports genetic testing and careful imaging-based phenotyping in ApHCM to improve prognostic counseling and risk management.
Martel H, Lucas C, Benjelloun H et al. · European heart journal. Cardiovascular Imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Impact of age, heart rate, and body surface area on myocardial native T1, T2, and extracellular volume fraction in pediatric patients at 1.5 Tesla cardiac magnetic resonance imaging.
This study assessed, in pediatric patients undergoing 1.5 Tesla cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), how age, heart rate, and body surface area influence global myocardial native T1, T2, and extracellular volume (ECV) fraction reference values. The key finding was that these physiologic variables significantly affect native T1/T2 and ECV measurements, necessitating pediatric-specific reference ranges rather than adult-derived norms. Scientifically and clinically, establishing these reference values supports more accurate interpretation of diffuse fibrosis (native T1/ECV) and edema (T2) in children using CMR tissue mapping.
Riaza-Martin L, Escudero-Fernandez JM, Riera-Soler L et al. · Pediatric radiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
SPACE: Pathophysiology of Platypnea-Orthodeoxia Syndrome With Aortic Aneurysm in 5 Steps.
This case report studied a 47-year-old woman with platypnea-orthodeoxia syndrome in the setting of a bicuspid aortic valve and ascending aortic aneurysm. The key finding was that multimodal imaging showed persistent right-to-left shunting across a patent foramen ovale despite normal pulmonary vascular resistance, driven by aneurysm-related displacement/compression of the interatrial septum and right atrium plus a prominent Eustachian valve. The clinical significance is that surgical correction of the ascending aorta/aortic valve can address the anatomic mechanism of positional shunting in this rare syndrome.
Hanses U, Osteresch R, Rühle S et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
This ECG Does Not Fit: Rethinking Left Ventricular Hypertrophy.
This case report studied a 70-year-old man with progressive left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and atypical electrocardiographic findings in the context of multiple comorbidities. The key finding was that cardiac magnetic resonance showed reduced native T1 values and genetic testing identified the GLA mutation p.N215S (late-onset Anderson-Fabry disease), explaining the LVH despite an ECG pattern that did not fit typical LVH. Scientifically and clinically, it highlights the diagnostic value of CMR native T1 and targeted GLA genotyping when ECG patterns are misleading for Anderson-Fabry cardiomyopathy.
Perini Schweiger C, Allocca G, Gugelmo G et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Midventricular Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy With Apical Aneurysm Presenting as Persistent ST-Segment Elevation Mimicking Acute Myocardial Infarction.
This case report studied a 62-year-old woman presenting with chest pain and persistent ST-segment elevation mimicking acute myocardial infarction. The key finding was that coronary angiography showed no obstructive disease, while echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance demonstrated midventricular hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with systolic midcavity obstruction and a left ventricular apical aneurysm. Clinically, it emphasizes that persistent ST elevation can reflect nonischemic structural disease such as midventricular HCM with apical aneurysm, guiding appropriate diagnostic pathways beyond treating as STEMI.
Kyvetos A, Liatakis I, Niarchou P et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Post-traumatic pericarditis following penetrating injury to the heart: a case report.
This case report studied a 22-year-old man who developed post-traumatic pericarditis after a penetrating stab injury to both ventricles, progressing to transient constrictive pericarditis. The key finding was that multimodal imaging enabled diagnosis and longitudinal follow-up as the inflammatory pericardial process evolved after non-iatrogenic cardiac trauma. Clinically, it illustrates how imaging-guided assessment can clarify diagnosis and track progression in post-cardiac injury syndrome when symptoms and exam findings are nonspecific.
Ekhelikar S, Chukwudi I, Lewis G et al. · The international journal of cardiovascular imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Inaugural complete heart block in anti-SSA negative systemic lupus erythematosus: the diagnostic role of anti-PM-Scl 100 antibodies.
This case report studied a 21-year-old woman with anti-SSA-negative systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who presented with inaugural complete heart block (CHB). The key finding was that cardiac MRI and standard workup ruled out myocarditis/infiltrative disease and common reversible causes, while anti-PM-Scl 100 antibodies supported an autoimmune etiology for CHB in the absence of anti-SSA/Ro antibodies. Clinically, it highlights anti-PM-Scl 100 testing as a diagnostic clue for CHB in anti-SSA-negative SLE and underscores the role of careful cardiac evaluation in adult-onset conduction disease.
Dammene Debbih N, Laouar L, Dekdouk N et al. · Lupus · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Imaging Modalities Related to Cardiac Involvement in Systemic Sclerosis.
This article reviewed imaging modalities used to assess cardiac involvement in systemic sclerosis (SSc), a disease driven by microvasculopathy, autoimmunity, and fibrosis. The key finding is a synthesis of how different cardiac imaging techniques (e.g., echocardiography, cardiac MRI, and other modalities) identify distinct cardiac phenotypes such as inflammation and fibrosis across SSc subtypes. The significance is that it provides a practical, evidence-based framework for selecting imaging approaches to detect and monitor cardiac complications in SSc patients.
Markousis-Mavrogenis G, Sfikakis PP, Matucci-Cerinic M et al. · Journal of the American Heart Association · (2026) · 1 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Cardiac Imaging Phenotypes in Systemic Inflammatory Disorders and Perspectives: What Have We Learned and Where Do We Need to Go Next?
This review summarized cardiac imaging phenotypes across systemic inflammatory rheumatic diseases and outlined future directions for improving detection and characterization. The key finding is that cardiovascular involvement is often subclinical and heterogeneous, and that imaging phenotyping can better capture disease-specific patterns and progression. This is significant because it guides the next steps toward more pathophysiology-driven, standardized imaging biomarkers for risk stratification and monitoring.
Buch MH, Plein S · Journal of the American Heart Association · (2026) · 1 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
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 in 183 healthy Caucasian subjects (98 females; ages 11–70 years) evaluated standardized 3T cardiac MRI native myocardial T1 and T2 mapping protocols using Modified Look-Locker Inversion-Recovery (MOLLI 5s(3)) and T2 mapping, generating age-, sex-, and AHA segment-specific reference values. The authors report site-, sequence-, age-, sex-, and segment-dependent normal ranges intended to reduce inconsistencies caused by methodological variability across studies. These standardized reference values improve the interpretability of myocardial T1/T2 mapping for differentiating pathology from normal variation in clinical practice.
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 ↗
Rheumatoid arthritis and multisite cardiac aneurysms involving the LVOT, valves, and intervalvular Fibrosa: A case-based systematic review.
This case-based systematic review evaluated reported instances of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) complicated by multisite cardiac aneurysms or pseudoaneurysms involving the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT), valves, and intervalvular fibrosa. The review synthesized clinical, imaging, pathological, and therapeutic features from the limited published cases, emphasizing that RA-related aneurysmal involvement beyond typical pericardial/valvular disease is rare and often described in isolated reports. Recognizing this spectrum is important for clinicians to consider RA-associated peri-annular/subvalvular pathology when imaging shows aneurysmal changes in affected patients.
Alberti M, Cito V, Capozza P et al. · Vascular pharmacology · (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 describes a 46-year-old man with chest pain and giant negative T-waves consistent with apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (Yamaguchi syndrome), a rare HCM variant that can mimic acute coronary syndrome. Multimodal cardiac imaging was used to diagnose ApHCM and exclude coronary occlusion and myocardial infarction. The report underscores the clinical importance of advanced imaging to avoid misdiagnosis and inappropriate ACS treatment in patients with apical HCM presentations.
Passos MD, de Araújo DLM, Mariano LÁ et al. · The American journal of case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Chronic draining xiphisternal fistula associated with fractured right coronary artery stent and transdiaphragmatic inflammatory extension: a multimodality imaging and surgical correlation.
This case report described a 53-year-old man with type 2 diabetes and prior right coronary artery (RCA) stenting who developed a chronic draining xiphisternal fistula due to a fractured RCA stent with transdiaphragmatic inflammatory extension. Multimodality imaging guided surgical correlation and helped identify the rare, delayed stent-related inflammatory complication that can mimic superficial chest wall infection. The report emphasizes the diagnostic value of multimodality imaging for late coronary stent complications presenting as chronic cutaneous sinus tracts.
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 associated with worse clinical endpoints such as reduced left ventricular ejection fraction, arrhythmia, heart failure decompensation, device implantation, transplantation, and mortality. Scientifically and clinically, LGE may serve as a risk stratification marker in PPCM, supporting its use to identify patients at higher risk of adverse outcomes.
Nurhafizah A, Huang W, Kezia C et al. · Future cardiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Terahertz-Nanoscale Visualization of the Microscopic Spin-Charge Architecture of Colossal Magnetoresistive Switching.
This experimental physics study used a custom cryogenic cryogenic magneto-THz scattering-type scanning near-field optical microscopy (cm-THz-sSNOM) to visualize the sub-10 nm spin-charge architecture during the colossal magnetoresistive (CMR) switching transition. The technique enabled near-field terahertz spectroscopic mapping of the local THz electrodynamics associated with spin switching at nanometer scales under simultaneous high magnetic field and cryogenic conditions. The work advances THz nanoscopy toward resolving fundamental spatial/temporal energy-dissipation limits in spin-electronic switching.
Haeuser S, Chan RK, Kim RHJ et al. · Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany) · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Cardiac MRI-guided arrhythmia substrate mapping and ablation planning
Idiopathic 2:1 AV Block With Ventriculophasic Sinus Arrhythmia in a Young Male.
This case report studied a 23-year-old male with idiopathic 2:1 atrioventricular (AV) block accompanied by ventriculophasic sinus arrhythmia. The key finding was that electrocardiography showed 2:1 AV block with right bundle branch block and ventriculophasic sinus arrhythmia, and a comprehensive evaluation excluded structural/infiltrative/infectious causes, with exercise stress testing further characterizing the conduction abnormality. The clinical significance is that isolated idiopathic conduction disease can present with this rare ventriculophasic pattern, informing differential diagnosis and management in young patients.
Tortorici C, Duarte G, Mark JD et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Clinical Characteristics of Multifocal PVCs Originating from the Basal Septal Region of the Left Ventricle: Anatomy, mapping and ablation.
This study characterized multifocal premature ventricular complexes (PVCs) originating from the basal septal region of the left ventricle in 24 patients undergoing coronary venous mapping (CVM) and targeted catheter ablation. The key finding was that despite morphological diversity, the PVCs could be mapped to a confined basal LV septal region (from the anterolateral LV ostium toward the posterior LV process) using a stepwise mapping/ablation approach. This is scientifically and clinically important because it provides a practical strategy to improve localization and ablation success for multifocal septal PVCs.
Gardziejczyk P, Tertulien T, Stuckey M et al. · Heart rhythm · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Structural and Functional Characteristics of Cardiac MRI-Detected Corridors in Ischemic Ventricular Tachycardia.
This retrospective study evaluated ischemic ventricular tachycardia (VT) substrate by comparing cardiac MRI–detected corridors derived from late gadolinium enhancement using ADAS-3D with electroanatomical mapping (EAM) in 43 consecutive patients undergoing ischemic VT ablation. The key finding was that ADAS-3D–identified corridors correlated with EAM substrate findings and that MRI-derived corridor characteristics could help predict arrhythmogenicity and clinical outcomes. This is clinically important because it supports using late-gadolinium CMR–based corridor analysis to refine VT risk assessment and ablation targeting.
Dogan M, Coteli C, Aytemir K et al. · Pacing and clinical electrophysiology : PACE · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Familial arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy presenting with aborted sudden cardiac arrest in an adolescent: a novel DSP variant.
This case report describes a 15-year-old girl with familial arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy presenting with aborted sudden cardiac arrest, in whom imaging suggested left-dominant disease and genetic testing identified a novel DSP (desmoplakin) variant. She underwent cardioverter-defibrillator implantation and family screening identified additional affected relatives, supporting the pathogenicity and heritable risk. Early genetic diagnosis and risk stratification in adolescent arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy can guide timely preventive management to reduce sudden death risk.
Marques AR, Novais Pimenta J, Grangeia A et al. · Cardiology in the young · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Electrophysiology modeling, digital twins, and computational risk prediction
Body surface potential driven personalisation of electrophysiological digital twins in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
This study developed body surface potential (BSP)-driven personalized electrophysiology digital twins for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) by integrating electrocardiographic imaging (ECGI) measurements with patient-specific computational modeling and Bayesian model calibration. The key finding was that the workflow could infer underlying tissue-level electrophysiological properties from high-density BSP/ECGI data, enabling individualized EP model personalization. This is clinically significant because it aims to improve arrhythmic risk assessment in HCM beyond descriptive ECG-based methods by providing mechanistic, patient-specific predictions.
Malik S, Cicci L, Qayyum A et al. · PLoS computational biology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Cardiac imaging in pregnancy and special populations
Comprehensive Cardiac Assessment and Assisted Reproductive Technology Considerations in a Long-Lost Patient With Fontan Circulation.
This JACC Case Reports report describes a 29-year-old woman with Fontan physiology (tricuspid atresia palliated with a 22-mm extracardiac Fontan) who sought assisted reproductive technology after being lost to follow-up. Comprehensive cardiac assessment using right heart catheterization, cardiac MRI, ambulatory monitoring, stress echocardiography, and labs showed well-compensated Fontan status without high-risk features, and she received prophylactic enoxaparin during the ART process. The case highlights how detailed hemodynamic and thrombotic risk evaluation can support safer pregnancy planning in women with Fontan circulation undergoing ART.
O’Very SA, Shook JE, DeZorzi CJ · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
How to Use Cardiovascular Imaging in Pregnancy.
This 2026 clinical review summarized how cardiovascular imaging should be used during pregnancy for diagnosis, risk stratification, and longitudinal management of cardiovascular disease. It emphasizes pregnancy-specific physiological changes (e.g., increased blood volume and cardiac output) that affect image acquisition and interpretation, and provides modality- and protocol-focused guidance for common imaging scenarios. The review’s practical framework supports safer, more accurate imaging decisions for pregnant patients with suspected or established cardiovascular disease.
Van Berendoncks A, Rodriguez Palomares J, De Backer J · Circulation. Cardiovascular imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Cardiac imaging in athletes and exercise-related evaluation
Indications, protocols, and interpretation of cardiovascular imaging for the evaluation and management of athletes. A Clinical Consensus Statement of the European Association of Preventive Cardiology (EAPC) and the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging (EACVI) of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC). Part 2-Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance, Cardiac CT and Nuclear Imaging.
This European Society of Cardiology (ESC) clinical consensus statement reviewed indications, protocols, and interpretation of cardiovascular imaging in athletes, focusing on cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR), cardiac computed tomography (CT), and nuclear imaging. The consensus emphasizes a multimodality strategy in sports cardiology to distinguish physiological remodeling from pathology and to use each imaging modality for complementary information such as structure/function, coronary anatomy, and tissue characterization. The clinical significance is standardized guidance for safer athlete evaluation and improved detection of cardiac substrates associated with exercise-related adverse events.
Maestrini V, Gati S, D’Ascenzi F et al. · European heart journal. Cardiovascular Imaging · (2026) · 2 citations · View on PubMed ↗
Indications, protocols, and interpretation of cardiovascular imaging for the evaluation and management of athletes: a clinical consensus statement of the European Association of Preventive Cardiology (EAPC) and the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging (EACVI) of the ESC: Part 1-Exercise imaging.
This ESC/EAPC–EACVI clinical consensus statement synthesized evidence and provided practical guidance on exercise imaging in athletes, centering on exercise stress echocardiography (ESE). It concludes that ESE is pivotal for assessing cardiac reserve, unmasking concealed cardiomyopathies, and stratifying risk in both competitive and recreational athletes. The significance is harmonized protocols for when and how to use exercise imaging to differentiate normal athletic adaptation from clinically important disease.
D’Ascenzi F, Sanz-de la Garza M, Maestrini V et al. · European heart journal. Cardiovascular Imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Cardiac imaging reconstruction, segmentation, and deep learning methods
Rapid online deep artifact suppression for real-time spiral bSSFP CMR with blipped-CAIPI simultaneous multi-slice imaging at 1.5 T.
This work studied a rapid online reconstruction method for real-time spiral bSSFP cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) using simultaneous multi-slice (SMS-2) at 1.5 T, combining slice separation in k-space with deep artifact suppression via a 3D U-Net. In 10 healthy volunteers, the approach enabled fast, online reconstruction of RT-SMS data that otherwise would require iterative reconstructions and would not be feasible for online use. The significance is that it advances real-time free-breathing CMR acquisition by reducing scan/reconstruction time while maintaining image quality for functional assessment.
Åkesson J, Dragonu I, Heiberg E et al. · Magnetic resonance imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
High Resolution Isotropic ‘Pseudo’ 3D Cine imaging with Automated Segmentation using Concatenated 2D Real-time Imaging and Deep Learning.
This study investigated a deep learning pipeline to generate isotropic, fully segmented “pseudo” 3D cine CMR in pediatric and congenital heart disease by concatenating stacks of 2D real-time free-breathing bSSFP cine images. The key finding was that four trained deep learning models (including interslice signal correction, interslice respiratory correction, and slice-direction super-resolution) could produce an isotropic pseudo-3D cine dataset from 2D inputs. This is clinically significant because it could streamline pediatric/congenital CMR by reducing reliance on breath-holds or complex 3D acquisitions while preserving functional cine information.
Wrobel M, Yao T, Campbell R et al. · Journal of cardiovascular magnetic resonance : official journal of the Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Congenital heart disease and Fontan physiology imaging/management
Topsy-Turvy Heart: Multimodality Prenatal and Postnatal Imaging for Clinical Management.
This case report studied a fetus and newborn with “topsy-turvy heart,” a rare congenital heart disease with axial rotation of the heart, along with an aortopulmonary window. The key finding was that combined fetal echocardiography and fetal cardiac magnetic resonance accurately characterized complex intracardiac anatomy and raised suspicion for associated airway abnormalities, which informed immediate postnatal management despite severe respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation. The clinical significance is that multimodality prenatal imaging can improve preparedness for complex congenital anatomy and associated extracardiac complications.
Meyer D, Geiger J, Weber R et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Patient-specific unsupervised neural reconstruction of cardiac blood flow from 4D flow MRI.
This study developed and tested SMURF (Scalable Method for Unsupervised Reconstruction of Flow), an unsupervised neural reconstruction framework that infers probabilistic cardiac geometry and velocity as implicit neural fields from 4D flow MRI magnitude and phase data. In 12 pediatric cases (4 normal and 8 Fontan), SMURF produced reconstructions that matched expert segmentations while improving physical consistency and enabling evaluation on finer grids without retraining. This can reduce manual segmentation and post hoc velocity-filtering variability, potentially making 4D flow MRI-derived flow metrics more reliable for pediatric congenital heart disease assessment.
Hans A, Singh A, Loke YH et al. · Medical image analysis · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Cardiovascular hemodynamics and flow quantification (4D flow, intracardiac flow)
Investigating Biventricular Intracardiac Flow Remodeling in Marathon Athletes With 4D Flow Cardiac MRI.
This study investigated biventricular intracardiac flow remodeling in marathon athletes using 4D flow cardiac MRI and examined associations with conventional clinical or imaging measures of remodeling (abstract truncated). The key finding was that 4D flow MRI can quantify ventricular flow components that characterize exercise-induced hemodynamic remodeling in athletes. This is significant because it proposes 4D flow–derived hemodynamic biomarkers to distinguish early exercise-related remodeling from cardiomyopathy-like changes.
Tang M, Ren W, Liu G et al. · Journal of magnetic resonance imaging : JMRI · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Cardiovascular aging and multimodal risk modeling
Strategies for resilient climate in smart cities mediated by Nash equilibrium and autonomous decision-makers.
This paper developed a decision-making framework for greenhouse-gas-mitigation in smart cities by integrating Nash equilibrium, autonomous multi-agent systems, and machine learning to model city-level policy choices. The key result is that Nash-equilibrium–mediated autonomous agents can coordinate pollution and climate-warming risk management strategies in a way that is tailored to each city’s conditions rather than using a single centralized policy. Scientifically, it provides a computational approach for resilient climate policy design that can be adapted to heterogeneous urban emissions and risk profiles.
Latha CM, Alvarado-Mentado M · Journal of environmental management · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Integrating Multimodal Data and Genomics for a Comprehensive Assessment of Cardiovascular Aging and Its Impact.
Using UK Biobank data, this study integrated multimodal cardiovascular imaging and physiologic measures (including CMR, ECG, arterial stiffness, and carotid ultrasound) with machine learning to quantify cardiovascular aging and then examined its genetic architecture and prognostic relevance. The key result is that ML-derived cardiovascular aging measures can be predicted from multiple biomarkers and have measurable genetic determinants and associations with future cardiovascular risk. Clinically and scientifically, it provides a framework for comprehensive cardiovascular aging assessment that could enable genetics-informed risk prediction and lifestyle-targeted interventions.
Abula A, Yuan Y, Li X et al. · Journal of cardiovascular magnetic resonance : official journal of the Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Valvular heart disease imaging and surgical timing
Left ventricular global longitudinal strain improves risk stratification in chronic aortic regurgitation.
This retrospective cohort study assessed whether cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) feature-tracking derived left ventricular global longitudinal strain (FT-LVGLS) improves risk prediction in 385 patients with chronic moderate-to-severe aortic regurgitation (AR) and minimal/no symptoms. FT-LVGLS was prognostically informative for adverse outcomes and added incremental value beyond the 2025 ESC/EACTS Class I/IIb surgical indication parameters. The clinical significance is that FT-LVGLS can refine timing of intervention and risk stratification in chronic AR beyond guideline-based criteria.
Li B, Liu Y, Dai L et al. · European heart journal. Cardiovascular Imaging · (2026) · 1 citations · View on PubMed ↗
Post-myocardial infarction remodeling and scar-based risk prediction
Rethinking post-infarction remodelling: identification and validation of data-driven cardiac MRI phenotypes for risk stratification.
This prospective longitudinal study used data-driven cardiac MRI to identify and validate prognostic left ventricular remodeling phenotypes after reperfused ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), analyzing 337 patients in a derivation cohort and 190 in an independent validation cohort. It found that unsupervised CMR-derived remodeling phenotypes based on longitudinal imaging features provided better prognostic relevance than conventional adverse LV remodeling definitions based on changes in LV end-diastolic volume index and ejection fraction. Scientifically and clinically, this supports phenotype-based CMR risk stratification for post-MI patients to better predict outcomes and potentially guide follow-up intensity.
Xiang JY, Wu J, Zhao Y et al. · European heart journal. Cardiovascular Imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Prognostic Value of Scar Spatial Properties on CMR for Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events After Myocardial Infarction.
This retrospective study evaluated whether scar spatial properties on cardiac MRI, specifically ADAS 3D–quantified border zone channel (BZC) features, predict major adverse cardiovascular events after myocardial infarction (MI). The key finding is that conventional border-zone characterization is insufficient, whereas ADAS 3D–derived BZC spatial features better capture abnormal electrical-conduction substrate and improve prediction of arrhythmic composite outcomes and related MACEs. Scientifically, it advances CMR scar analysis toward more mechanistic, spatially informed biomarkers for post-MI risk stratification.
Zhao X, Wang L, Chen W et al. · Academic radiology · (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 in 74 patients with nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy tested whether cardiac MRI parametric mapping radiomics could predict left ventricular reverse remodeling (LVRR) after optimized medical therapy. Radiomic scores (RadScores) derived from quantitative parametric mapping features were used to predict LVRR, defined as LVEF ≥40% with ≥10% increase at least 180 days after CMR. If validated, CMR-derived radiomics could enable earlier, more individualized prediction of which patients will respond with functional recovery.
Ide S, Ohtani T, Takao T et al. · Journal of the American Heart Association · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Therapeutics and clinical trials guided by CMR endpoints
Losartan and prednisolone for post-COVID syndrome and cardiac inflammation: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
In the Myoflame-19 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 279 post-COVID syndrome participants with inflammatory cardiac involvement on cardiovascular magnetic resonance were randomized to losartan plus prednisolone versus matching placebos for 16 weeks. The primary endpoint—change in left ventricular ejection fraction—was neutral, indicating no significant between-group improvement with the combined anti-inflammatory/RAAS approach. Clinically, the trial suggests that losartan plus prednisolone may not meaningfully reverse CMR-measured LV functional impairment in post-COVID inflammatory cardiac involvement, informing future therapeutic targeting.
Puntmann VO, Nagel E, Beitzke D et al. · Nature communications · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Deramiocel heart-derived cellular therapy in advanced Duchenne muscular dystrophy (HOPE-3): a phase 3, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
This phase 3, multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial studied deramiocel, a heart-derived cellular therapy (human allogeneic cardiosphere-derived cells), in participants aged ≥10 years with advanced Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). The key finding was that deramiocel improved clinical outcomes compared with placebo while maintaining an acceptable safety profile in advanced DMD (supporting prior HOPE-2 findings). Scientifically and clinically, it provides evidence for a cell-based therapy targeting both cardiac and skeletal muscle dysfunction in DMD.
McDonald CM, Villa C, Soslow JH et al. · Lancet (London, England) · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
SGLT2 Inhibitor on Infarct Size and LV Remodeling by CMR in Patients With AMI.
This prospective, open-label randomized controlled trial studied whether an SGLT2 inhibitor given after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) affects infarct size and left ventricular (LV) remodeling assessed by cardiac MRI in adults ≥18 years at high risk for heart failure after successful PCI. The key finding was that SGLT2 inhibitor therapy influenced myocardial injury and LV remodeling measures on CMR compared with control (details truncated in the abstract). The significance is that it helps clarify the cardioprotective mechanisms of SGLT2 inhibitors post-AMI using objective CMR endpoints tied to remodeling and prognosis.
Choi KH, Lee SH, Kim SM et al. · JACC. Cardiovascular interventions · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Committed Cardiac Progenitors Generate Cardiac Tissue Grafts in a Swine Ischemic Cardiomyopathy Model Without Triggering Ventricular Arrhythmias.
This preclinical study tested whether human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived committed cardiac progenitors (CCPs) delivered via transendocardial injection, combined with cardiac fibroblast-derived extracellular matrix (cECM), can generate cardiac tissue grafts in a swine ischemic cardiomyopathy model without triggering ventricular arrhythmias. The approach produced grafted cardiac tissue and improved contractile outcomes while not inducing ventricular arrhythmias, addressing a key safety concern seen with some stem-cell therapies. These findings support the translational potential of CCP+cECM tissue engineering strategies for post–myocardial infarction repair in large animals.
Raval AN, Schmuck EG, Leonov V et al. · Journal of the American Heart Association · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Oncology and non-cardiac imaging/biomarkers (incl. MRD and cancer staging)
Evolving paradigms in lymph node surgery in endometrial cancer: insights from the multicenter E-PEC trial.
This multicenter retrospective E-PEC study evaluated temporal trends in lymph node staging and surgical management among patients with newly diagnosed endometrial cancer undergoing primary surgery at six German university hospitals between 2018 and 2022. Across 2018–2022, the study found evolving lymph node surgery paradigms (i.e., changes in how lymph nodes were staged/assessed over time) in these academic centers. These findings are clinically significant because they document real-world adoption patterns of lymph node staging strategies in endometrial cancer, informing how evidence and guidelines translate into practice.
Eser B, Papior D, Salmanton-García J et al. · Archives of gynecology and obstetrics · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Clinical Impact of Discordant Minimal Residual Disease Assessment in Adult Patients with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Undergoing Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation.
This retrospective study evaluated how discordant measurable residual disease (MRD) results from multiparametric flow cytometry (MFC), next-generation sequencing (NGS), and BCR::ABL1 RT-qPCR affected outcomes in 182 adult patients with B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT). MRD discordance across assays was associated with differences in prognostic interpretation at key timepoints (after induction, after consolidation, and pre-HCT), complicating MRD-guided transplant decisions. The findings highlight the need for assay harmonization or integrated MRD interpretation when using MRD to guide allo-HCT timing and risk stratification in adult B-ALL.
Yoon JH, Jung J, Lee S et al. · Transplantation and cellular therapy · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Generated automatically on July 31, 2026. Covers PubMed articles published July 24, 2026 – July 31, 2026. Summaries are AI-generated; always consult the original publication for clinical or research decisions.