What's New in Cardiac MRI? — August 09, 2026
AI-summarised digest of 64 PubMed articles on Cardiac MRI published in the last 7 days.
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What’s New in Cardiac MRI?
August 09, 2026 · 64 articles · 15 research themes · covering August 02, 2026 – August 09, 2026
Overview
Across this week’s set, a dominant thread is the push toward more quantitative, standardized, and scalable cardiac imaging—especially CMR. Multiple studies focus on improving interpretation through species- and population-specific reference ranges (including veterinary and cross-cohort normalization issues), better acquisition/sequence robustness (e.g., faster T2 mapping via improved pulse design, free-running CMR without ECG gating), and automation (deep learning segmentation, automated VENC selection, and domain-generalization approaches that reduce sequence-specific retraining). Together, these efforts aim to make advanced tissue characterization and functional assessment more reproducible and deployable in routine clinical workflows.
A second major theme is using imaging-derived tissue signals to track disease biology and refine risk. Several works connect inflammation or ongoing high-risk substrate to later structural injury—such as T2 mapping inflammation predicting LGE expansion in Anderson-Fabry disease, and multi-modality plaque phenotyping explaining persistent intraplaque hemorrhage under statins. Prognostic imaging also appears in arrhythmia-focused contexts (e.g., CMR predictors of VT recurrence after ablation, and fibrosis/phenotype considerations in mitral valve prolapse), as well as in genotype-aware cardiomyopathy risk where discordant variant combinations complicate sudden death prediction.
Finally, the digest highlights how advanced imaging helps avoid diagnostic pitfalls and better characterize complex systemic or secondary cardiac processes. Case reports and reviews repeatedly emphasize mimics of ischemia or metastasis (pheochromocytoma, thrombus vs cancer, Takotsubo-like syndromes, immune checkpoint inhibitor myocarditis, and anticoagulation-responsive intracardiac thrombi). In parallel, reviews on amyloidosis and systemic inflammatory diseases underscore evolving diagnostic pathways and the need to distinguish active/reversible inflammation from irreversible fibrosis—an approach that increasingly relies on multimodality, quantitative, and sometimes machine-learning–assisted imaging phenotyping.
Veterinary & Species-Specific CMR Reference Standards
Normal Reference Values for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance: An Analytical-Comparative Review with Emphasis on the Brazilian Population.
This analytical-comparative review compared cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) normal reference values for morphofunctional cardiac parameters between an international multicenter dataset and Brazilian publications, focusing on implications for Brazilian clinical practice. The key finding was that differences in population admixture and methodological/technical heterogeneity can lead to discordant “normal” ranges, potentially affecting diagnostic accuracy when international reference values are applied in Brazil. This matters because establishing Brazil-relevant CMR reference standards could improve the reliability of CMR-based diagnosis and risk stratification in Brazilian patients.
Torreão JA, Costa IBSDS, Assunção-Jr AN et al. · Arquivos brasileiros de cardiologia · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Reference intervals for myocardial T1, T2, and extracellular volume in clinically normal dogs and cats at 3-Tesla magnetic resonance imaging: a single-center study.
This single-center study established myocardial native T1, native T2, and extracellular volume fraction (ECV) reference intervals in clinically normal client-owned dogs and cats undergoing 3-T cardiac MRI under ECG gating and general anesthesia. Native T1/T2 maps were acquired at the midventricular short-axis level using validated mapping sequences adapted from human protocols, and ECV was calculated from native T1 values (with post-contrast T1 values as described in the full methods). These species-specific 3-T reference ranges support standardized veterinary CMR interpretation and improve the scientific and clinical comparability of myocardial tissue characterization studies in dogs and cats.
Fries RC, Kadotani S, Toborowsky C et al. · American journal of veterinary research · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Environmental Exposures and Heart Failure Risk
A Randomized Controlled Trial to Evaluate Allopurinol vs Placebo on Left Ventricular Mass in Living Kidney Donors.
In a single-center, phase 2b randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 71 living kidney donors (≥6 months post-nephrectomy; eGFR >30 mL/min/1.73 m²) were assigned to allopurinol versus placebo for 9 months to test whether uric acid lowering reduces left ventricular mass. The key finding was that the trial design and efficacy endpoint focused on changes in left ventricular mass as a surrogate for long-term cardiovascular risk after donation. This is significant because if allopurinol lowers left ventricular mass in donors, it would provide a targeted, urate-lowering strategy to mitigate post-donation cardiovascular remodeling risk.
Langberg NE, Jenssen TG, Hopp E et al. · Kidney360 · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Association of residential green space, blue space, and natural environment with the incident heart failure and cardiac morpho-functional phenotypes: a UK biobank-based prospective cohort and imaging study.
Using a UK Biobank prospective cohort imaging design, the study evaluated whether residential green space, blue space, and natural environment exposure are associated with incident heart failure and cardiac morpho-functional phenotypes in 437,429 participants free of baseline heart failure. Greater exposure to these environmental features showed measurable associations with cardiac structural/functional remodeling phenotypes and with subsequent incident heart failure risk (as quantified by land-cover percentages within defined spatial buffers). If confirmed, these findings identify modifiable neighborhood-level exposures that could inform prevention strategies for heart failure and guide future mechanistic research linking environment to cardiac remodeling.
Song Y, Lin Z, Chen X et al. · European journal of preventive cardiology · (2026) · 3 citations · View on PubMed ↗
Refractory Cardiac Sarcoidosis & Immunosuppression Failure
A Challenging Case of Advanced Cardiac Sarcoidosis Refractory to Infliximab Therapy.
This case report described a patient with advanced cardiac sarcoidosis whose disease remained refractory despite third-line immunosuppression with infliximab. The key clinical finding was lack of response to infliximab in active cardiac sarcoidosis, highlighting persistent disease activity despite escalation of therapy. The report emphasizes the need for ongoing multimodality assessment and alternative management strategies in refractory cardiac sarcoidosis.
Ibrahim M, Dulay MS, Wechalekar K et al. · Clinical case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
CMR Biomarkers of Myocardial Inflammation and Fibrosis Progression
Systolic Septal Curvature Ratio as a Cardiac MRI Marker of Right Ventricular Loading in Pediatric Congenital Heart Disease.
This retrospective study evaluated the cardiac MRI-derived systolic septal-to-free wall curvature ratio as a marker of right ventricular (RV) loading in 149 pediatric patients (2020–2025) across congenital heart disease subgroups. It found that septal curvature geometry quantified by this ratio varied with loading conditions and correlated with volumetric, functional, and hemodynamic measures better than standard global CMR remodeling parameters. The finding supports a more loading-sensitive CMR metric for assessing RV interdependence and hemodynamic burden in pediatric congenital heart disease.
Yucel IK, Kose KB, Ozyılmaz I et al. · Pediatric cardiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Advanced Cardiac Imaging Techniques for Detection of Myocardial Ischemia in Children with Coronary Artery Abnormalities.
This review studied advanced cardiac imaging approaches for detecting myocardial ischemia in children with non-atherosclerotic coronary artery abnormalities, including post–Kawasaki vasculopathy, transplant-related allograft vasculopathy, anomalous aortic origin of a coronary artery, and post–coronary reimplantation complications. It found that ischemia detection is particularly challenging due to atypical or absent symptoms and limitations of traditional screening (e.g., resting electrocardiography), motivating use of more specialized imaging strategies. Clinically, improved imaging workflows can enable earlier diagnosis of pediatric ischemia and potentially reduce risk of ventricular dysfunction and sudden cardiac death.
Jin JB, Williams JL, Wang SM et al. · Cardiology and therapy · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Late-onset radiation-induced myocardial fibrosis after lung cancer radiotherapy: correlation of cardiac MRI with radiation treatment planning CT.
This case report studied a 55-year-old man with prior left circumflex (LCx) STEMI who previously received external beam lung cancer radiotherapy and later underwent cardiac MRI for aortic regurgitation. It found nonischemic late gadolinium enhancement (LGE), valvular thickening, and pericardial effusion on CMR, and correlation with radiation treatment planning CT supported radiation-induced myocardial fibrosis despite the prior infarct history. The report is significant because it demonstrates how CMR–CT spatial correlation can distinguish radiation injury from ischemic scar in previously irradiated patients.
Masuodi B, Kataria S · The international journal of cardiovascular imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging predictors of outcomes in noncompaction cardiomyopathy: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
This systematic review and meta-analysis studied cardiac MRI (CMR) predictors of outcomes in patients with left ventricular noncompaction cardiomyopathy (NCCM) by pooling case-control evidence and comparing CMR structural parameters with controls and with major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE). It found that associations between specific CMR-derived structural measures and MACCE were inconsistent across studies, limiting firm conclusions about which imaging features reliably predict events. Scientifically, the work highlights the need for standardized CMR reporting and prospective outcome studies to establish robust prognostic biomarkers in NCCM.
Gegenava M, Nieman K, Caliskan K et al. · The international journal of cardiovascular imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Relapsing-Remitting Perimyocarditis and Emerging Acute Myeloid Leukemia.
This JACC Case Reports article studied a 66-year-old man with relapsing-remitting perimyocarditis that ultimately emerged as an initial presentation of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). It found that repeat CMR demonstrated biventricular dysfunction, new lateral wall late gadolinium enhancement, myocardial edema, and circumferential pericardial effusion, and endomyocardial biopsy confirmed severe lymphocytic myocarditis, with clinical improvement after colchicine when corticosteroid tapers failed. The case is significant because it underscores the need to consider occult hematologic malignancy in recurrent or steroid-refractory perimyocarditis with evolving CMR findings.
Zipperer-Giblin MB, Bowman JI, Patel N et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
The Dyspnea Dilemma: Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor-Associated Myocarditis Mimicking Overlapping Cardiac Pathologies-A Case Report.
This case report studied immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)–associated myocarditis in a 62-year-old woman with gallbladder adenocarcinoma receiving durvalumab plus gemcitabine and cisplatin. The patient’s presentation with dyspnea, edema, chest pain, elevated BNP/troponin, and overlapping cardiac features was attributed to fulminant ICI-associated myocarditis rather than coronary artery disease, chemotherapy-related cardiomyopathy, or malignancy complications. Clinically, it highlights the diagnostic challenge of ICI myocarditis that can mimic other cardiac pathologies and the need for prompt recognition in patients on durvalumab.
Javed N, Itare V, Ashraf S et al. · Case reports in cardiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Association of Angiotensin Receptor Neprilysin Inhibitors Duration with Latent Remodeling Following Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator Implantation.
This retrospective study investigated whether the duration of angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI) therapy before primary-prevention implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) implantation predicts latent left ventricular reverse remodeling in 75 patients with nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (NIDCM) and LVEF ≤35%. The key finding was an association between longer pre-ICD ARNI exposure and greater likelihood of latent LVRR after ICD implantation. Clinically, it suggests optimizing ARNI duration before device therapy may improve longer-term remodeling outcomes in NIDCM.
Lee J, Oh J, Kim D et al. · Heart rhythm · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Advanced imaging in systemic sclerosis: distinguishing activity from damage across organ systems.
This review studied how advanced imaging can distinguish active (potentially reversible) from damaged (irreversible) disease in systemic sclerosis (SSc) across organ systems. The key finding is a shift toward next-generation, quantitative and molecular imaging approaches—often using machine-learning-derived quantitative analysis—rather than relying on modalities that primarily depict structural damage (e.g., HRCT and echocardiography). Scientifically and clinically, this supports more accurate assessment of disease activity to guide treatment decisions and avoid overtreating established fibrosis.
Haussmann A, Volkmann ER · Current opinion in rheumatology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Chagas in Children Unmasked With Multimodality Imaging.
This case series reports three pediatric cases illustrating Chagas disease acquired in childhood and unmasked later as chronic cardiomyopathy risk, using multimodality cardiac imaging alongside treatment response to benznidazole. The key finding is that early benznidazole in acute myocarditis can lead to complete recovery, while other pediatric presentations can progress to severe cardiomyopathy phenotypes over time. This is significant because it links childhood infection to lifetime cardiac outcomes and supports early diagnosis and treatment to alter disease trajectory.
Hede SV, Prasad D · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Fulminant Eosinophilic Myocarditis After Sequential Biologic Therapy in Ulcerative Colitis.
This case report studied a 35-year-old man with ulcerative colitis who developed fulminant eosinophilic myocarditis after sequential biologic therapy (most recently vedolizumab) and corticosteroid withdrawal, using cardiac MRI and endomyocardial biopsy for diagnosis. The key finding is that cardiac MRI suggested diffuse myocardial involvement and endomyocardial biopsy confirmed eosinophilic myocarditis in the setting of hypereosinophilia and cardiogenic shock. Clinically, it underscores the need to consider eosinophilic myocarditis as a potentially life-threatening adverse immune phenomenon after biologic therapy changes.
Lee J, Kim D, Hong D et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Loeffler Endocarditis: Multimodality Imaging of a Common Cardiac Phenotype in Distinct Hypereosinophilic Syndromes.
This case report examined Loeffler endocarditis as a common cardiac phenotype across distinct hypereosinophilic syndromes, using multimodality imaging (including echocardiography and cardiac MRI with late gadolinium enhancement) to characterize endomyocardial fibrosis and intracardiac thrombosis. The key finding is that cardiac MRI can confirm fibrotic-stage disease by demonstrating diffuse subendocardial LGE and ventricular thrombi, enabling differentiation within hypereosinophilic presentations. This is significant because early multimodality recognition can prompt timely corticosteroid and anticoagulation strategies to reduce morbidity.
Salar T, Feitell S, Parikh V et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Hydroxychloroquine Cardiotoxicity Confirmed by Electron Microscopy: The Myocarditis Mimic.
This case report studied a 79-year-old woman with long-term hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) exposure who presented with a myocarditis mimic, using cardiac MRI, cardiac positron emission tomography (FDG-PET), and endomyocardial biopsy with electron microscopy. The key finding is that electron microscopy confirmed cardiomyocyte vacuolization consistent with HCQ cardiotoxicity, despite MRI findings resembling inflammatory myocarditis and FDG-PET uptake patterns that raised myocarditis concern. Scientifically and clinically, it highlights the importance of tissue diagnosis when HCQ cardiotoxicity can masquerade as myocarditis, guiding appropriate management.
Behr P, Paik KS, Park C et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Extensive Cardiac Involvement in ANCA-Associated Vasculitis Presenting With Severe Aortic Regurgitation and Atrioventricular Block.
This JACC Case Reports article describes a 53-year-old woman with ANCA-associated vasculitis presenting with severe aortic regurgitation and progressive high-grade atrioventricular block, evaluated using multimodality imaging including coronary angiography and cardiac MRI/other imaging to assess inflammatory involvement. The key finding is that imaging demonstrated inflammatory valvuloaortic thickening with cusp retraction, nonischemic septal LGE, and pericardial effusion in the absence of obstructive coronary disease. Clinically, it emphasizes that ANCA-associated vasculitis can cause severe inflammatory cardiac involvement and conduction disease, supporting early rheumatologic evaluation and targeted therapy.
David-Pardo DG, Reyes-T RE, Luna G et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Phenotypic Spectrum of Cardiac Involvement in Eosinophilic Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis.
This case report series characterized the phenotypic spectrum of cardiac involvement in three patients with eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA), using clinical assessment and cardiac imaging to distinguish reversible inflammatory cardiomyopathy from fibrotic and shock phenotypes. The key finding is that EGPA can present with distinct cardiac phenotypes—ranging from inflammation responsive to immunosuppression to irreversible fibrotic cardiomyopathy requiring mechanical circulatory support. This is significant because it suggests cardiac phenotype should inform prognosis and treatment intensity even when systemic disease activity varies.
Majeed Z, Manaila AS, Xu B et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Cardiac MR Characterization of Infarct-Related and Remote Myocardial Injury in Multivessel Disease After Acute Myocardial Infarction.
This retrospective study evaluated 224 post–acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients with multivessel disease (MVD) versus single-vessel disease (SVD) using cardiac MRI performed 31–90 days after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and stratified results by revascularization completeness. The key aim was to characterize infarct-related versus remote myocardial tissue properties and determine whether MVD is associated with diffuse myocardial injury beyond the infarct zone, including differences between complete versus incomplete revascularization. Clinically, the work supports using CMR tissue characterization to refine risk and mechanistic understanding of “remote” injury in patients with MVD after AMI.
Luo C, Jiang W, Mo C et al. · Journal of magnetic resonance imaging : JMRI · (2026) · 1 citations · View on PubMed ↗
Impact of Myocardial Fibrosis and Female Sex on Life-Threatening Arrhythmias and Sudden Cardiac Death in Mitral Valve Prolapse.
This prospective cohort study examined 550 consecutive patients with mitral valve prolapse (MVP) referred for cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) to determine how myocardial fibrosis (late gadolinium enhancement) and female sex independently relate to life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. The study design specifically tested whether fibrosis and female sex contribute independently to arrhythmic risk in an MVP population. If confirmed, the results would strengthen CMR-based risk stratification for malignant arrhythmias in MVP, particularly by clarifying the incremental prognostic value of female sex alongside fibrosis.
Darwish A, Nguyen DT, Songsangjinda T et al. · Circulation. Cardiovascular imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Cardiac Imaging Phenotypes in Systemic Inflammatory Disorders and Perspectives: What Have We Learned and Where Do We Need to Go Next?
This review studied cardiac imaging phenotypes across systemic inflammatory disorders by summarizing what has been learned about cardiovascular involvement and where future imaging research should focus. The key finding is that cardiac imaging is central for early detection, characterization, and longitudinal monitoring of cardiovascular manifestations in systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases, which are often subclinical and confounded by other disease features. The scientific significance is a pathophysiology-driven framework to guide next-generation imaging targets and improve diagnosis and risk stratification in these multisystem conditions.
Buch MH, Plein S · Journal of the American Heart Association · (2026) · 1 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Cardiac Magnetic Resonance-Derived Parametric Mapping Radiomics for Prediction of Left Ventricular Reverse Remodeling in Patients With Dilated Cardiomyopathy.
This retrospective study investigated whether CMR-derived parametric mapping radiomics can predict left ventricular reverse remodeling (LVRR) in 74 patients with nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy treated with optimized medical therapy. The key finding was that radiomic scores (RadScores) computed from high-dimensional quantitative features extracted from CMR parametric mapping images were evaluated as predictors of LVRR, defined as LVEF ≥40% with ≥10% increase at least 180 days after CMR. Clinically, if validated, this approach could enable noninvasive, imaging-based prediction of which patients will reverse remodel and benefit from continued therapy.
Ide S, Ohtani T, Takao T et al. · Journal of the American Heart Association · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
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 (hiPSC)-derived committed cardiac progenitors (CCPs) delivered by 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 key finding was that the CCP+cECM strategy produced cardiac tissue grafts and improved contractility while not inducing ventricular arrhythmias in the swine model. Scientifically, it advances the safety profile of hiPSC-derived cardiac cell therapies by addressing a major arrhythmia risk associated with post-infarct cell grafting.
Raval AN, Schmuck EG, Leonov V et al. · Journal of the American Heart Association · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Myocardial fibrosis in patients with coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus assessed by cardiovascular magnetic resonance T1 mapping.
This clinical CMR study used T1 mapping to quantify myocardial fibrosis in 146 patients with coronary heart disease (CHD), stratified into CHD without diabetes (CHD[DM−], n=96) and CHD with diabetes (CHD[DM+], n=50), and further subdivided by presence of heart failure. The key finding was that myocardial fibrosis burden assessed by CMR T1 mapping differed by diabetes status (and related clinical subgrouping), indicating more adverse myocardial tissue characteristics in CHD patients with diabetes. This matters because CMR T1-mapping fibrosis quantification could improve risk stratification and mechanistic understanding of diabetic cardiomyopathy in CHD.
Deng J, Liao B, Huang H et al. · The international journal of cardiovascular imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Cardiac magnetic resonance parametric mapping in patients with thalassemia: Clinical insights into native myocardial T1 mapping and its relationship with T2*. A systematic review.
This systematic review evaluated evidence for cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) native T1 mapping in thalassemia patients, focusing on how it relates to the established myocardial iron quantification method CMR T2*. The key finding was that native T1 mapping may detect earlier or complementary myocardial iron-related changes compared with T2*, and the review synthesized the available comparative data on T1–T2* relationships. Scientifically, this supports refining noninvasive myocardial iron assessment in thalassemia, potentially improving early detection of cardiac involvement.
Pegoraro N, Carnevale A, Bisi R et al. · The international journal of cardiovascular imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Evaluation of Right Ventricular Size Metrics Measured with Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Patients with Pulmonary Regurgitation.
This retrospective pediatric cardiology study reviewed clinically obtained CMR exams in patients with repaired congenital heart disease and pulmonary regurgitation (PR fraction ≥15%) to evaluate right ventricular (RV) size metrics, particularly how RV end-diastolic volume (EDV) indexing methods perform. The key finding was that alternative normalization of RV EDV—indexing to left ventricular EDV rather than body surface area or using RV EDV Z-scores—may better account for individual patient circumstances when guiding pulmonary valve replacement (PVR). Clinically, improving RV volume normalization could make PVR timing thresholds more sensitive and patient-specific in children with PR.
Jaggi A, Zhang Y, Maskatia SA et al. · Pediatric cardiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Cardiac MRI reveals myocardial fibrosis and systolic dysfunction in mitochondrial trifunctional protein-deficient mice.
This preclinical study used multiparametric cardiac MRI (CMR) together with cardiac histology and automated whole-slide collagen quantification to characterize myocardial structure, function, and tissue characteristics in mitochondrial trifunctional protein (TFP) deficiency mice carrying the TFP β-subunit mutation p.Met404Lys (βTFP-deficient). The key finding was that βTFP-deficient mice develop myocardial fibrosis with collagen deposition alongside CMR-detected abnormalities in cardiac function and tissue properties. This matters because it provides an imaging-validated mouse model for studying cardiomyopathy mechanisms in fatty acid oxidation disorders and for testing potential therapies.
Vieira Neto E, Basu S, Becker-Szurszewski TJ et al. · Disease models & mechanisms · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Myocardial inflammation and scar expansion in patients with Anderson-Fabry disease.
This retrospective single-center pilot study in Anderson-Fabry disease analyzed 131 paired cardiac MRI scans (1.5T) to test whether myocardial inflammation measured by CMR T2 mapping (T2m) relates to cardiac damage progression measured by late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) expansion. The study found an association between higher myocardial inflammation (T2m) and subsequent or concurrent expansion of LGE, indicating progression of cardiac injury across disease stages. These results support myocardial T2 mapping as a potential imaging biomarker for tracking inflammatory activity and predicting scar progression in Anderson-Fabry cardiomyopathy.
Torlasco C, Ditaranto R, Schiavo MA et al. · Journal of cardiovascular magnetic resonance : official journal of the Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Deep Learning & Automated Segmentation in Cardiac MRI/MRE
Toward self-contained cardiac magnetic resonance elastography: Deep learning-based segmentation of the left ventricular myocardium.
The study evaluated deep learning approaches for left ventricular (LV) myocardium segmentation using native cardiac magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) data from 16 healthy male volunteers. It found that segmentation performance depends on the input representation and the degree of automation, and that native cardiac MRE alone may be sufficient for reliable automated LV delineation without relying on additional structural MRI. This supports moving toward self-contained cardiac MRE workflows that reduce manual annotation burden and enable broader clinical adoption of myocardial stiffness assessment.
Atamaniuk V, Anders M, Obrzut M et al. · Magnetic resonance imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Autonomous Velocity Encoding (VENC) Selection Improves Precision of Quantitative Flow Measurement.
This study evaluated an Autonomous Velocity Encoding (VENC) selection workflow for phase-contrast MRI flow quantification in a retrospective cohort of 254 scans from 113 patients and 18 healthy volunteers, plus a prospective cohort of 5 patients with abnormal flow. It found that automatically selecting the optimal VENC without technologist input improved precision of quantitative flow measurements (and could reduce scan time) compared with manual or suboptimal VENC settings. The significance is that automated VENC optimization can make quantitative flow MRI more accurate and scalable for clinical and research use.
Daudé P, Ramasawmy R, Mancini C et al. · Journal of magnetic resonance imaging : JMRI · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Assessment and validation of the established free-running framework for cardiac function by magnetic resonance imaging at 1.5T (FAST-CMR): an international multi-center, multi-vendor study.
This international multi-center, multi-vendor study evaluated and validated the free-running framework for cardiac function by MRI at 1.5T (FAST-CMR) in clinical imaging workflows. The key finding was that FAST-CMR’s free-running approach enabled respiratory and cardiac motion–resolved whole-heart imaging without ECG gating, breath-holds, or expert scan-plane planning, while maintaining clinically usable cardiac function assessment performance across sites and vendors. This is scientifically and clinically important because it reduces operational barriers to CMR adoption and supports broader routine use of quantitative cardiac function imaging.
Eyre K, Kaya K, Coudert T et al. · Journal of cardiovascular magnetic resonance : official journal of the Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Comparison of Amplitude- and Amplitude-Frequency-Modulated Pulses for Outer Volume Suppression in Cardiac MRI: Application to Myocardial T 2 Mapping.
This Magnetic Resonance in Medicine study evaluated outer volume suppression (OVS) pulse designs for cardiac MRI at 3T, comparing amplitude-modulated (AM) versus amplitude-frequency-modulated (AM-FM) pulses for time-efficient reduced-FOV myocardial T2 mapping. The key finding was that optimized AM and AM-FM single- and dual-band OVS modules (including AM sinc and AM-FM hyperbolic secant variants) achieved effective suppression of extra-cardiac signal with suitable suppression-band profiles for myocardial T2 mapping. This is significant because improved OVS can enable faster, more robust quantitative T2 mapping in routine cardiac MRI.
Arami A, Božić-Iven M, van de Steeg-Henzen C et al. · Magnetic resonance in medicine · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Reverse Imaging: Any-Sequence Generalization for Cardiac MRI Segmentation.
The study developed and evaluated “Reverse Imaging,” a physics-driven data augmentation and domain generalization framework for cardiac MRI segmentation across different imaging sequences, using tissue-property components (M0, T1, T2) inferred via a regularized nonlinear inverse problem. The key finding is that modeling sequence contrast as variations governed by shared tissue properties enables any-sequence generalization of pretrained segmentation models, improving robustness to protocol-induced contrast shifts. This is significant because it reduces the need for sequence-specific retraining in cardiac MRI segmentation, potentially improving clinical deployment across scanners and protocols.
Zhao Y, Zhang Y, Yang T et al. · IEEE transactions on medical imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Correlation of seismocardiography variables with echocardiographic and cardiac magnetic resonance measurements.
This study assessed correlations between seismocardiography (SCG) variables and systolic/diastolic function markers measured by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) in 26 adults (11 healthy and 15 with cardiovascular disease). The key finding was that SCG-derived mechanical vibration metrics show measurable associations with established imaging-based functional parameters from TTE/CMR. Scientifically, this supports SCG as a potential low-cost, wearable adjunct for cardiac function assessment, though validation against imaging endpoints is essential.
Agam A, Korsgaard E, Kristensen CB et al. · Biomedical physics & engineering express · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Computational Hemodynamics After Aortic Surgery (FSI)
From Case Studies to Cohort of Patients: Automating FSI Simulations to Uncover Downstream Effects of Ascending Aortic Grafts.
The study developed a fully automated patient-specific fluid-structure interaction (FSI) simulation pipeline to quantify downstream hemodynamic effects after ascending aortic repair with synthetic Dacron grafts. It found that graft–native aortic compliance mismatch can be propagated through the automated FSI framework to predict altered flow patterns that may contribute to downstream descending aortic dissection and adverse vascular remodeling. This provides a scalable computational tool to better anticipate post-operative complications and potentially guide graft selection or surgical planning.
Ianniruberto I, Astori D, Saitta S et al. · Annals of biomedical engineering · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Cardiac Mass Mimics: Thrombus vs Metastasis and Anticoagulation Response
Intracardiac Thrombi Mimicking Cardiac Metastases in a Patient With Lung Adenocarcinoma.
The case report studied a 50-year-old man with lung adenocarcinoma and persistent right-sided intracardiac masses that initially raised concern for cardiac metastases on cardiac magnetic resonance. Histopathology after excision showed an organizing thrombus, and the remaining ventricular lesion resolved after 1 month of therapeutic enoxaparin. Clinically, it highlights that cancer-associated intracardiac thrombi can mimic metastatic disease on CMR, so anticoagulation response and tissue diagnosis are critical when imaging features overlap.
Lembo M, De Vivo R, La Mura L et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Primary Cardiac Leiomyosarcoma in a Young Patient: A Therapeutic Challenge.
This JACC Case Reports article studied a 29-year-old man with primary cardiac leiomyosarcoma, a rare aggressive cardiac malignancy. Diagnosis was achieved using cardiac magnetic resonance and positron emission tomography followed by histopathology and immunohistochemistry, and the patient remained alive at 20 months while receiving systemic therapy. The report is significant because it underscores the diagnostic and therapeutic uncertainty in primary cardiac leiomyosarcoma and documents a potential treatment course in a young patient.
Calzadilla-Gutierrez HR, Blanco-Adrian N, Vaca-Villarroel JM et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Left Atrial Myopathy in HFpEF and Pediatric LA Dysfunction
Left Atrial Myopathy as a Phenotypic Axis in HFpEF: Implications for Pulmonary Hypertension, Exercise Intolerance, and Targeted Therapy.
This review examined left atrial (LA) myopathy as a phenotypic/mechanistic axis in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and its implications for pulmonary hypertension, exercise intolerance, and targeted therapy. It concluded that LA myopathy—encompassing structural remodeling, fibrosis, impaired compliance, and electrical dysfunction—may be central to HFpEF heterogeneity rather than only a secondary effect of elevated LV filling pressures. Scientifically, this reframes HFpEF stratification toward LA-targeted phenotypes, potentially enabling more precise therapeutic approaches for patients with pulmonary hypertension and exercise limitation.
Jabeen M, Younas S, Majid A et al. · Cardiology in review · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Left Atrial Myopathy Across the Spectrum of Pediatric Heart Disease: Imaging, Mechanobiology, and Clinical Consequences.
This review studied left atrial (LA) myopathy across pediatric heart disease, synthesizing evidence from pediatric congenital and acquired cardiac populations using advanced cardiac imaging (including speckle-tracking) and mechanobiology concepts. It found that LA dysfunction—reflecting active biomechanical impairment rather than passive conduit behavior—often emerges early and can precede overt ventricular dysfunction, potentially serving as an early reversible marker of cardiovascular injury. Clinically, recognizing LA mechanical abnormalities may improve early risk stratification and guide monitoring in children with evolving ventricular and hemodynamic stress.
Muqaddas R, Nawaz S, Ali S et al. · Cardiology in review · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Characteristics and Clinical Features of Mitral Annular Disjunction in the Pediatric Population.
This retrospective pediatric study evaluated clinical and laboratory characteristics of mitral annular disjunction (MAD) detected by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) in 27 children aged 5–17 years, and additionally assessed the Pickelhaube sign using tissue Doppler imaging, with cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) and 24-hour Holter ECG monitoring. The key finding was the characterization of MAD-associated echocardiographic features (including Pickelhaube sign) and associated rhythm/CMR findings in this pediatric cohort. Clinically, defining MAD phenotypes in children may improve recognition of mitral valve prolapse–related risk and guide follow-up strategies using multimodality imaging and ambulatory ECG.
Şahin ŞT, Elçioğlu BC, Gümüş T et al. · Journal of clinical ultrasound : JCU · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Genotype-Phenotype Discordance in Cardiomyopathy Risk Stratification
Compound MYH7 Mutations: Risk Stratification Challenges in an Affected Family.
The case report studied genotype-positive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) risk stratification in a family with compound MYH7 mutations, focusing on a 54-year-old man with borderline phenotype. The patient carried only one of two pathogenic MYH7 variants identified in his daughter (Ala655Thr and Gly571Arg), and he had mild septal hypertrophy with nonsustained ventricular tachycardia despite being asymptomatic. The report underscores the challenge of sudden cardiac death (SCD) risk prediction when MYH7 variant combinations and phenotypic expression are discordant within families.
Hammad A, Yeung A, Goldschmidt H et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Recurrent Nonischemic Left Ventricular Aneurysms: A Cardiac MRI-Driven Diagnosis in a DES Variant Carrier.
This JACC Case Reports article describes a 24-year-old man carrying a DES variant who developed recurrent nonischemic left ventricular aneurysms, diagnosed using serial cardiac MRI and correlated with coronary imaging and prior postoperative findings. The key finding is that CMR detected a new inferolateral basal aneurysm five years after surgery in a region previously normal, with imaging features consistent with a true aneurysm despite normal coronary arteries. Scientifically and clinically, it highlights CMR’s value for longitudinal detection of evolving cardiomyopathy-related aneurysms in DES variant carriers and supports CMR-driven re-evaluation when VT recurs.
Garcia NP, Forti D, Tassine Penatti LA et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Ten Years of Scientific Discovery With the UK Biobank Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study.
This article reviewed the UK Biobank cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging study, which generated CMR data in 100,000 participants linked to genetic, demographic, lifestyle, and clinical information. The key finding is that large-scale, standardized CMR phenotyping at this scale has enabled transformative discoveries across genomics, epidemiology, and biomedical engineering and has served as a global blueprint for population imaging cohorts. Scientifically, it underscores how equitable data access and international collaboration can accelerate cardiovascular imaging research and translation.
Raisi-Estabragh Z, Petersen SE, Neubauer S · Circulation · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Left Ventricular Hypertrabeculation and Prognosis in Dilated Cardiomyopathy.
This multicenter study evaluated 1,160 patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) who underwent CMR and genetic testing (997 with genetic data) to assess whether left ventricular (LV) hypertrabeculation (formerly LV noncompaction) predicts embolic risk and how prognostic relevance varies across DCM genotypes. The key finding (as framed by the study’s results section) was that LV hypertrabeculation had prognostic implications for embolic events and/or adverse outcomes in DCM, with effects potentially differing by genotype. Clinically, the work supports incorporating CMR-defined hypertrabeculation into genotype-aware risk assessment for embolic and arrhythmic complications in DCM.
Mora-Ayestarán N, Ramos-Lopez N, Ochoa JP et al. · Circulation · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Prevalence and Determinants of Asymmetric Septal Hypertrophy (ASH) in Diseases of Left Ventricular Hypertrophy (LVH).
This study quantified the prevalence and determinants of asymmetric septal hypertrophy (ASH) across conditions associated with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) by analyzing two datasets: a UK Biobank healthy cohort (n=4,020) and a multi-cohort clinical CMR dataset (n=1,655) including hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, hypertension, aortic stenosis, Fabry disease, AL amyloidosis, and ATTR. The key finding was that ASH prevalence and the septal-to-lateral wall thickness ratio (SLR) vary systematically with demographic factors and underlying LVH disease categories. This is significant because it helps define when ASH is likely a disease-specific pattern versus a background imaging finding, improving interpretation of CMR in LVH evaluation.
Shiwani H, Augusto J, Topriceanu CC et al. · European heart journal. Cardiovascular Imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Multimodality Imaging of Coronary Plaque Biology Under Statins
Characterization of intraplaque haemorrhage in statin-treated patients with stable coronary artery disease: multi-modality imaging with non-contrast T1-weighted cardiac magnetic resonance, optical coherence tomography, and near-infrared spectroscopy.
The study characterized residual intraplaque hemorrhage in statin-treated stable coronary artery disease using multi-modality imaging: non-contrast T1-weighted cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), optical coherence tomography (OCT), and near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) with intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). In 121 statin-treated patients (161 target and 142 non-target lesions), it focused on plaques with plaque-to-myocardium ratio (PMR) ≥1.0 on CMR and compared detailed plaque features across modalities to explain why PMR remained elevated despite statin therapy. This is significant because it refines understanding of ongoing high-risk plaque biology under statins and may improve interpretation of CMR PMR as a marker of intraplaque hemorrhage.
Nakata J, Hosoda H, Kataoka Y et al. · European heart journal. Imaging methods and practice · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Non-ACS Mimics of Acute Coronary Syndrome (Endocrine/Thrombotic)
When chest pain and troponin elevation aren’t acute coronary syndrome: a cardiovascular case report of atypical pheochromocytoma.
This cardiovascular case report studied a 44-year-old woman with pheochromocytoma presenting with chest pain and troponin elevation that initially mimicked acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Despite ECG changes and markedly elevated high-sensitivity troponin leading to an initial NSTEMI diagnosis, urgent coronary angiography showed angiographically normal coronary arteries. The case is clinically important because it emphasizes that catecholamine-secreting tumors like pheochromocytoma can produce ACS-like presentations, and early consideration can prevent diagnostic delay.
Achour F, Cherkaoui S, Zarzour J et al. · European heart journal. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Apical-to-Mid-Ventricular Phenotypic Shift in Recurrent Takotsubo Syndrome After Minor Trauma.
This JACC Case Reports report studied recurrent Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) phenotype in an 84-year-old woman after minor blunt chest trauma. Unlike her prior classic apical ballooning, imaging showed a mid-ventricular variant with mid-ventricular akinesia and a hyperkinetic apex, with coronary angiography excluding obstructive disease and cardiac magnetic resonance supporting TTS. Scientifically and clinically, it emphasizes that trauma can trigger atypical TTS phenotypes during recurrence, which can affect diagnosis and management.
Khoury F, Chandi M, Johal M et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Takotsubo-Like Syndrome Due to Microvascular Dysfunction in a Transgender Woman Under Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy.
This case report studied Takotsubo-like syndrome in a 45-year-old Black transgender woman receiving long-term estrogen therapy. After chest pain progressed to ventricular fibrillation and cardiac arrest, coronary angiography showed no epicardial obstruction with apical akinesia, while cardiac magnetic resonance demonstrated transmural infarction with extensive microvascular obstruction. The clinical significance is that hormone therapy may be associated with a Takotsubo-like presentation driven by microvascular dysfunction, which can mimic myocardial infarction and requires careful imaging-based differentiation.
Silva PG, García Mejía HP, de Paula Morales KR et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Probable Antiphospholipid Syndrome Causing Biventricular Thrombi and Cardiogenic Shock.
This case report studied a 70-year-old woman with recent Takotsubo cardiomyopathy who developed cardiogenic shock due to probable antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) with large biventricular intracardiac thrombi. Imaging showed extensive biventricular thrombus burden and laboratory testing supported probable APS, but despite inotropic support and anticoagulation she could not be weaned and chose hospice care. The report highlights the diagnostic uncertainty and limited evidence for managing rare, life-threatening biventricular thrombosis in suspected APS presenting as cardiogenic shock.
Contractor P, Deng J, O’Neill LP et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Focal Myocardial Fibrosis Mimicking Hypertrophy in INOCA and the Energetic Cost of Supranormal Ejection Fraction.
This case report studied a 72-year-old postmenopausal woman with ischemia with nonobstructive coronary arteries (INOCA) in whom coronary vasospasm was evaluated using acetylcholine provocation testing and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR). Acetylcholine testing demonstrated epicardial and microvascular spasm, while CMR showed focal late gadolinium enhancement in the interventricular septum consistent with replacement fibrosis that mimicked hypertrophy, alongside a supranormal ejection fraction (~79%). The findings emphasize that vasospasm-related myocardial injury can produce focal fibrotic remodeling detectable by CMR and may alter energetic/functional interpretation of “supranormal” systolic performance.
Nguyen TH, Nakamura T, Sato A · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Surgical/Device Learning Curves and Training for Robotic Platforms
Learning curve of Versius-assisted radical prostatectomy: role of prior experience and proctoring.
The prospective cohort study assessed the learning curve for Versius-assisted radical prostatectomy in patients with localized prostate cancer, examining how prior robotic/laparoscopic experience and structured proctoring affected performance. It found that surgeon background and proctoring influenced objective proficiency metrics (e.g., console time and novel hand motion volumetry), indicating that experience transfer and supervision can accelerate attainment of competence. This is significant for safely scaling adoption of the Versius robotic platform by defining training and proctoring needs.
Fernández-Conejo G, González Álvarez C, Del Olmo Durán P et al. · BJU international · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Exercise Testing to Unmask Arrhythmias in Cardiomyopathy Gene Carriers
Exercise-induced ventricular arrhythmias: a marker of risk in arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy.
The study evaluated exercise-induced ventricular arrhythmias (EIVAs) as a risk marker in arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) by retrospectively analyzing patients with definitive ACM and individuals carrying pathogenic/likely pathogenic (P/LP) ACM gene variants with negative or borderline phenotypes. It stratified participants into lower- vs higher-exercise groups based on exercise intensity and adjudicated EIVAs during exercise testing to determine prevalence and prognostic significance. The findings support using exercise testing to unmask latent electrical instability and improve risk stratification in ACM gene carriers and early/low-phenotype patients.
Mengozzi L, Sriskandarajah R, Minopoli C et al. · Heart (British Cardiac Society) · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Cardiac magnetic resonance parameters and ventricular tachycardia recurrence after catheter ablation: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
This systematic review and meta-analysis assessed whether cardiac MRI (CMR) parameters—including LVEF, LV mass, ventricular volumes, and late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) structural features—predict ventricular tachycardia (VT) recurrence after catheter ablation in patients with and without recurrent VT. The key finding is that CMR-derived functional and structural measures are associated with post-ablation VT recurrence, supporting CMR as a prognostic tool for arrhythmogenic substrate characterization. Clinically, this could help risk-stratify patients after VT ablation and guide decisions about surveillance and adjunctive therapies.
Deaconu A, Abdin A, Bistriceanu MIA et al. · Journal of interventional cardiac electrophysiology : an international journal of arrhythmias and pacing · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Wide Complex Tachycardia of Uncertain Origin: Demonstration of Atrioventricular Dissociation by Doppler Echocardiography.
This case report studied a 72-year-old woman with wide complex tachycardia (WCT) of uncertain origin, using Doppler echocardiography to demonstrate atrioventricular dissociation and guide diagnostic reasoning. The key finding is that Doppler echocardiography provided evidence of AV dissociation, helping clarify the mechanism behind the WCT when initial cardioversion and subsequent management were limited by comorbidities and stroke risk. Clinically, this demonstrates how Doppler echocardiography can be pivotal for arrhythmia mechanism determination in complex WCT presentations.
Khattab A, Timmerman C, Kee A et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Public Health Surveillance Data Choices (Equity/Trends)
Data-source choice in diabetes mortality surveillance and equity monitoring in the United States, 1999-2023.
The study compared data-source choices for diabetes mortality surveillance and equity monitoring in the United States from 1999–2023, contrasting CDC WONDER versus Global Burden of Disease 2023 (GBD 2023) across 51 jurisdictions. It found that conclusions about mortality trends, high-burden classification, and income-related inequality can differ depending on the data source, with measurable discrepancies assessed using concordance, Joinpoint regression, mixed-effects models, Moran’s I, and inequality indices. This is important for public health decision-making because selecting surveillance datasets can change which areas and populations are identified as most affected.
Li WJ, Tao SS, Wang P et al. · Diabetes research and clinical practice · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Cardiac Amyloidosis (AL/ATTR) and Vascular-Coupled Phenotypes
Iron overload cardiomyopathy.
This review studied iron overload cardiomyopathy (IOC) in patients with hereditary haemochromatosis and transfusion-dependent haemoglobinopathies, focusing on cellular iron entry and downstream injury pathways. It found that excess non-transferrin-bound iron enters cardiomyocytes via L-type and T-type calcium channels, divalent metal transporter 1, and ZIP14, driving oxidative stress (Fenton reaction), mitochondrial dysfunction, calcium dysregulation, and ferroptosis. Scientifically and clinically, the mechanistic links support targeted prevention and treatment strategies to reduce iron-mediated cardiotoxicity and its progression to heart failure.
Papingiotis G, Mantzourani M, Gogas H et al. · Heart failure reviews · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Cardiac Amyloidosis: Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, and Treatment.
This narrative review studied the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of cardiac amyloidosis, emphasizing systemic protein misfolding into beta-pleated sheet fibrils and interstitial deposition. It found that cardiac involvement is most commonly due to light-chain (AL) and transthyretin (ATTR) amyloidosis and summarized contemporary diagnostic evaluation and treatment developments. Clinically, the review supports updated diagnostic pathways and emerging therapies to improve outcomes in a condition with substantial under-recognition.
Beckmann S, Akin I, Haghikia A et al. · Deutsches Arzteblatt international · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Tricuspid regurgitation: standardized stepwise work-up from referral to expert heart valve centre.
This review studied a standardized stepwise work-up for tricuspid regurgitation (TR) from referral to an expert heart valve centre, integrating etiology, disease stage, comorbidities, operative risk, and anatomical feasibility. It found that a structured multimodal assessment approach is necessary to select appropriate surgical or transcatheter therapy rather than relying on conservative management alone. The significance is that standardized evaluation can improve treatment selection and outcomes in a historically neglected TR population.
Dreyfus J, Praz F, Hahn R et al. · European heart journal · (2026) · 2 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Arterial-myocardial coupling in primary light chain amyloidosis: A prospective observational study of vascular involvement.
This prospective observational study examined vascular-cardiac interactions in 151 newly diagnosed patients with primary light chain (AL) amyloidosis using peripheral vascular assessment (flow-mediated dilation and pulse wave velocity) and cardiac imaging (transthoracic echocardiography for all, cardiac magnetic resonance in 59). The study found associations between vascular markers (including pulse wave velocity) and measures of ventricular–arterial coupling and cardiac involvement, supporting a role for vascular dysfunction in AL amyloidosis beyond classic myocardial infiltration. The findings are significant because they suggest vascular involvement may independently influence prognosis and could become a target for risk stratification or therapy.
Briasoulis A, Patras R, Delialis D et al. · Journal of human hypertension · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Cardiac Tamponade From Lymphocytic Constrictive Pericarditis in Primary AL Amyloidosis Without Myocardial Involvement.
This JACC Case Reports article studied cardiac tamponade caused by lymphocytic constrictive pericarditis in a 69-year-old man with primary AL amyloidosis without myocardial involvement. Pericardiocentesis and pericardial biopsy showed lymphocytic effusion without cardiac amyloid, and later biopsy of a prevertebral mass revealed amyloid deposition confirming systemic AL amyloidosis. The significance is that it documents an exceptionally rare presentation where constrictive pericarditis and tamponade are the sole cardiac manifestations, informing diagnostic evaluation in suspected AL amyloidosis.
Leong YH, Teo Z, Sng ECY et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Imaging Modalities Related to Cardiac Involvement in Systemic Sclerosis.
This review studied cardiac involvement in systemic sclerosis (SSc) by synthesizing evidence on imaging modalities used to detect microvasculopathy, inflammation, and fibrosis across the heart. The key finding is that multimodality cardiac imaging (including echocardiography and CMR, among others) provides phenotype-level characterization of SSc cardiac disease, despite wide interpatient variability in severity. Scientifically, it supports imaging-driven detection and monitoring strategies to address the high morbidity and mortality burden of SSc-related cardiac inflammation and fibrosis.
Markousis-Mavrogenis G, Sfikakis PP, Matucci-Cerinic M et al. · Journal of the American Heart Association · (2026) · 1 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Temporal shifts in diagnostic testing for cardiac amyloidosis across U.S. health systems.
This retrospective descriptive analysis used the TriNetX U.S. Collaborative Network to evaluate temporal trends in diagnostic testing for cardiac transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTR-CM) from January 2017 to November 2025, identifying wild-type or hereditary ATTR-CM while excluding light-chain amyloidosis and plasma cell dyscrasias. The key finding was that the use of diagnostic modalities—particularly technetium-99m (Tc-99m) bone scintigraphy, cardiac MRI (CMR), and biopsy—changed over time across U.S. health systems. This is significant because shifting diagnostic pathways can affect time-to-diagnosis, patient selection for therapy, and real-world implementation of guideline-based ATTR-CM workups.
Motairek I, Abadie B, Higgins A et al. · EJNMMI reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Generated automatically on August 09, 2026. Covers PubMed articles published August 02, 2026 – August 09, 2026. Summaries are AI-generated; always consult the original publication for clinical or research decisions.