What's New in Cardiac MRI? — August 11, 2026
AI-summarised digest of 56 PubMed articles on Cardiac MRI published in the last 7 days.
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What’s New in Cardiac MRI?
August 11, 2026 · 56 articles · 15 research themes · covering August 04, 2026 – August 11, 2026
Overview
Across this week’s set of studies and reviews, a dominant theme is the rapid expansion of cardiac MRI from a diagnostic tool into a scalable, mechanism-aware platform. Large cohort infrastructure (e.g., UK Biobank CMR) and multiple methodological advances—physics optimization, automated segmentation, domain-generalization for segmentation across sequences, and faster non–ECG-gated acquisition—are converging to make high-quality CMR more reproducible and easier to deploy across sites and protocols. In parallel, quantitative approaches such as radiomics and parametric mapping are increasingly being linked to clinically meaningful endpoints like left ventricular reverse remodeling and post-ablation ventricular tachycardia recurrence.
A second major theme is precision phenotyping of cardiomyopathies and inflammatory or infiltrative diseases using multimodality imaging. Several articles focus on identifying high-risk subgroups defined by genetics (e.g., DCM hypertrabeculation, arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy exercise-induced instability, HCM genotype/phenotype discordance) or by disease mechanism (e.g., Takotsubo-like microvascular injury, radiation-related myocardial fibrosis, and residual plaque hemorrhage despite statin therapy). Reviews and case-based reports in systemic inflammatory rheumatic disease and eosinophilic syndromes emphasize that cardiac involvement is often subclinical or mimics other pathologies—making advanced imaging critical for distinguishing reversible activity from irreversible damage and for guiding urgent, mechanism-targeted management.
Finally, the digest highlights growing attention to safety and translational risk: preclinical cell therapy strategies aim to improve function without provoking arrhythmias; immune- and drug-related myocarditis/cardiotoxicity cases stress the need for careful differentiation (including biopsy and advanced imaging); and thromboembolic or hypercoagulable presentations show how imaging can both mislead (e.g., thrombus mimicking metastasis) and correctly redirect care (e.g., APS-related biventricular thrombosis). Together, these studies point toward an integrated future where imaging, computation, and clinical context jointly enable earlier diagnosis, better risk stratification, and more tailored therapies.
Cardiac MRI cohort infrastructure & population imaging
Data-source choice in diabetes mortality surveillance and equity monitoring in the United States, 1999-2023.
This analysis studied how choice of data source affects diabetes mortality surveillance and equity monitoring in the United States from 1999–2023 by comparing CDC WONDER versus Global Burden of Disease 2023 (GBD 2023) across 51 jurisdictions. Using concordance analysis, Joinpoint regression, mixed-effects models, Moran’s I, and inequality metrics (slope index of inequality and concentration index), the authors evaluated agreement on mortality trends, high-burden classification, spatial patterns, and income-related disparities. The findings are significant for public health policy because they show whether conclusions about diabetes mortality and inequities depend on the surveillance dataset used.
Li WJ, Tao SS, Wang P et al. · Diabetes research and clinical practice · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Ten Years of Scientific Discovery With the UK Biobank Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study.
This article describes the UK Biobank cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging substudy in ~100,000 participants, linked to genetic, demographic, lifestyle, and clinical data. The key finding is that large-scale CMR phenotyping at this scale has enabled major advances across cardiovascular genomics, epidemiology, and biomedical engineering while demonstrating an equitable, globally collaborative data-access model. Scientifically, it establishes a blueprint for population imaging cohorts and shows how standardized CMR can accelerate discovery in human cardiovascular disease.
Raisi-Estabragh Z, Petersen SE, Neubauer S · Circulation · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) genetics, risk, and reverse remodeling
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) structural parameters in patients with left ventricular noncompaction cardiomyopathy (NCCM) compared with controls, and assessed associations with major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) using published case-control studies. The key finding was that CMR-derived characteristics in NCCM show inconsistent relationships with MACCE across studies, motivating a more standardized synthesis of prognostic CMR markers. Scientifically, it clarifies the current evidence gaps for using CMR metrics to risk-stratify NCCM patients and supports future harmonized prognostic studies.
Gegenava M, Nieman K, Caliskan K et al. · The international journal of cardiovascular imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Association of Angiotensin Receptor Neprilysin Inhibitors Duration with Latent Remodeling Following Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator Implantation.
This retrospective study evaluated 75 nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy patients with LVEF ≤35% who received angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitors (ARNI) before primary-prevention implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) implantation, assessing how ARNI exposure duration related to latent left ventricular reverse remodeling (LVRR) after ICD. Longer pre-ICD ARNI duration was associated with greater likelihood of post-implant latent LVRR. These findings suggest that extending ARNI therapy before ICD implantation may improve longer-term remodeling trajectories in NIDCM patients.
Lee J, Oh J, Kim D et al. · Heart rhythm · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Left Ventricular Hypertrabeculation and Prognosis in Dilated Cardiomyopathy.
This study evaluated embolic risk and prognosis in 1,160 patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) using cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and genetic testing, stratified by the presence of left ventricular (LV) hypertrabeculation (formerly LV noncompaction) across DCM genotypes. The key finding is that LV hypertrabeculation identifies a subgroup with worse clinical outcomes, with prognostic relevance varying by DCM genetic background. Clinically, CMR-based assessment of hypertrabeculation could refine risk stratification for embolic events and major arrhythmias in genetically defined DCM.
Mora-Ayestarán N, Ramos-Lopez N, Ochoa JP et al. · Circulation · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Cardiac imaging in systemic sclerosis and systemic inflammatory rheumatic diseases
Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction: a systematic review of clinical practice guidelines and recommendations.
This systematic review evaluated international clinical practice guidelines for diagnosis and management of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) in adults, using MEDLINE/EMBASE searches (10 Nov 2024) and AGREE II appraisal. Seven of twelve identified guidelines met predefined methodological rigor criteria and showed broad consensus across recommendations for HFrEF care. The synthesis supports harmonized guideline-based practice while highlighting areas where evidence and recommendation strength may still vary across societies.
Datta S, Majumder S, Gulsin GS et al. · European heart journal. Quality of care & clinical outcomes · (2026) · 2 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Multiple manifestations of coronary microvascular dysfunction in a double-hit mouse model of HFpEF.
This study used a double-hit C57BL/6 mouse model of HFpEF induced by high-fat diet plus chronic nitric oxide synthase inhibition (L-NAME) to characterize coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) with multimodal, non-invasive imaging. Key findings showed multiple CMD manifestations detected by cine/strain cardiac MRI, dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI using galbumin and a redox-sensitive agent (3CP), and Doppler-based coronary flow reserve testing with vasodilators, with corroboration by ex vivo micro-CT angiography and transmission electron microscopy. Mechanism-resolved phenotyping in this model supports improved translational targeting of CMD pathways relevant to HFpEF.
Kwiatkowski G, Tyrankiewicz U, Mosiołek S et al. · Vascular pharmacology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Nuevas perspectivas en la cardiopatía chagásica: genética, resonancia magnética y posibles alternativas terapéuticas. Una revisión narrativa.
This narrative review summarized evidence from 2020–2026 on genetic variants, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, and potential therapies for chagasic cardiomyopathy (American trypanosomiasis) with emphasis on endemic Peru where diagnosis is often delayed. It reports that current data weaken a simple parasite-lineage-to-cardiac-severity relationship and instead implicate host inflammatory response as the primary driver, while highlighting the diagnostic value of cardiac magnetic resonance. These insights can refine risk stratification and improve diagnostic and therapeutic decision-making in Chagas disease.
Velasco Hurtado JM, Quispe Zavala D, Vilela Luchini C et al. · Medwave · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Transcatheter atrial flow regulator implantation in children with pulmonary arterial hypertension in resource-limited settings: a single-centre experience.
This single-center retrospective study evaluated transcatheter atrial flow regulator implantation in six children with severe World Health Organization Group 1 pulmonary arterial hypertension in resource-limited settings. The key finding was feasibility of the procedure as an alternative strategy to address right-heart decompression when access to parenteral prostacyclin is constrained. The experience supports a potential scalable intervention to reduce early mortality risk in pediatric PAH where standard therapies are difficult to deliver.
Das B, Maiya S, Khan B et al. · Cardiology in the young · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
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 argues that LA myopathy—encompassing structural remodeling, fibrosis, impaired compliance, and electrical dysfunction—may be more central than a secondary consequence of elevated LV filling pressures. Recognizing LA myopathy as a therapeutic target could help stratify HFpEF patients and guide development of more effective, mechanism-based treatments.
Jabeen M, Younas S, Majid A et al. · Cardiology in review · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
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.
This study characterized residual intraplaque hemorrhage in statin-treated stable coronary artery disease (CAD) patients using multi-modality imaging, including non-contrast T1-weighted cardiac MRI, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) with intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). In 121 statin-treated patients (target n=161 and non-target n=142 lesions), plaques with plaque-to-myocardium ratio (PMR) ≥1.0 on CMR—previously histologically linked to intraplaque hemorrhage—were further analyzed to define specific plaque features persisting despite statin therapy. The findings are clinically significant because they refine how residual intraplaque hemorrhage can be detected and phenotyped in treated CAD beyond standard CMR PMR thresholds.
Nakata J, Hosoda H, Kataoka Y et al. · European heart journal. Imaging methods and practice · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Left Atrial Myopathy Across the Spectrum of Pediatric Heart Disease: Imaging, Mechanobiology, and Clinical Consequences.
This review studied left atrial (LA) myopathy across the spectrum of pediatric heart disease by synthesizing evidence from imaging, mechanobiology, and clinical outcomes. It argues that LA dysfunction—often detectable before overt ventricular failure—reflects early biomechanical injury and may be a potentially reversible marker of cardiovascular disease progression in children. The review is significant because it frames LA mechanics as a target for earlier diagnosis and risk assessment in pediatric congenital and acquired cardiac conditions.
Muqaddas R, Nawaz S, Ali S et al. · Cardiology in review · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Iron overload cardiomyopathy.
This review studied the mechanisms and clinical implications of iron overload cardiomyopathy (IOC) in hereditary hemochromatosis and transfusion-dependent conditions such as hemoglobinopathies. It describes how excess non-transferrin-bound iron enters cardiomyocytes via calcium channels and transporters (including DMT1, ZIP14) and drives oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, calcium dysregulation, and ferroptosis. The review is significant because it links pathophysiology to the broad clinical spectrum of IOC, supporting targeted monitoring and therapeutic strategies in high-risk patients.
Papingiotis G, Mantzourani M, Gogas H et al. · Heart failure reviews · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Systolic Septal Curvature Ratio as a Cardiac MRI Marker of Right Ventricular Loading in Pediatric Congenital Heart Disease.
This retrospective pediatric cardiac MRI study evaluated whether the systolic septal curvature ratio can serve as a marker of right ventricular (RV) loading in congenital heart disease with different hemodynamic burdens. Across 149 participants (controls and subgroups including repaired tetralogy of Fallot without residual RV outflow tract stenosis, among others), the authors assessed relationships between the systolic septal-to-free wall curvature ratio and volumetric, functional, and hemodynamic parameters. The work is significant because it proposes a geometry-based CMR metric that may better reflect RV loading and ventricular interdependence than standard global remodeling measures.
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 coronary artery abnormalities caused by non-atherosclerotic etiologies such as Kawasaki disease vasculopathy, transplant-related allograft vasculopathy, congenital coronary anomalies, and post-surgical coronary reimplantation complications. It emphasizes that pediatric ischemia detection is challenging due to often absent or atypical symptoms and limitations of traditional screening tools like resting electrocardiography. The review is significant because it consolidates imaging strategies to improve ischemia detection and reduce sudden cardiac death risk in children with coronary artery disease syndromes.
Jin JB, Williams JL, Wang SM et al. · Cardiology and therapy · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Tricuspid regurgitation: standardized stepwise work-up from referral to expert heart valve centre.
This European Heart Journal review studied a standardized stepwise work-up for patients with tricuspid regurgitation (TR) from referral to an expert heart valve centre (HVC), integrating etiology, disease stage, comorbidities, operative risk, and anatomical feasibility. The key finding is that a structured, multimodal algorithm improves therapy selection by systematically aligning patient characteristics with available surgical and transcatheter options. Clinically, it supports more consistent decision-making for TR management in a condition historically treated conservatively despite poor outcomes.
Dreyfus J, Praz F, Hahn R et al. · European heart journal · (2026) · 2 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Advanced imaging in systemic sclerosis: distinguishing activity from damage across organ systems.
This narrative review examined how advanced imaging in systemic sclerosis (SSc) can distinguish active, potentially reversible disease from irreversible damage across organ systems. It highlights next-generation approaches including quantitative machine-learning analysis of high-resolution CT and molecular imaging strategies aimed at directly measuring disease activity rather than only structural injury. Scientifically, the review frames a shift toward activity-focused biomarkers that could improve risk stratification and treatment targeting in SSc.
Haussmann A, Volkmann ER · Current opinion in rheumatology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Chagas in Children Unmasked With Multimodality Imaging.
This case series reported three pediatric cases illustrating how childhood Chagas disease can be unmasked later using multimodality imaging, linking early infection to long-term cardiomyopathy risk. The cases included acute myocarditis with cardiac arrest and recovery after early benznidazole, and fulminant myocarditis requiring venoarterial ECMO with severely reduced global longitudinal strain. The clinical significance is that early diagnosis and treatment of Chagas in children may alter outcomes, and multimodality imaging can help connect pediatric infection to future cardiomyopathy trajectories.
Hede SV, Prasad D · 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 studied focal myocardial fibrosis that mimicked hypertrophy in a 72-year-old postmenopausal woman with ischemia with nonobstructive coronary arteries (INOCA) after acetylcholine provocation testing. The key finding was that coronary spasm (epicardial and microvascular) was associated with focal replacement fibrosis on cardiac magnetic resonance (focal late gadolinium enhancement) and a supranormal ejection fraction (79%) with reduced end-systolic function metrics. The report is significant because it shows how spasm-related structural remodeling can masquerade as hypertrophy and may carry energetic/functional consequences relevant to long-term risk assessment.
Nguyen TH, Nakamura T, Sato A · 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 examined whether multivessel disease (MVD) after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is associated with diffuse myocardial injury beyond the infarct zone compared with single-vessel disease (SVD), using cardiac MRI within 31–90 days after percutaneous coronary intervention. The key finding (as framed by the study purpose) was to characterize infarct-related versus remote myocardial tissue properties and to assess differences by revascularization completeness (complete vs incomplete), in a cohort of 224 AMI patients (90 SVD and 42 MVD with complete revascularization, with additional groups truncated). The scientific significance is that cardiac MRI tissue characterization may help explain worse outcomes in MVD by identifying remote injury patterns that could influence post-PCI risk stratification.
Luo C, Jiang W, Mo C et al. · Journal of magnetic resonance imaging : JMRI · (2026) · 1 citations · View on PubMed ↗
Imaging Modalities Related to Cardiac Involvement in Systemic Sclerosis.
This review summarizes imaging modalities used to characterize cardiac involvement in systemic sclerosis (SSc), a chronic autoimmune disease affecting predominantly women and defined by microvasculopathy, autoimmunity, and fibrosis. The key finding is that multiple imaging approaches (including cardiac imaging techniques tailored to inflammation and fibrosis) are central for detecting and monitoring cardiac manifestations that are often subclinical. Scientifically and clinically, it highlights how imaging phenotyping can improve recognition of cardiac inflammation/fibrosis and guide future research directions in SSc cardiopulmonary disease.
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 examines cardiac imaging phenotypes across systemic inflammatory rheumatic diseases (SARDs) and outlines future directions for imaging-driven discovery. The key finding is that cardiovascular involvement is common but frequently masked, and that cardiac imaging is pivotal for early detection, characterization, and longitudinal monitoring of disease-specific cardiac patterns. Clinically, it supports a pathophysiology-driven imaging strategy to better identify and manage cardiovascular complications in SARD patients.
Buch MH, Plein S · Journal of the American Heart Association · (2026) · 1 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Cardiac MRI radiomics & quantitative imaging biomarkers
Cardiac Magnetic Resonance-Derived Parametric Mapping Radiomics for Prediction of Left Ventricular Reverse Remodeling in Patients With Dilated Cardiomyopathy.
This retrospective study tested whether cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) 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 is that radiomic RadScores derived from high-dimensional quantitative parametric mapping features were associated with subsequent LVRR, defined as LVEF ≥40% with ≥10% increase at least 180 days after CMR. Scientifically, it suggests that CMR radiomics could provide a noninvasive imaging biomarker to forecast response to therapy in nonischemic DCM.
Ide S, Ohtani T, Takao T et al. · Journal of the American Heart Association · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Cardiac cell therapy and regenerative approaches
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 used a swine ischemic cardiomyopathy model to test whether transendocardial injection of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived committed cardiac progenitors (CCPs) combined with cardiac fibroblast-derived extracellular matrix (cECM) improves function without inducing ventricular arrhythmias. The key finding is that the CCP+cECM approach generated cardiac tissue grafts and improved contractility while not triggering ventricular arrhythmias in the large-animal setting. Clinically, it supports a safer cell-therapy strategy for post–myocardial infarction repair by addressing the major arrhythmia safety concern.
Raval AN, Schmuck EG, Leonov V et al. · Journal of the American Heart Association · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Cardiac tumors and rare malignancies (including sarcoma)
Beyond Echocardiography: Multimodality Imaging of a Mitral Valve Blood Cyst in Cryptogenic Stroke.
This case report studied a 52-year-old woman with acute ischemic stroke and hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy in whom echocardiography suggested a mitral valve blood cyst. The key finding was that noncontrast cardiac MRI showed the cyst’s internal signal was isointense with the left ventricular blood pool throughout the cardiac cycle, providing a dynamic signature that ruled out solid neoplasms and caseous mitral annular calcification. The multimodality imaging approach improves diagnostic confidence for rare benign mitral lesions that can otherwise mimic tumors in stroke workups.
Güleşir ME, Topal B, Uğraş UA et al. · Journal of clinical ultrasound : JCU · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
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 presenting with chest pain and markedly elevated high-sensitivity troponin, initially mimicking acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Despite diffuse T-wave inversions and an initial non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction diagnosis, urgent coronary angiography showed angiographically normal coronary arteries, prompting consideration of atypical pheochromocytoma as the underlying cause. The case is significant because it underscores that catecholamine-secreting tumors can present with ACS-like biomarkers and ECG changes, risking diagnostic delay if coronary imaging is not pursued.
Achour F, Cherkaoui S, Zarzour J et al. · European heart journal. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Primary Cardiac Leiomyosarcoma in a Young Patient: A Therapeutic Challenge.
This case report described a 29-year-old man with primary cardiac leiomyosarcoma diagnosed using echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography, and confirmatory histopathology with immunohistochemistry. The patient remained alive at 20 months while receiving systemic therapy despite the tumor’s aggressive nature. The report highlights the diagnostic and therapeutic uncertainty in rare primary cardiac sarcomas and supports the need for individualized multimodality management.
Calzadilla-Gutierrez HR, Blanco-Adrian N, Vaca-Villarroel JM et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Takotsubo syndrome and stress-related cardiomyopathy mechanisms
Apical-to-Mid-Ventricular Phenotypic Shift in Recurrent Takotsubo Syndrome After Minor Trauma.
This JACC Case Reports article studied recurrent takotsubo syndrome (TTS) in an 84-year-old woman whose trigger was minor trauma (a ground-level fall with blunt chest injury). The key finding was an apical-to-mid-ventricular phenotypic shift, with echocardiography showing mid-ventricular akinesia and a hyperkinetic apex, coronary angiography excluding obstructive disease, and cardiac MRI demonstrating myocardial involvement consistent with TTS. Clinically, it highlights that trauma can precipitate atypical TTS phenotypes during recurrence, which can affect recognition 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 described a 45-year-old Black transgender woman on long-term estrogen therapy who developed chest pain progressing to ventricular fibrillation and cardiac arrest. Coronary angiography showed no epicardial obstruction and ventriculography suggested Takotsubo syndrome, while cardiac magnetic resonance demonstrated transmural infarction with extensive microvascular obstruction consistent with a Takotsubo-like syndrome driven by microvascular dysfunction. Clinically, it underscores that estrogen-associated microvascular injury can mimic acute coronary syndromes and that CMR can be pivotal for distinguishing Takotsubo-like mechanisms from obstructive myocardial infarction.
Silva PG, García Mejía HP, de Paula Morales KR et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Cardiac amyloidosis (AL/ATTR) and vascular-cardiac interactions
Cardiac Amyloidosis: Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, and Treatment.
This narrative review studied the pathogenesis, diagnostic approach, and treatment landscape of cardiac amyloidosis, focusing on misfolded beta-pleated proteins that form insoluble fibrils and deposit in the interstitium, especially light-chain (AL) and transthyretin (ATTR) amyloidosis. The key finding is that contemporary diagnosis relies on structured evaluation of amyloid type and cardiac involvement, alongside emerging therapies targeting the underlying protein misfolding and deposition processes. Scientifically and clinically, it consolidates current evidence to guide practical diagnostic work-ups and inform selection of newer disease-modifying treatments.
Beckmann S, Akin I, Haghikia A et al. · Deutsches Arzteblatt international · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Arterial-myocardial coupling in primary light chain amyloidosis: A prospective observational study of vascular involvement.
This prospective observational study evaluated arterial-myocardial coupling in newly diagnosed primary light chain (AL) amyloidosis by examining vascular markers and cardiac involvement in 151 patients, with cardiac MRI in a subgroup of 59. The key finding was that vascular-cardiac interactions—assessed using flow-mediated dilation (FMD), pulse wave velocity (PWV), and ventricular-arterial coupling metrics—provide mechanistic insight into how vascular involvement may relate to cardiac dysfunction and outcomes. Scientifically, it supports the concept that vascular pathology is not merely comorbid but may independently influence disease behavior in AL amyloidosis.
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 case report studied a 69-year-old man with primary AL amyloidosis presenting with cardiac tamponade due to lymphocytic constrictive pericarditis without myocardial involvement. Pericardiocentesis and pericardial biopsy showed lymphocytic effusion without cardiac amyloid, while later biopsy of a prevertebral mass confirmed systemic AL amyloidosis. The case emphasizes that constrictive pericarditis with tamponade can be the sole cardiac manifestation in AL amyloidosis and may require tissue confirmation beyond the myocardium.
Leong YH, Teo Z, Sng ECY et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Cardiac inflammation, myocarditis/perimyocarditis, and immune-mediated injury
Relapsing-Remitting Perimyocarditis and Emerging Acute Myeloid Leukemia.
This JACC Case Reports article described a 66-year-old man with relapsing-remitting perimyocarditis as an initial presentation of emerging acute myeloid leukemia (AML), initially after Coxsackievirus B exposure. Repeat CMR demonstrated biventricular dysfunction with new lateral wall late gadolinium enhancement, myocardial edema, and circumferential pericardial effusion, and endomyocardial biopsy confirmed severe lymphocytic myocarditis. The case is significant because it shows that recurrent inflammatory myocarditis/perimyocarditis with evolving CMR abnormalities can precede AML diagnosis and may require escalation beyond empiric corticosteroid tapers.
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 a 62-year-old woman with gallbladder adenocarcinoma receiving gemcitabine, cisplatin, and the immune checkpoint inhibitor durvalumab who developed dyspnea, edema, and chest pain consistent with myocarditis. The key finding was that her presentation mimicked overlapping cardiac pathologies, making diagnosis challenging, but the clinical context of durvalumab-associated fulminant myocarditis was emphasized. This is significant because it underscores the need for high suspicion and careful differentiation of ICI-associated myocarditis from CAD, chemotherapy-related cardiomyopathy, or malignancy complications.
Javed N, Itare V, Ashraf S et al. · Case reports in cardiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Eosinophilic heart disease (Loeffler endocarditis, eosinophilic myocarditis, EGPA)
Fulminant Eosinophilic Myocarditis After Sequential Biologic Therapy in Ulcerative Colitis.
This case studied fulminant eosinophilic myocarditis in a 35-year-old man with ulcerative colitis who developed hypereosinophilia after sequential biologic therapy (most recently vedolizumab) and corticosteroid withdrawal. Cardiac magnetic resonance and endomyocardial biopsy confirmed diffuse eosinophilic myocarditis with severe biventricular dysfunction (LVEF ~10%) and cardiogenic shock. The report highlights a potentially life-threatening, treatment-associated hypereosinophilic cardiac complication in inflammatory bowel disease that requires rapid multimodality evaluation and urgent hemodynamic support.
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 studied Loeffler endocarditis in a 43-year-old man with long-standing atopy and persistent eosinophilia as part of distinct hypereosinophilic syndromes. Echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance demonstrated biventricular apical thrombi with diffuse subendocardial late gadolinium enhancement consistent with fibrotic-stage disease, with rapid hematologic response to high-dose corticosteroids and anticoagulation. The findings emphasize that multimodality imaging can enable earlier recognition of Loeffler endocarditis and guide timely anti-inflammatory and thromboembolic management.
Salar T, Feitell S, Parikh V 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 case studied extensive cardiac involvement in a 53-year-old woman with ANCA-associated vasculitis presenting with severe aortic regurgitation and progressive high-grade atrioventricular (AV) block. Multimodality imaging showed inflammatory valvuloaortic thickening with cusp retraction, moderate pericardial effusion, and nonischemic septal late gadolinium enhancement alongside worsening AV block in the absence of obstructive coronary disease. The report underscores that ANCA-associated vasculitis can cause severe inflammatory valvulo-pericardial and conduction system disease, supporting early rheumatologic evaluation and targeted immunosuppression.
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 series studied the phenotypic spectrum of cardiac involvement in eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) across three patients. The key finding was three distinct cardiac phenotypes: (1) inflammatory cardiomyopathy with severe biventricular dysfunction responsive to escalated immunosuppression and guideline-directed medical therapy, (2) an advanced fibrotic phenotype with cardiogenic shock requiring mechanical circulatory support and incomplete reversibility, and (3) a relapsing-remitting eosinophilic peri-/myocardial pattern (as described in the truncated abstract). The work is significant because it links EGPA cardiac phenotype to reversibility and treatment urgency, helping clinicians anticipate outcomes and tailor immunosuppressive and supportive strategies.
Majeed Z, Manaila AS, Xu B et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Cardiotoxicity and medication-related cardiac injury
Late-onset radiation-induced myocardial fibrosis after lung cancer radiotherapy: correlation of cardiac MRI with radiation treatment planning CT.
This case study evaluated cardiac MRI (CMR) findings in a 55-year-old man with prior left circumflex (LCx) STEMI who had received remote external beam lung cancer radiotherapy and later presented for CMR. The CMR showed nonischemic late gadolinium enhancement (LGE), valvular thickening, and pericardial effusion, and these imaging findings were supported by correlation with the radiation treatment planning CT as radiation-induced myocardial fibrosis. Clinically, it highlights how CMR plus treatment-planning CT correlation can distinguish radiation-related myocardial injury even in patients with a prior myocardial infarction history.
Masuodi B, Kataria S · The international journal of cardiovascular imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Hydroxychloroquine Cardiotoxicity Confirmed by Electron Microscopy: The Myocarditis Mimic.
This case studied hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) cardiotoxicity in a 79-year-old woman with 10 years of HCQ exposure who presented with low-output physiology and imaging findings mimicking myocarditis. Cardiac MRI showed diffuse patchy midmyocardial/subepicardial late gadolinium enhancement while FDG-PET suggested myocarditis-like inflammation, but endomyocardial biopsy with electron microscopy confirmed HCQ-associated cardiomyocyte vacuolization. The report is clinically significant because it demonstrates how electron microscopy can distinguish HCQ toxicity from inflammatory cardiomyopathy, informing safer medication decisions.
Behr P, Paik KS, Park C et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Atrial/ventricular thrombi and hypercoagulable states
Intracardiac Thrombi Mimicking Cardiac Metastases in a Patient With Lung Adenocarcinoma.
This case report studied a 50-year-old man with lung adenocarcinoma and venous thromboembolism who developed persistent right-sided intracardiac masses despite therapeutic anticoagulation. Cardiac MRI raised concern for cardiac metastases, but histopathology showed organizing thrombus and the remaining ventricular lesion resolved after one month of therapeutic enoxaparin. The case highlights that cancer-associated intracardiac thrombi can mimic metastatic disease on cardiac MRI, so integrating imaging with clinical course and anticoagulation response is crucial.
Lembo M, De Vivo R, La Mura L et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Probable Antiphospholipid Syndrome Causing Biventricular Thrombi and Cardiogenic Shock.
This case studied probable antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) presenting with biventricular intracardiac thrombi and cardiogenic shock in a 70-year-old woman with recent Takotsubo cardiomyopathy. Imaging showed large biventricular thrombi with laboratory results consistent with probable APS, and the patient received inotropic support and anticoagulation but could not be weaned from inotropes. The report highlights diagnostic uncertainty and the high-risk nature of extensive cardiac thrombosis in suspected APS, emphasizing the need for careful risk-benefit decisions in management.
Contractor P, Deng J, O’Neill LP et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Arrhythmia risk after ablation and electrical substrate phenotyping
LGL-Phenocopy With Dual AV Nodal Physiology and Malignant SVT: A Diagnostic Pitfall With Sudden Deaths.
This case report studied a 45-year-old man presenting with malignant supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) and a short PR interval without preexcitation, described as an Lown-Ganong-Levine (LGL) phenocopy with dual atrioventricular (AV) nodal physiology. The key finding was that ECG during symptoms showed SVT (~220 bpm) with Hisian extrasystole and QRS variability, and post-conversion ECG demonstrated short PR plus dual AV nodal physiology in the setting of a family history of sudden cardiac death in three siblings. The report emphasizes that an apparently “benign” LGL-phenocopy pattern can conceal malignant substrates and sudden-death risk, warranting careful evaluation.
Negm AY, Zhfan S, Khalil M et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Exercise-induced ventricular arrhythmias: a marker of risk in arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy.
This retrospective study assessed exercise-induced ventricular arrhythmias (EIVAs) as a risk marker in patients with arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM), including individuals with a pathogenic or likely pathogenic ACM gene variant but negative/borderline phenotype. Patients were stratified by exercise intensity after diagnosis, and EIVAs were adjudicated based on exercise test findings to evaluate prevalence and prognostic significance. The study is clinically important because it supports using exercise testing to unmask latent electrical instability in genetically predisposed ACM 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 synthesized studies (through March 2026) comparing cardiac MRI (CMR) parameters between patients with and without ventricular tachycardia (VT) recurrence after catheter ablation. It evaluated functional measures (e.g., LVEF, LV mass) and structural substrate markers such as late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) characteristics and ventricular volumes as predictors of recurrence. The analysis aims to clarify which CMR-derived features have prognostic value for post-ablation VT outcomes and could guide substrate assessment and risk stratification.
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 studied a 72-year-old woman with unstable wide complex tachycardia (WCT) of uncertain origin using Doppler echocardiography to demonstrate atrioventricular dissociation. Despite initial cardioversion failure and brief conversion after amiodarone, WCT recurred, and transesophageal echocardiography performed after stroke evaluation identified left atrial appendage thrombus, limiting further antiarrhythmic use. The report is scientifically and clinically important because Doppler echocardiography can clarify WCT mechanism (AV dissociation) and thereby refine management when anticoagulation constraints exist.
Khattab A, Timmerman C, Kee A et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Impact of Myocardial Fibrosis and Female Sex on Life-Threatening Arrhythmias and Sudden Cardiac Death in Mitral Valve Prolapse.
This prospective cohort study investigated how myocardial fibrosis on cardiovascular magnetic resonance (late gadolinium enhancement) and female sex independently relate to life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death in patients with mitral valve prolapse (MVP). Among 550 consecutive MVP patients referred for CMR between 2008 and 2021, the study aimed to quantify the independent contributions of fibrosis and sex to arrhythmic risk (details truncated). The clinical significance is that it may refine risk prediction for malignant arrhythmias in MVP by clarifying whether female sex modifies or independently predicts fibrosis-associated electrical vulnerability.
Darwish A, Nguyen DT, Songsangjinda T et al. · Circulation. Cardiovascular imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Genetic cardiomyopathies and sudden death risk stratification
Compound MYH7 Mutations: Risk Stratification Challenges in an Affected Family.
This case report studied sudden cardiac death risk stratification in a 54-year-old man with familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and compared his genotype/phenotype with his daughter’s. The daughter carried two pathogenic MYH7 variants (Ala655Thr and Gly571Arg) and had obstructive HCM with septal myomectomy and an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator after cardiac arrest, whereas the father carried only Ala655Thr with mild septal hypertrophy and nonsustained ventricular tachycardia. The report highlights that MYH7 genotype-positive status with borderline phenotypic expression can make clinical risk stratification challenging within families.
Hammad A, Yeung A, Goldschmidt H et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Recurrent Nonischemic Left Ventricular Aneurysms: A Cardiac MRI-Driven Diagnosis in a DES Variant Carrier.
This case report described a 24-year-old man with recurrent nonischemic left ventricular aneurysms in whom cardiac MRI enabled diagnosis of a drug-resistant structural cardiomyopathy phenotype in a DES variant carrier. Initial CMR identified an apical LV aneurysm with true-aneurysm features and normal coronaries, and surgery was performed, but five years later CMR detected a new inferolateral basal aneurysm in a previously normal postoperative region. The report demonstrates how CMR can detect evolving aneurysmal disease and localize myocardial injury in genetic nonischemic cardiomyopathy.
Garcia NP, Forti D, Tassine Penatti LA et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Cardiac MRI physics, reconstruction, segmentation, and workflow automation
Toward self-contained cardiac magnetic resonance elastography: Deep learning-based segmentation of the left ventricular myocardium.
This study evaluated deep learning methods for left ventricular (LV) myocardium segmentation using native cardiac magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) data to move toward self-contained cardiac MRE workflows. Using cardiac MRE data from 16 healthy male volunteers, it assessed how input representation and automation strategy affect segmentation performance. Reliable automated LV delineation is clinically important because it can enable more scalable, reproducible MRE-based stiffness assessment without manual annotation.
Atamaniuk V, Anders M, Obrzut M et al. · Magnetic resonance imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
From Case Studies to Cohort of Patients: Automating FSI Simulations to Uncover Downstream Effects of Ascending Aortic Grafts.
This engineering study developed a fully automated patient-specific fluid-structure interaction (FSI) simulation pipeline to predict downstream hemodynamic effects after ascending aortic grafting with a synthetic Dacron graft. The key finding (from the automated cohort-based approach) was that graft–native compliance mismatch can alter downstream flow patterns, potentially promoting descending aortic dissection risk and adverse vascular remodeling. Automating FSI can improve mechanistic risk prediction and support better surgical planning for ascending thoracic aortic aneurysms and dissections.
Ianniruberto I, Astori D, Saitta S et al. · Annals of biomedical engineering · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Learning curve of Versius-assisted radical prostatectomy: role of prior experience and proctoring.
This prospective cohort study evaluated the learning curve for Versius-assisted radical prostatectomy in patients with localized prostate cancer, focusing on how prior robotic versus laparoscopic experience and structured proctoring affected performance. Surgeons with extensive prior robotic experience and those with laparoscopic-only backgrounds were compared on objective metrics such as console time and novel hand motion volumetry during Versius procedures. The results are significant for surgical training and credentialing, informing how experience transfer and proctoring influence safe adoption of the Versius robotic platform.
Fernández-Conejo G, González Álvarez C, Del Olmo Durán P et al. · BJU international · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Autonomous Velocity Encoding (VENC) Selection Improves Precision of Quantitative Flow Measurement.
This prospective/retrospective study evaluated an autonomous workflow for selecting the optimal velocity encoding (VENC) in phase-contrast MRI for quantitative flow measurement in 113 patients (254 scans) and 18 healthy volunteers. The key finding was that autonomous VENC selection improves precision of quantitative flow measurements compared with manual or non-optimized VENC settings. This is clinically significant because it can reduce operator dependence and potentially shorten scan times while improving the reliability of flow quantification.
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 assessed and validated the free-running framework for cardiac function by magnetic resonance imaging at 1.5T (FAST-CMR), including its fast interrupted steady-state (FISS) variant, in comparison to conventional ECG-gated approaches. The key finding was that FAST-CMR enables whole-heart, respiratory and cardiac motion-resolved imaging without ECG gating, breath-holds, or expert scan-plane planning, while maintaining clinically usable image quality across vendors and sites. This is significant because it can reduce workflow barriers to CMR adoption and improve feasibility for routine cardiac function assessment, including with gadolinium-based or ferumoxytol contrast.
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 MRI physics study compared amplitude-modulated (AM) and amplitude-frequency-modulated (AM-FM) outer volume suppression (OVS) pulse designs for cardiac MRI at 3T, applying them to time-efficient myocardial T2 mapping with reduced field of view. Optimized single- and dual-band AM and AM-FM pulses (including AM sinc and AM-FM hyperbolic secant variants) achieved effective extra-cardiac signal suppression with improved suppression-band performance. The results support more efficient and robust cardiac T2 mapping sequences by reducing contamination from surrounding tissues.
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.
This methodological paper developed “Reverse Imaging,” a physics-driven data augmentation and domain generalization framework for cardiac MRI segmentation that targets failure of pretrained models across imaging sequences. By inferring tissue properties (primarily M0, T1, and T2) from observed images via a regularized inverse problem, the approach enables any-sequence generalization for segmentation. This is significant for clinical deployment because it can reduce the need for sequence-specific retraining when MRI protocols vary.
Zhao Y, Zhang Y, Yang T et al. · IEEE transactions on medical imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Generated automatically on August 11, 2026. Covers PubMed articles published August 04, 2026 – August 11, 2026. Summaries are AI-generated; always consult the original publication for clinical or research decisions.