What's New in Cardiac MRI? — September 09, 2026
AI-summarised digest of 47 PubMed articles on Cardiac MRI published in the last 7 days.
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What’s New in Cardiac MRI?
September 09, 2026 · 47 articles · 15 research themes · covering September 02, 2026 – September 09, 2026
Overview
Across this week’s set, a dominant theme is the move toward more precise, multimodal risk stratification in cardiovascular disease—especially using cardiac MRI/CT-derived substrates (fibrosis, edema, scar, fat, and thrombus) combined with clinical context and, increasingly, genetics. Several studies and case reports show how “hidden” or atypical phenotypes (e.g., fukutinopathy presenting as cardiac-predominant disease, LQTS with normal structure but electromechanical window negativity, or post-surgical RV failure where intramyocardial fat is hard to classify) can be unmasked by targeted imaging and confirmatory testing. In parallel, prognostic imaging markers such as CMR LGE “corridors,” global T2 edema quantification in Takotsubo syndrome, and T2-weighted intramyocardial hemorrhage after STEMI were highlighted as practical tools to refine outcome prediction.
A second major thread is right-heart and pulmonary vascular disease management, where multi-chamber strain, RV/LV volumetric ratios, and procedure-specific reverse remodeling after CTEPH interventions (PEA vs BPA) are used to better predict who will recover and how. Relatedly, arrhythmia-focused work spans both mechanistic substrate mapping (integrating structural imaging into VT ablation workflows) and electrophysiology/device procedural considerations (e.g., EV-ICD lead routing complications), reinforcing that better imaging-to-electrophysiology translation can improve both safety and effectiveness.
Finally, the collection underscores the expanding role of advanced computation and standardization in clinical imaging: lightweight AI for cine segmentation, CT feature tracking for strain from routine datasets, and CT-based scar detection frameworks aim to broaden access beyond MRI-heavy pathways. Pediatric and systemic disease follow-up (MIS-C, myocarditis, scleroderma/lupus myocarditis) further emphasizes that subclinical injury can persist despite apparent recovery, supporting structured imaging follow-up and biomarker-informed surveillance. Oncology and non-cardiac outcomes (including cardio-oncology biomarker reviews, SCLC therapeutic evolution, and post-operative mental health evidence mapping) round out the digest by linking emerging evidence to broader patient-centered care.
Thromboembolism and intracardiac thrombi detection (including TTS thrombi, post-stroke atrial cardiomyopathy)
Sex Differences in Cardiac Rhythm and Conduction Abnormalities After Noncardioembolic Ischemic Stroke.
This study screened 673 patients (39% women) with first noncardioembolic acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and no prior cardiac disease at a tertiary stroke center to assess sex-specific newly diagnosed cardiac rhythm and conduction abnormalities within 1 year. The key finding was that women and men differed in the incidence/pattern of post-AIS cardiac rhythm/conduction abnormalities despite uniform standard cardiologic workup (including 24-hour in-hospital telemetry and echocardiography). These results support sex-aware post-stroke cardiac surveillance to improve detection of subclinical arrhythmia/conduction disease after noncardioembolic AIS.
Schmick A, Rohner MH, Gebhard C et al. · Journal of the American Heart Association · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Left Atrial Strain Impairment in Embolic Stroke of Undetermined Source: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
This systematic review and meta-analysis synthesized evidence (through July 2026) on left atrial (LA) strain measured by speckle-tracking echocardiography or cardiac magnetic resonance in patients with embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS). The key finding was that ESUS patients show impairment across LA strain phases (subclinical atrial cardiomyopathy), supporting LA mechanical dysfunction as an embolic substrate even without paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. Clinically, LA strain could improve risk stratification and guide more targeted detection of atrial disease in ESUS.
Thapa S, Shah S, Fnu P et al. · Cardiology in review · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Cardiomyopathies and genetic cardiology (including dystroglycanopathy, HCM, LQTS, PAC-driven cardiomyopathy)
Early-stage myocardial changes are not aggravated by Western diet or ageing in Mybpc3 c.2373insG heterozygous mice.
This mouse study tested whether Western diet feeding or ageing (3, 8.5, and 18 months) could trigger or worsen hypertrophic cardiomyopathy phenotypes in Dutch heterozygous Mybpc3 c.2373insG knock-in mice. The key finding was that early-stage myocardial changes were not aggravated by either Western diet or ageing in Mybpc3 c.2373insG heterozygous mice. Scientifically, it argues against “second-hit” metabolic/age stressors as primary drivers of early HCM onset in this genotype, refining mechanistic models of genotype–phenotype variability.
van den Dolder FW, Nollet EE, Warnaar VAJ et al. · The Journal of physiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
A Multitask Deep Learning Pipeline for Classifying Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy and Hypertensive Heart Disease Based on Native T1 Mapping.
This retrospective single-center study developed and evaluated a multitask deep learning pipeline to classify hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) versus hypertensive heart disease (HHD) using native T1 maps from 3.0-T CMR with a modified Look-Locker inversion recovery (MOLLI) protocol. The key finding was that the multitask model improved discrimination between HCM and HHD compared with reliance on global native T1 values alone, using a two-stage training/selection design with patient-level stratified fivefold cross-validation. Clinically, this supports more accurate CMR-based differentiation of HCM from HHD in patients with overlapping morphology.
Zhu H, Qian Y, Yang X et al. · Journal of imaging informatics in medicine · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Not So Innocent After All: Cardiomyopathy Induced by ‘Benign’ Premature Atrial Contractions.
This case report studied premature atrial contractions (PACs) as a potential cause of arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy in a 36-year-old man with frequent monomorphic PACs (28% burden). Cardiac MRI excluded ischemic, infiltrative, and inflammatory etiologies, and electroanatomic mapping localized a single ectopic focus at the coronary sinus ostium with successful radiofrequency catheter ablation. The report is clinically significant because it shows that “benign” PACs can drive severe left ventricular systolic dysfunction and that targeted ablation of the culprit focus may reverse the cardiomyopathy.
Aygün AA, Soysal AU, Durmaz EŞ et al. · Pacing and clinical electrophysiology : PACE · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Hidden in Plain Sight: Electromechanical Window Negativity in Congenital Long QT Syndrome.
This clinical case report describes a 19-year-old woman with KCNH2-related congenital long QT syndrome (LQTS) who had recurrent syncope triggered by abrupt auditory stimuli and torsades de pointes up to 273 bpm on ambulatory monitoring. Although CMR and standard echocardiography showed normal structure, the authors identified electromechanical window (EMW) negativity within routine echocardiographic imaging (“hidden in plain sight”). The finding suggests EMW negativity may refine arrhythmic risk stratification in genotype-defined LQTS beyond QTc and highlights a practical echocardiographic marker for identifying high-risk patients.
Paterson T, Sanders R, Pooranachandran V · Clinical case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Cardiac-Predominant Fukutinopathy Caused by Novel Compound Heterozygous FKTN Variants: A Diagnostic and Genetic Odyssey.
This case report studied a 30-year-old Indian man with a cardiac-predominant dystroglycanopathy phenotype to identify causative fukutin (FKTN) variants using whole-exome sequencing and confirmatory Sanger sequencing. The key finding was compound heterozygosity for FKTN c.1112A>G (p.Tyr371Cys; likely pathogenic) and c.1224G>T (p.Lys408Asn; variant of uncertain significance) with trans inheritance, after which genotype-directed evaluation supported the diagnosis despite minimal neuromuscular features. Clinically, it highlights that FKTN-related fukutinopathy can present primarily as dilated cardiomyopathy with QT prolongation and cardiac MRI late gadolinium enhancement, supporting early genetic testing in unexplained cardiomyopathy.
Imayavaramban B, Kumar P, Chowdhury RR et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Congenital heart disease imaging and fetal/paediatric cardiology follow-up
Cardiac morphology in children at 2 and 10 years of age after congenital diaphragmatic hernia repair: a comparative MRI-based analysis of ECMO and non-ECMO patients.
This retrospective MRI-based comparative study analyzed cardiac morphology in 57 children after congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) repair, comparing ECMO-treated (n=31) versus non-ECMO (n=26) patients at 2 and 10 years of age. The key finding was that ECMO status was associated with distinct long-term cardiac morphological differences and temporal relationships with later pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) development. This supports using longitudinal cardiac MRI phenotyping to identify children at higher risk for persistent cardiopulmonary remodeling after severe CDH.
Jawhar S, Thater G, Appelhaus S et al. · European radiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Value of the Newly Designed Major and Minor Checklists in Diagnosis of Congenital Cardiovascular Disease and Associated Malformation: New Era of Fetal Cardiac MRI.
This study evaluated a newly designed major/minor checklist system for interpreting fetal cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (FCMRI) by correlating structured FCMRI interpretations with postnatal echocardiographic outcomes in fetuses with suspected congenital cardiovascular disease. The key finding was the proposed structured checklist framework’s diagnostic utility and reliability for FCMRI interpretation (as assessed against postnatal echo). The significance is that standardized checklist-based FCMRI reading could improve diagnostic consistency when fetal echocardiography is limited (e.g., maternal obesity, uterine fibroids, oligohydramnios, malposition, or late-gestational acoustic shadowing).
Hassan HGEMA, Ragheb SR, Elyasaki AM et al. · Academic radiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Angiomatoid Fibrous Histiocytoma: An Exceptionally Rare Pulmonary Artery Tumor Presenting as an Asymptomatic Heart Murmur.
This case report describes a 28-year-old man with a history of stage 3 Burkitt lymphoma in remission who presented with an asymptomatic systolic heart murmur and was found to have an angiomatoid fibrous histiocytoma (AFH) arising from the pulmonary artery. Multimodality imaging with cardiac MRI and PET-CT demonstrated a 1.9 cm hyperintense mass attached to the pulmonic valve and main pulmonary artery wall, and the patient underwent surgical resection. The case is significant because it illustrates an exceptionally rare pulmonary artery tumor and the diagnostic value of advanced imaging when echocardiography shows an indeterminate pulmonary artery lesion.
Jafary Z, Rana S, Vaughan M et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Cardiac imaging in systemic/immune-mediated diseases (scleroderma, lupus, MIS-C, myocarditis reviews)
Persistent long-term subclinical myocardial changes in multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children revealed by cardiac magnetic resonance and galectin-3.
This cohort study evaluated long-term myocardial structure and function in children after multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) using cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) and 2D echocardiography, alongside serum galectin-3 measurements. The key finding was that MIS-C survivors can exhibit persistent subclinical myocardial changes on CMR despite often apparent early clinical recovery, with galectin-3 providing additional evidence of ongoing inflammatory/fibrotic processes. These findings highlight the value of CMR-based follow-up and biomarker-informed risk assessment for long-term cardiac health after MIS-C.
Ov SK, Pilania RK, Semwal R et al. · World journal of clinical pediatrics · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Characterizing systemic lupus erythematosus associated myocarditis: From rare clinical disease to subclinical involvement.
This study combined a retrospective cohort analysis from the AQUILES systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) registry (1990–2025) with a systematic literature review (1990–Feb 2026) to characterize lupus-related myocarditis (LM) from rare clinical disease to subclinical involvement. The key finding was that LM occurs in a measurable fraction of SLE patients (2.8% of patients with 19 LM episodes in the AQUILES cohort; pooled frequency ~1.7–1.8% depending on inclusion) with a spectrum spanning clinical and subclinical findings and variable diagnostic patterns/outcomes. Clinically, it clarifies the frequency and heterogeneity of LM and supports more systematic screening and diagnostic evaluation in SLE.
Narváez J, de Daniel-Bisbe L, Capdevila O et al. · Autoimmunity reviews · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Pediatric Myocarditis: Contemporary Insights Into Viral and Immune-Mediated Pathobiology, Precision Diagnostics, Advanced Multimodality Imaging, Risk Stratification, and Evolving Therapeutic Strategies.
This narrative review synthesized current knowledge on pediatric myocarditis, focusing on viral and immune-mediated mechanisms, precision diagnostics, advanced multimodality imaging, risk stratification, and evolving therapies. It emphasizes that pediatric myocarditis is heterogeneous, driven by interactions among infectious triggers, innate/adaptive immune responses, and host genetic susceptibility, with additional considerations such as multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children and vaccine-associated myocarditis. The review highlights how modern imaging and risk models can improve diagnosis and management of children at risk for chronic dysfunction and malignant arrhythmias.
Fatima H, Rana MA, Asghar T et al. · Cardiology in review · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Depressed LV Contractility as a Sentinel of Fulminant Systemic Scleroderma.
This JACC Case Reports article describes a 21-year-old man with rapidly progressive systemic scleroderma who developed depressed left ventricular (LV) contractility as a sentinel feature of fulminant cardiac involvement. Cardiac MRI showed diffuse gadolinium enhancement and endomyocardial biopsy demonstrated mast cell infiltration with early fibrosis, but despite guideline-directed medical therapy and subsequent cyclophosphamide, he deteriorated and died. Clinically, it underscores that early LV dysfunction and MRI enhancement can signal severe systemic scleroderma myocarditis, supporting prompt recognition and aggressive management.
Luo M, Branch T, Vasoya D et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Rapidly Progressive Myocarditis and Cardiogenic Shock: The Failing Heart in Systemic Sclerosis.
This case report studied a 49-year-old woman with diffuse systemic sclerosis to characterize fulminant cardiac involvement using biomarkers, echocardiography, electrocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance, and endomyocardial biopsy. The key finding was rapidly progressive myocarditis with cardiogenic shock, with cardiac MRI showing diffuse biventricular myocardial inflammation and biopsy demonstrating lymphocytic infiltration. The clinical significance is that systemic sclerosis can cause treatable but rapidly fatal myocarditis, so early multimodality evaluation and biopsy confirmation may be critical when shock develops.
Mohammad F, Alhajri N, Al-Matrooshi N et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Cardiac MRI/CT for myocardial injury, fibrosis, and scar quantification
Correction to: A 20-minute, free-running, whole-heart cardiac MRI to image myocardial injury following reperfused myocardial infarction: demonstration in a large animal model.
This item is a correction notice to a previously published article about a 20-minute free-running whole-heart cardiac MRI technique for imaging myocardial injury after reperfused myocardial infarction in a large animal model. The key finding is that the correction addresses an error in the original publication (the scientific content is referenced rather than newly studied here). The significance is primarily methodological/record-keeping, ensuring accurate reporting of the cardiac MRI approach used to assess reperfusion injury.
Radiology advances · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Current indications for cardiac magnetic resonance and cardiac computed tomography: a position statement from the Cardiovascular Imaging Association of the Spanish Society of Cardiology.
This position statement from the Cardiovascular Imaging Association of the Spanish Society of Cardiology reviewed current indications for cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) and cardiac computed tomography (CCT) across cardiovascular diseases. The key finding was a structured synthesis of when and how these imaging modalities should be used for diagnosis, prognostic stratification, and therapeutic planning, while acknowledging uneven access across healthcare settings. Scientifically and clinically, it provides guidance to standardize referral and implementation of CMR/CCT to improve decision-making and outcomes.
Antonio Parada-Barcia J, Rodríguez-Pérez Á, Eiros-Bachiller R et al. · Revista espanola de cardiologia (English ed.) · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Diagnostic Sensitivity of [18F]-Florbetaben-PET/CT in Detecting Cardiac Involvement in AL Amyloidosis: The Prospective MoRBiDA Study.
This prospective MoRBiDA study evaluated treatment-naive AL amyloidosis patients using multimodality imaging to determine the diagnostic sensitivity of [18F]-florbetaben PET/CT (F-PET) for cardiac involvement. The key finding was the measured sensitivity of F-PET for detecting cardiac AL amyloid and its correlations with established cardiac markers and multimodality imaging findings. Clinically, it informs how reliably F-PET can identify early cardiac involvement in AL amyloidosis, which is critical for prognosis and treatment response assessment.
Milani P, Sanna GD, Pepe G et al. · JACC. Advances · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Arrhythmic Risk Stratification According to LGE Corridors and Genetics in Nonischemic Dilated Cardiomyopathy.
This multicenter European study evaluated major ventricular arrhythmic events in patients with nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy who underwent cardiac MRI late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) assessment for “LGE corridors” and genetic testing for high-risk genotypes. Patients with LGE corridors combined with high-risk genotypes had higher rates of major ventricular arrhythmic events than those without this combined risk phenotype. The findings support an integrated CMR fibrosis-conduction-corridor plus genotype strategy to improve arrhythmic risk stratification in nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy.
Ramos-López N, Mora-Ayestarán N, Ochoa JP et al. · Circulation · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Vasodilator stress perfusion CMR for outcome prediction in patients under 45 years with suspected CAD.
This study assessed long-term prognostic value of vasodilator stress cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) for all-cause mortality in patients under 45 years with suspected coronary artery disease using a multicenter French registry. In a retrospective analysis of consecutive patients undergoing vasodilator stress CMR at three centers (2008–2024), the primary endpoint was mortality tracked via the French National Death Registry. The significance is that it extends stress CMR risk prediction evidence to a younger population where prognostic data have been limited.
Vesvrotte ER, Garot J, Duhamel S et al. · Journal of cardiovascular magnetic resonance : official journal of the Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Quantitative intramyocardial hemorrhage assessment by conventional T2-weighted imaging improves risk stratification in reperfused STEMI.
This retrospective single-center study evaluated whether intramyocardial hemorrhage (IMH) quantified on conventional T2-weighted (T2W) cardiac MRI in 453 reperfused ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients (CMR at a median of 5 days) predicts outcomes. IMH was defined as a hypointense core within edema on T2W imaging and expressed as a percentage of left ventricular mass, and it improved risk stratification for a composite of all-cause death and heart failure hospitalization. Quantitative T2W-based IMH assessment could provide a more practical prognostic alternative to T2* mapping for reperfusion injury in routine clinical CMR workflows.
Li Z, Chen Z, Zhang M et al. · The international journal of cardiovascular imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Oncology and cardio-oncology (including SCLC, cancer therapy cardiovascular toxicity, imaging in cancer-related contexts)
EuroNet-PHL-LP1: complete resection or low-dose chemotherapy for pediatric low-risk nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma.
In the prospective phase 3 EuroNet-PHL-LP1 trial, children and adolescents with early-stage nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma (stage IA/IIA) were assigned to complete lymph node resection with active surveillance or to low-intensity, anthracycline-free CVP (cyclophosphamide, vinblastine, prednisone) chemotherapy for unresectable disease. The study tested whether event-free survival outcomes with resection alone or 3 cycles of CVP could match the historical effectiveness of standard approaches. If successful, this would reduce treatment intensity (and anthracycline exposure) in pediatric low-risk nLPHL while maintaining disease control.
Shankar A, Landman-Parker J, Mascarin M et al. · Blood advances · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
The changing therapeutic landscape of small-cell lung cancer.
This review studied the evolving therapeutic landscape for small-cell lung cancer (SCLC), focusing on how advances in SCLC biology are translating into new treatment strategies. It highlights that while chemotherapy responses are often transient and recurrence is frequently refractory, identification of SCLC cell-surface proteins has enabled multiple targeted therapies with preliminary evidence of efficacy. The scientific significance is that it frames actionable, biology-driven targets that may improve outcomes in an otherwise highly aggressive, heterogeneous cancer.
Ross JS, Hockemeyer KG, Redin E et al. · Lancet (London, England) · (2026) · 2 citations · View on PubMed ↗
Pulmonary hypertension and right-heart remodeling (CTEPH/PAH/RV strain/hemodynamics)
Right ventricular adaptation after pulmonary endarterectomy and balloon pulmonary angioplasty in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension: a comparative cardiac MRI-based study.
This prospective multicenter cohort study compared right ventricular (RV) hemodynamic, functional, and structural responses using cardiac MRI, right heart catheterization, exercise testing, and biomarkers in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension patients undergoing pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA) versus balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA). It assessed which procedure better promotes RV reverse remodeling after treatment. The results inform selection and expected RV recovery trajectories when choosing between PEA and BPA for CTEPH.
Rodenburg TC, Higuchi S, Andersen S et al. · The European respiratory journal · (2026) · 1 citations · View on PubMed ↗
Comparative Discriminatory Ability of Body Mass Index, Percent Body Fat, Waist Circumference, and Waist-to-Height Ratio for Cardiometabolic Risk Among Korean Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study Using the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) 2024.
This cross-sectional analysis of 2412 Korean adults aged 40–64 years using KNHANES 2024 compared cardiometabolic risk discrimination by body mass index (BMI), percent body fat (PBF), waist circumference (WC), and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR). Cardiometabolic risk (defined as ≥2 of elevated blood pressure, hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and low HDL cholesterol) was associated with these anthropometric measures, and the study evaluated which indicator best discriminated elevated risk. The findings can guide more accurate, practical obesity-related screening in Korean adults by identifying the most informative metric.
Park E · Biological research for nursing · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Association Between MRI-Derived Right-to-Left Ventricular Volume Ratio and Regional Left Ventricular Myocardial Dysfunction in Patients With Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension.
This retrospective study of 188 pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) patients (plus 81 age- and sex-matched controls) examined whether the MRI-derived right-to-left ventricular end-diastolic volume ratio (RV/LV) is associated with left ventricular myocardial dysfunction, including regional strain patterns. Patients with elevated RV/LV ratio (≥1.27) showed worse LV dysfunction compared with those with normal ratio (<1.27), and the analysis explored mediating pathways linking RV dilation to LV impairment. Clinically, RV/LV ratio may serve as an imaging-based marker to identify PAH patients at risk for LV involvement beyond isolated RV dilation.
Fang H, Li Y, Wang J et al. · Journal of magnetic resonance imaging : JMRI · (2026) · 1 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
CPU-based fast cardiac cine MRI segmentation using lightweight CNNs and knowledge distillation.
This study developed CPU-deployable lightweight convolutional neural networks for cardiac cine MRI segmentation by distilling a residual-encoder U-Net teacher into smaller student models (MobileUNetV2, MobileUNetV3 with squeeze-and-excitation attention, and EfficientLiteUNet) using knowledge distillation. The distilled lightweight networks enabled fast, accurate segmentation on CPU hardware, including deployment in web browsers, reducing reliance on GPUs for inference. This supports broader clinical implementation of automated cine segmentation in resource-limited settings.
Feng X, Singulane CC, Patel AR et al. · Journal of cardiovascular magnetic resonance : official journal of the Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Prospective evaluation of real-world safety, symptoms improvement and adherence to mavacamten among Iranian patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (PERSIA-HOCM): protocol of a multicentre observational study.
This multicentre observational study protocol (PERSIA-HOCM) studied real-world safety, symptom improvement, and adherence to mavacamten in Iranian patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM). It is designed to generate prospective evidence on mavacamten’s effectiveness and tolerability outside randomized trial settings, particularly in a non-Western population. The significance is that it will help validate whether the benefits seen in trials translate into routine clinical practice and inform broader implementation of the cardiac myosin inhibitor.
Ghaseminejad-Raeini A, Karimi MA, Shirinezhad A et al. · BMJ open · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Optimal Strain Combinations for Prognostic Prediction in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension.
This prospective study evaluated which combinations of myocardial strain parameters best predict outcomes in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension, using elastic net Cox regression and stepwise Cox regression with Akaike information criterion. The key finding was that specific optimal strain combinations—spanning left ventricular global longitudinal strain, right ventricular GLS (including right ventricular free-wall longitudinal strain), and right atrial phasic strain—improved prognostic prediction for all-cause mortality and a composite endpoint. Scientifically and clinically, it supports using a tailored multi-chamber strain approach to risk-stratify pulmonary arterial hypertension rather than relying on single strain measures.
Guo J, Leng S, He J et al. · Circulation. Heart failure · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Takotsubo syndrome and stress cardiomyopathy phenotypes
Prognostic value of cardiac magnetic resonance global T2 mapping in patients with Takotsubo syndrome.
This retrospective study evaluated Takotsubo syndrome patients who underwent cardiac MRI within 30 days of admission, reanalyzing global myocardial T2 mapping (edema quantification) blinded to clinical data. Higher global T2 values were associated with increased risk of major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACE), and a time-dependent T2 threshold was derived to predict outcomes. The results suggest CMR global T2 mapping can improve prognostication in Takotsubo syndrome and potentially guide follow-up intensity.
Kadoya Y, Lim J, Alaqaili M et al. · European heart journal. Cardiovascular Imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Psychosocial Stress-Induced Takotsubo Syndrome in a Male Patient: Breaking the Stereotype.
This JACC Case Reports article presents a 48-year-old man who developed psychosocial stress-induced Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) with dynamic left ventricular outflow tract obstruction and four discrete apical left ventricular thrombi identified on cardiac MRI. Despite a lower-risk trigger profile compared with typical TTS demographics, he recovered fully with β-blockade and anticoagulation. The report broadens the clinical phenotype of TTS to include male patients with psychosocial triggers and emphasizes the importance of cardiac MRI to detect thromboembolic complications.
Beesley H, Soroa M, Lerakis S et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Sudden Cardiac Arrest and Takotsubo-Like Cardiomyopathy as the Initial Presentation of Primary Carnitine Deficiency.
This case report studied an 18-year-old female with sudden cardiac arrest and Takotsubo-like cardiomyopathy as the initial presentation of primary carnitine deficiency, using genetic testing plus cardiac imaging and clinical evaluation. The key finding was a homozygous pathogenic variant in SLC22A5 (c.43G>T; p.Gly15Trp) confirming autosomal recessive primary carnitine deficiency, with cardiac MRI showing a Takotsubo-like phenotype. Scientifically and clinically, it underscores that carnitine-cycle disorders can mimic stress cardiomyopathy and present with ventricular fibrillation, making urgent recognition and targeted therapy essential.
Talasani N, Przybylski R, Delaney MA et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Valvular heart disease risk and imaging pitfalls (aortic stenosis, MVP biomarkers)
Moderate aortic stenosis: diagnostic pitfalls and the role of multimodality imaging in risk stratification and clinical management.
This review article synthesized evidence on diagnostic pitfalls in moderate aortic stenosis and how multimodality imaging (including CT aortic valve calcium scoring and cardiac imaging approaches) can refine risk stratification and management beyond standard echocardiography. It highlights that conventional echocardiographic parameters may misclassify severity and that advanced imaging and emerging artificial intelligence tools can better identify patients at higher risk. The clinical significance is improved identification of patients who may benefit from closer monitoring or earlier intervention despite “moderate” AS.
Santangelo G, Maloberti A, Tognola C et al. · Cardiovascular ultrasound · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Circulating Biomarkers Related to Mitral Valve Prolapse: Current Evidence and Mechanistic Perspective.
This review studied circulating biomarkers in mitral valve prolapse (MVP), emphasizing mechanistic links to myocardial stress, fibrosis/extracellular matrix remodeling, inflammation, and metabolic dysregulation. It found that natriuretic peptides are the most validated circulating biomarkers, predicting adverse outcomes and potentially helping guide individualized timing of surgical intervention. The clinical significance is that blood-based biomarkers could complement imaging to improve risk stratification and management decisions in MVP.
Maries L, Songsangjinda T, Shah DJ · Current cardiology reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Pericardial disease and constrictive physiology (including rare fat/epicardial lipomatosis, tuberculous pericarditis)
Epicardial Lipomatosis as a Cause of Constrictive Pericarditis.
This case report described two patients with constrictive pericarditis caused by epicardial lipomatosis, a rare and potentially underrecognized etiology. Both patients underwent multimodality imaging—transthoracic echocardiography, computed tomography, and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging—which demonstrated diffuse epicardial fat, and they were managed conservatively with optimization of heart failure therapy and dialysis strategy. The report underscores the diagnostic value of multimodality imaging to avoid missing epicardial lipomatosis as a cause of constrictive physiology.
Raval PA, Odhiambo JO, Ombati K et al. · Case reports in cardiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Refractory Postcardiotomy Right Ventricular Failure Revealing Massive Right Ventricular Lipomatous Replacement: Autopsy-Imaging Correlation.
This JACC case report studied a 76-year-old woman with refractory post-cardiotomy right ventricular failure to distinguish causes of right ventricular fat using perioperative imaging and autopsy correlation. The key finding was massive right ventricular lipomatous replacement that was difficult to classify on standard imaging alone, with autopsy-imaging correlation clarifying the underlying substrate after cardiopulmonary bypass. Clinically, it emphasizes the diagnostic challenge of differentiating benign postischemic fat from arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy and supports careful interpretation of intramyocardial fat in post-surgical RV failure.
Landín P, Plateros S, Campelos P et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
ECMO-Supported Pericardiectomy in Constrictive Tuberculous Pericarditis With Severe Ventricular Dysfunction.
This case report studied a 20-year-old man with constrictive tuberculous pericarditis and severe ventricular systolic dysfunction to assess the role of extracorporeal support during definitive surgery. The key finding was that ECMO-supported pericardiectomy enabled successful management of severe biventricular dysfunction when conventional therapy and empirical antituberculosis treatment were insufficient and deterioration continued. Clinically, it suggests ECMO can be a lifesaving bridge to surgery in tuberculous constrictive pericarditis complicated by profound ventricular failure.
Elmorshidy M, Helal A, El-Din M et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Non-cardiac outcomes and mental health after surgery
Adult Post-operative Mental Health Outcomes Following Abdominal and Orthopedic Surgeries: A Scoping Review.
This scoping review studied post-operative mental health outcomes after abdominal and orthopedic surgeries across the adult surgical population. Using a Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI)–guided PRISMA-ScR methodology, it mapped the breadth and depth of evidence on post-surgical mental health challenges from a large multi-database and gray-literature search. The significance is that it identifies gaps in how surgery’s impact on mental health has been studied, informing future research and potentially better perioperative mental health care.
Akwa GM, Tiemah NC, Chabeja A et al. · Cureus · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Arrhythmia risk stratification and electrophysiology (including device/procedural issues)
Integration of Functional Mapping and Image-Guided Structural Information in Ventricular Tachycardia Ablation - Sense2 Mapping.
This prospective multicenter registry studied whether integrating MRI/CT-derived ventricular scar information into functional substrate mapping improves outcomes in post-infarct ventricular tachycardia (VT) ablation using the Sense2 mapping approach. Among 166 patients, MRI/CT-guided targeting of focused regions for functional mapping and ablation was compared with conventional ablation strategies in a propensity-matched design. The significance is that combining structural imaging with functional mapping may reduce mapping/procedure burden while improving VT ablation effectiveness in post-infarct scar substrates.
Papageorgiou N, Bangash F, Ladopoulou D et al. · Heart rhythm · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Transient Pneumopericardium During Implantation of an Extravascular Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator.
This JACC Case Reports report describes a 48-year-old man with ischemic cardiomyopathy (ejection fraction 14%) who underwent implantation of an extravascular implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (EV-ICD) for secondary prevention after out-of-hospital monomorphic ventricular tachycardia. Substernal tunneling for the EV-ICD lead route caused pericardial puncture with pneumopericardium, requiring lead repositioning and intraoperative defibrillation testing. The case highlights a specific procedural complication unique to the substernal EV-ICD approach and underscores the need for careful surgical technique and peri-procedural monitoring.
Ollitrault P, Pellissier A, Ferchaud V et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Four Synchronous Myxomas Unmasking Carney Complex: When to Think About Carney Complex?
This case report describes a 39-year-old man with recurrent ventricular extrasystoles in whom transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography, CT, and cardiac MRI identified four synchronous highly mobile cardiac myxomas. The multiplicity of lesions prompted suspicion for Carney complex (CNC), unmasking a syndromic etiology rather than sporadic solitary myxoma. Clinically, recognizing multiple concurrent myxomas as a pattern can accelerate evaluation for CNC and guide appropriate genetic and surveillance strategies.
Ballan G, Genovese D, Bortolato A et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Cardiovascular biomarkers and prognostic models (including troponins/NPs, galectin-3, stress CMR)
Circulating Biomarkers in Cardio-Oncology: Prediction and Prognostication.
This review studied circulating biomarkers used for prediction and prognostication of cancer therapy–related cardiovascular toxicity in cardio-oncology. It reports that cardiac troponins and natriuretic peptides are the most studied biomarkers, with troponins showing more consistent prognostic value while natriuretic peptides have more variable performance, and it notes limitations of biomarker-guided treatment strategies. The clinical significance is that it clarifies which biomarkers are most reliable for risk stratification and highlights where evidence is insufficient to change therapy based on biomarker results.
Kim J, Lee B, White A et al. · Current cardiology reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Cardiac imaging AI/automation and computational methods (segmentation, scar detection, CT feature tracking, deep learning)
AI-Powered Detection of Left Ventricular Myocardial Scar from Dual-Sequence CT: Global and Segmental Prediction Validated by CMR.
This retrospective study developed an AI-powered dual-sequence computed tomography (CT) framework to detect myocardial scar using coronary CT angiography (CCTA) and coronary artery calcium (CAC), with cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) as the reference standard. Using a deep learning nnU-Net model with automated segmentation and American Heart Association 17-segment subdivision, it validated global and segmental scar prediction against CMR. The scientific significance is that it could make scar detection more accessible than CMR by leveraging CT data to approximate the CMR “gold standard” for myocardial scar characterization.
Lu R, Yang T, Li M et al. · Journal of imaging informatics in medicine · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Feasibility of left atrial and left ventricular strain assessment using CT feature tracking in patients with atrial fibrillation.
This prospective single-center study assessed the feasibility of CT feature tracking (CT-FT) to measure left atrial (LA) and left ventricular (LV) strain in 30 patients with atrial fibrillation, using 3T cardiac MRI as the reference standard. CT-FT-derived strain parameters—including LA reservoir strain (LASr), LV global longitudinal strain (LVGLS), LV global circumferential strain (LVGCS), and LV global radial strain (LVGRS)—were compared against CMR measurements after CCTA and CMR within 3 days before radiofrequency ablation. If validated, CT-FT could enable strain assessment from routine CT datasets in AF patients, potentially improving pre-ablation characterization without requiring additional CMR.
Lv L, Qin C, Ji A et al. · European journal of radiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Creating bottom-up RNA transfer vehicles from synthetic protein assemblies.
This Nature article investigates whether AI-designed synthetic protein assemblies can be functionalized to create nucleic acid transfer vehicles that do not rely on evolutionary viral capsid design. The study combines generative protein design with functionalization strategies to build bottom-up RNA transfer systems from engineered protein architectures. Scientifically, it advances the concept of programmable, evolution-independent delivery platforms for genetic material using AI-guided protein engineering.
Schuhmacher MK, Gruber C, Lang CMR et al. · Nature · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Coronary anomalies and ischemia-related electrical/structural mechanisms
Inferior ST-segment elevation in anterior myocardial infarction: Coronary anatomy and CMR-defined injury distribution-A pilot study.
This exploratory pilot study investigated the coronary anatomy and CMR-defined myocardial injury substrate underlying inferior ST-segment elevation (STE) in patients with first anterior STEMI who underwent successful primary PCI and CMR within 1 week. Patients were stratified by inferior STE in all three inferior leads, and the study assessed how LAD anatomical patterns and the spatial distribution of CMR injury relate to the observed electrical findings. Scientifically, it tests whether factors beyond wraparound LAD anatomy—such as electrical field orientation reflected by injury distribution—contribute to concomitant inferior STE.
Aslanger EK, Aggül B, Hamkan E et al. · Journal of electrocardiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Exercise-Induced Ventricular Tachycardia Unmasking High-Risk Anomalous Right Coronary Artery in an Adult.
This adult case report studied a 43-year-old physically active man with exercise-related symptoms to determine the cause of exercise-induced ventricular tachycardia using exercise stress testing and coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA). The key finding was that frequent ventricular ectopy progressing to nonsustained ventricular tachycardia during recovery unmasked a high-risk anomalous right coronary artery arising from the left sinus (AAOCA), identified on CCTA. The clinical significance is that AAOCA may present in adulthood with exertional arrhythmias, so exercise-triggered ventricular tachycardia should prompt coronary anomaly evaluation.
Eisa A, Rashwan R, Aldarab’ah FM et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Generated automatically on September 09, 2026. Covers PubMed articles published September 02, 2026 – September 09, 2026. Summaries are AI-generated; always consult the original publication for clinical or research decisions.