What's New in Cardiac MRI? — September 19, 2026
AI-summarised digest of 34 PubMed articles on Cardiac MRI published in the last 7 days.
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What’s New in Cardiac MRI?
September 19, 2026 · 34 articles · 15 research themes · covering September 12, 2026 – September 19, 2026
Overview
This week’s cardiovascular research is dominated by a push toward mechanism-informed risk stratification—linking immune biology, genetics, and imaging-derived tissue injury to downstream outcomes like arrhythmias, remodeling, and recovery after ischemic events. Studies in latent viral infection (murine CMV latency) and infectious triggers in sarcoidosis (CVB antibodies) emphasize that “smoldering” inflammation can reshape cardiac immune dynamics and prognosis. In parallel, large-scale genetic epidemiology (F11-based genetically proxied FXI inhibition) and UK Biobank analyses integrating cytokines with gene–environment effects highlight how inflammatory pathways and thrombosis biology may translate into measurable cardiovascular risk and cardiac function.
A second major theme is the maturation of cardiac imaging as a quantitative biomarker platform. Multiple papers focus on CMR-derived tissue characterization—late gadolinium enhancement, strain, and atrial remodeling after ablation—showing that local, physiology-sensitive measures can outperform simpler global metrics for predicting adverse remodeling or arrhythmic risk. Imaging strategy papers extend this by testing multimodality approaches (FDG PET/CT added to CMR for myocarditis prognosis) and by refining operational use of stress CMR (warranty periods after normal tests). Together, these works suggest that the field is moving from “diagnose disease” toward “measure risk and guide follow-up intensity.”
Finally, several studies broaden the context around who is at risk and how it should be managed: sex differences after acute ischemic stroke, surveillance in systemic genetic disorders (NF1, ATTRv-PN), and distinguishing adaptive from pathological remodeling in athletes. Therapeutic direction is also present—most notably a trial testing whether empagliflozin and/or carvedilol can interrupt TR–RV remodeling—and preclinical work connecting hemodynamic overload to anthracycline cardiotoxicity. Outside cardiology, the digest includes oncology FDG-PET/CT response prognostication and a non-cardiac imaging workflow paper, underscoring a broader trend toward better imaging analytics and more efficient clinical pipelines.
Cardiac surveillance and screening in systemic diseases (e.g., NF1, ATTRv-PN)
Cardiac involvement in neurofibromatosis type 1: real-world baseline and follow-up findings from a tertiary single-center cohort.
This study assessed the prevalence and spectrum of cardiac abnormalities in 114 pediatric patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) using electrocardiography (ECG), echocardiography (ECHO), and blood pressure measurement, with Holter ECG and cardiac MRI performed when indicated. Cardiac abnormalities were detected at baseline in 35/114 (30.7%) patients after excluding isolated patent [truncated], with follow-up ECHO used to characterize longitudinal findings. These real-world pediatric data support routine cardiovascular surveillance in NF1 to identify early cardiac involvement and guide risk stratification.
Öz Yıldız S, İmanlı M, Aykan HH et al. · European journal of pediatrics · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Subclinical cardiomyopathy in premanifest carriers of late-onset hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis with polyneuropathy.
This study characterized subclinical cardiomyopathy in premanifest carriers of the late-onset hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis with polyneuropathy (ATTRv-PN) using the transthyretin p.A117S variant. It assessed cardiomyopathy risk with the Mayo ATTR-CM score and evaluated cardiac involvement using echocardiography, 99mTc-pyrophosphate (PYP) SPECT, and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), comparing premanifest carriers with healthy controls and ATTRv-PN stage 1 polyneuropathy disability patients (results truncated). The findings clarify early cardiac phenotypes before overt neuropathy progression, supporting earlier detection and monitoring in ATTRv-PN.
Wang TW, Su MY, Cheng MF et al. · Journal of the Formosan Medical Association = Taiwan yi zhi · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Cardiovascular Effects of Chronic GIPR and GLP-1R Agonism in Lean and Diet-Induced Obese Mice: Sex Differences and Dose-Dependent Remodeling.
This preclinical study used continuous infusion of a GIP receptor agonist (GIPR agonist) or a GLP-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1R agonist) in lean and diet-induced obese male and female mice to assess short-term cardiovascular remodeling. Over one month at multiple doses (0.1–1.0 mg/kg/day), the authors evaluated sex-specific cardiac effects of GIPR versus GLP-1R stimulation under metabolic stress. The findings clarify how GIPR and GLP-1R agonism differentially remodel the heart by sex and dose, informing translational expectations for incretin-based therapies in obesity and type 2 diabetes.
Göktaş SŞ, Francisco A, Duarte JMN et al. · American journal of physiology. Heart and circulatory physiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Non-cardiac oncology imaging and treatment response (FDG-PET/CT)
FDG-PET/CT-based treatment response predicts recurrence and overall survival in locally advanced cervical cancer.
This retrospective study evaluated whether FDG-PET/CT treatment response metrics—including SUVmax and volume-based parameters (metabolic tumour volume [MTV] and total lesion glycolysis [TLG])—predict recurrence and overall survival in 133 patients with locally advanced cervical cancer. The key finding was that FDG-PET/CT-based treatment response using these PET parameters can predict both recurrence and overall survival, with volume-based measures potentially offering improved prognostic performance over SUVmax (details truncated). Clinically, PET/CT response assessment could refine post-treatment risk stratification and follow-up intensity in locally advanced cervical cancer.
Markus M, Sartor H, Bjurberg M et al. · BMC medical imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
The changing therapeutic landscape of small-cell lung cancer.
This Lancet review evaluated the evolving therapeutic landscape for small-cell lung cancer (SCLC), focusing on how advances in SCLC biology are translating into new treatment strategies. It emphasizes that while chemotherapy initially works, recurrence is often refractory, and that identifying SCLC cell-surface proteins has enabled targeted therapies with early evidence of efficacy. The review is significant for guiding future clinical development by linking molecular targets and preclinical discoveries to emerging therapeutic options for an aggressive, treatment-resistant cancer.
Ross JS, Hockemeyer KG, Redin E et al. · Lancet (London, England) · (2026) · 2 citations · View on PubMed ↗
Cardiac imaging biomarkers (CMR/CT) and tissue characterization
CMR and FDG PET/CT Imaging Phenotypes and their Association with Outcomes in Patients with Known or Suspected Myocarditis.
This registry-based analysis examined whether adding FDG PET/CT provides incremental prognostic value beyond cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) in patients with known or suspected myocarditis (from 1,646 patients who underwent FDG PET/CT for inflammatory cardiomyopathy). The study’s central finding was that FDG PET/CT contributes prognostic information in addition to CMR for outcomes in myocarditis patients (specific effect estimates truncated). This supports a multimodality imaging strategy to better predict prognosis in inflammatory cardiomyopathy.
Rojulpote CS, Hankinson SJ, Carre S et al. · Journal of nuclear cardiology : official publication of the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Myocardial Strain Evaluation from Cardiovascular MRI and CT: Physiological Principles and Clinical Perspectives.
This review synthesized the physiological principles and clinical perspectives of myocardial strain assessment derived from cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) and cardiac computed tomography (CCT). It found that strain provides locally defined, physiology-sensitive markers of myocardial deformation that can add information beyond global functional measures. Scientifically and clinically, strain imaging may improve detection and characterization of myocardial disease by capturing mesostructure-driven deformation patterns.
Hussein TM, Pourmorteza A, Oshinski JN · The British journal of radiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Right Atrial Cardiomyopathy Assessed by Late Gadolinium Enhancement Cardiac MRI Following Pulmonary Vein Isolation in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation.
This study used 3D late gadolinium enhancement cardiac MRI (LGE-CMR) to quantify right atrial (RA) tissue remodeling before and after pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) in 54 patients with atrial fibrillation, with 18 healthy volunteers as controls. After PVI, RA LGE burden was assessed using image-intensity-ratio thresholds to distinguish border-zone from dense fibrosis, and the extent of tissue-level remodeling was evaluated in relation to 1-year AF recurrence. These findings link reverse right atrial structural remodeling after PVI to measurable atrial fibrosis on LGE-CMR, potentially improving mechanistic prediction of AF recurrence.
van Pouderoijen N, Hopman LHGA, Post M et al. · Heart rhythm · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Cardiomyopathy genetics and inherited cardiomyopathies
Fulminant Biventricular Desmoplakin Cardiomyopathy With a Myocarditis-Like Presentation.
This case report described a 23-year-old man with fulminant biventricular desmoplakin (DSP) cardiomyopathy presenting with a myocarditis-like phenotype after 2 months of intermittent fever. Whole-exome sequencing identified a likely pathogenic DSP variant, and cardiac MRI showed extensive circumferential subepicardial ring-like fibrosis with severe biventricular systolic dysfunction (LVEF 11%) and ventricular ectopy/NSVT (infectious and other causes excluded). The report highlights that DSP cardiomyopathy can mimic myocarditis and that genetic testing is crucial for timely diagnosis and risk stratification.
Byreddi B, Kumar P, Imayavaramban B et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: state of the art on diagnosis and current therapeutic approach.
This review article summarizes current diagnostic strategies and therapeutic approaches for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) across genetically diverse patient populations. It highlights that modern cardiovascular imaging and genetic testing improve phenotypic characterization and risk stratification, reflecting the condition’s clinical heterogeneity from asymptomatic disease to heart failure, arrhythmias, and sudden cardiac death. Clinically, the synthesis supports more precise, genotype-informed management and ongoing refinement of treatment selection based on imaging and prognostic risk.
La Franca E, Parisi F, Lucchino A et al. · Cardiovascular ultrasound · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Thrombosis, anticoagulation targets, and cardiovascular safety (FXI/antithrombotics)
Association of F11 Gene Variants With Cardiovascular Events and Cardiac Function.
This prospective genetic epidemiology study tested whether F11 gene–based genetic scores reflecting genetically proxied FXI inhibition associate with cardiovascular events and cardiac function in 408,642 UK Biobank participants of European ancestry. The key finding was that genetic FXI inhibition (via F11-based scores) is associated with cardiovascular outcomes and measures of cardiac function, consistent with prior observations linking FXI biology to heart failure and atrial fibrillation risk (specific results truncated). These findings inform the cardiovascular safety/benefit interpretation of FXI-targeting antithrombotic strategies.
Ye Q, Hu S, Yang R et al. · Journal of the American Heart Association · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Inflammation and cytokine biology for cardiovascular risk prediction
Gene-environment interactions shape cytokine-mediated inflammation and cardiovascular risk.
This study investigated how gene–environment interactions shape cytokine-mediated inflammation and cardiovascular risk using UK Biobank data from 488,079 participants with metabolomic/proteomic profiling and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging. It found that cytokine-related inflammatory signaling integrates genetic and environmental influences to relate to cardiovascular phenotypes and longitudinal risk (machine-learning approach described but results truncated). The work advances mechanistic understanding of inflammation-driven cardiac remodeling and supports more personalized cardiovascular risk prediction.
Corianò M, Tahasildar S, Huang L et al. · European journal of preventive cardiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Molecular mechanism of HUWE1-HAPSTR1-USP7-mediated ubiquitin chain amplification on nuclear proteins.
This study investigated how the HUWE1 (HECT-type E3 ligase) ubiquitin chain amplification complex—regulated by HAPSTR1 and USP7—targets nuclear proteins for degradation in cellular and structural/biochemical systems. HUWE1 was found to capture pre-ubiquitinated substrates and amplify degradation signals by assembling long ubiquitin chains with K11–K48 branch points, with HAPSTR1 and USP7 controlling this chain-building process. These mechanistic insights clarify a substrate-selectivity pathway for HUWE1-mediated proteostasis under stress and suggest potential molecular targets for diseases involving dysregulated ubiquitin signaling.
Yatskevich S, Mohapatra J, Mroue R et al. · Molecular cell · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Monitoring disease activity in eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis: a scoping review.
This scoping review evaluated published methods, biomarkers, imaging, and procedures used to monitor disease activity or treatment response in eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) from 2005 onward. The review highlighted that commonly used tools such as BVAS inadequately capture EGPA-specific respiratory and eosinophilic features, motivating assessment of more tailored monitoring strategies. Clinically, the findings support development and selection of EGPA-appropriate activity measures to better guide treatment decisions and track response.
Tesi M, Fibbi I, Rella C et al. · Clinical and experimental rheumatology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Arrhythmia risk, electrophysiology, and conduction disorders
Myocardial late gadolinium enhancement is strongly associated with ventricular arrhythmias in mitral valve prolapse.
This prospective observational study evaluated associations between CMR findings and ventricular arrhythmias in 45 consecutive patients with mitral valve prolapse (MVP) using 24-hour Holter monitoring and exercise stress testing. Myocardial late gadolinium enhancement (M-LGE), quantified as percent of left ventricular mass and stratified by tertiles, was strongly associated with ventricular arrhythmias in MVP patients (MAD and other details truncated). The results suggest that CMR-detected myocardial LGE can help identify MVP patients at higher arrhythmic risk.
Vedernikov NL, Goitein O, Goldkorn R et al. · The international journal of cardiovascular imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Accessory Pathways in Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy: A Two-Case Series and Literature Review.
This two-case series and literature review examined arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) patients with exceptionally rare accessory pathways, focusing on concealed pathways without ventricular pre-excitation. The authors reported two young patients with ARVC who had supraventricular tachycardia mediated by concealed accessory pathways (including a left lateral retrograde-only pathway in one case). Scientifically and clinically, the report underscores that ARVC patients can harbor accessory pathways and that electrophysiologic evaluation may be warranted when supraventricular arrhythmias occur.
Leiria TLL, de Lima GG, Baroni AC et al. · Indian pacing and electrophysiology journal · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Dyssynchrony-Induced Cardiomyopathy in Children: Mechanisms, Diagnosis, and Contemporary Management.
This narrative review analyzed dyssynchrony-induced cardiomyopathy in children, focusing on mechanisms, diagnostic criteria, and contemporary management strategies. It emphasized that dyssynchrony can be causal when sustained electrical activation abnormalities drive concordant mechanical dyssynchrony and adverse remodeling, with improvement after correction of the electrical substrate—most strongly supported by evidence for chronic right ventricular pacing and ventricular pre-excitation. The review is significant because it provides a framework to identify reversible pediatric cardiomyopathy and to guide targeted interventions to correct the underlying electrical dyssynchrony.
Das BB, Singh HR · Pediatric cardiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Sex Differences in Cardiac Rhythm and Conduction Abnormalities After Noncardioembolic Ischemic Stroke.
This study investigated sex differences in newly diagnosed cardiac rhythm and conduction abnormalities occurring within 1 year after noncardioembolic acute ischemic stroke (AIS) in 673 patients (39% women) without prior cardiac disease. After standardized post-AIS evaluation including 24-hour in-hospital telemetry, 24-hour blood pressure monitoring, and echocardiography, the authors reported sex-specific patterns in the incidence of post-stroke cardiac pathologies. These findings highlight sex as an important modifier of brain–heart interactions after AIS and may guide more tailored cardiac monitoring strategies.
Schmick A, Rohner MH, Gebhard C et al. · Journal of the American Heart Association · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Therapeutic trials and pharmacologic interventions for cardiac remodeling
Clinical Pharmacokinetics and Disposition of Imrecoxib.
This narrative review summarized the clinical pharmacokinetics and disposition of imrecoxib, a COX-2–preferential NSAID approved in China for osteoarthritis. It found that after oral dosing imrecoxib reaches peak plasma concentrations in 2–3 hours, food increases systemic exposure, and metabolism proceeds sequentially from imrecoxib (M0) to 4’-hydroxymethylimrecoxib (M1), then to 4’-formylimrecoxib (M-CHO), and finally to 4’-carboxyimrecoxib (M2) (full interaction and dosing guidance truncated). These data support safer clinical use by informing absorption, metabolism, and potential need for dose considerations in special populations.
Zhao S, Li C, Mallillin MC et al. · Clinical pharmacokinetics · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Effect of empagliflozin with or without carvedilol on tricuspid regurgitation and right ventricular remodeling: PROVE trial.
In the PROVE randomized 2×2 factorial trial, 56 patients with significant functional tricuspid regurgitation (TR) were assigned to sustained-release carvedilol (carvedilol SR), empagliflozin, their combination, or placebo to test effects on right ventricular (RV) remodeling. The primary endpoint was change in RV end-systolic volume index over 12 months, with secondary endpoints assessing TR severity and related RV structural changes. The trial directly evaluates whether empagliflozin and/or carvedilol can break the TR–RV remodeling vicious cycle, potentially offering medical therapy options beyond procedural management.
Kim GY, Lim SM, Yang DH et al. · Journal of cardiovascular imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Imaging workflow, protocol optimization, and operational efficiency
Improving Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Scanning Efficiency: Impact on Diagnostic Image Quality and Patient Management.
This JACC Case Reports study assessed a dual-intervention workflow in patients undergoing cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR), using a scanner library of optimized, pathology-driven protocols and real-time hybrid supervision by an advanced imaging cardiologist. In a retrospective chart review of 499 cases (160 pre- and 339 post-intervention), the strategy reduced CMR scan times by 38.6% while aiming to maintain diagnostic image quality and improve patient management. Operationally, the results suggest that protocol optimization plus remote/in-person oversight can expand CMR capacity without compromising clinical utility.
Odigie-Okon E, Ogunleye O, Saxena R et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Adaptation of Segment Anything Model enhanced by contrastive-manifold-regularised SSL and YOLO prompting for liver tumour segmentation.
This study developed MED-SAM, a 2D semi-supervised liver tumor segmentation framework that adapts the Segment Anything Model (SAM) using contrastive-manifold-regularised self-supervised learning and YOLO-guided click prompts. The method was designed to address limited annotated data and computational scalability issues of 3D approaches, improving segmentation performance for liver tumors. Clinically, this could enable more efficient and accurate tumor delineation workflows for real-time or resource-constrained settings.
Zhu C, Zhu H, Wang Q et al. · Artificial intelligence in medicine · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Occupational/environmental exposures and health risk assessment
Assessment of carcinogenic, mutagenic, and reprotoxic (CMR) substance exposure levels outside supplied-air respirators during shipboard spray painting in confined spaces.
This case report studied occupational exposure levels to carcinogenic, mutagenic, and reprotoxic (CMR) substances during shipboard spray painting in confined spaces among 15 workers across five South Korean shipyard companies. Using activated charcoal tubes and passive samplers placed outside supplied-air respirator facepieces, the study quantified environmental exposure during active spraying (excluding preparation) at eight measurement sites. The findings are significant for occupational health risk assessment and for improving respiratory protection and exposure controls in confined shipyard spray operations.
Kim YJ, Kim KY · Industrial health · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Ischemic heart disease, microvascular dysfunction, and post-MI remodeling
Endotype-informed therapy and effects on illness perception and psychological health in patients with chest pain and no obstructive coronary artery disease.
This randomized controlled trial evaluated whether non-invasive stress perfusion cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) used to define ischemic endotypes and guide targeted therapy improves illness perception and psychological health in patients with chest pain and no obstructive coronary artery disease (ANOCA). Compared with standard angiography-guided care, endotype-informed targeted therapy based on stress CMR was tested for effects on patient-reported outcomes related to diagnostic uncertainty and distress. If effective, the approach would support CMR endotyping as a strategy not only for clinical management but also for improving psychological well-being in ANOCA.
Bradley CP, McKinley G, Orchard V et al. · European heart journal. Quality of care & clinical outcomes · (2026) · 1 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Long-Term Warranty Period of Stress CMR and SPECT in Stable Angina: Implications for Repeat Testing.
This study used data from the CE-MARC trial to assess long-term prognostic value and operational “warranty periods” for normal results of stress cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) versus stress SPECT in stable angina. By comparing outcomes after normal functional imaging tests, the authors aimed to determine how long a reassuring test result remains prognostically valid and how CMR and SPECT differ in that duration. Clinically, establishing warranty periods can reduce unnecessary repeat testing and improve resource use while maintaining safe follow-up.
Bisaccia G, Swoboda PP, Younger JF et al. · JACC. Cardiovascular imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Traditional left ventricular indices outperform novel cardiovascular magnetic resonance-derived left atrial parameters in predicting adverse left ventricular remodelling after ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.
This post-hoc analysis of the EURO-ICE trial evaluated which cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) functional parameters best predict early adverse left ventricular (LV) remodeling after anterior ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in 200 patients. The study compared traditional LV indices and novel CMR-derived left atrial parameters (including LA strain and left atrioventricular coupling index, LACI) against outcomes related to adverse LV remodeling. The key finding was that traditional LV indices outperformed novel CMR-derived LA parameters for predicting adverse LV remodeling, informing which CMR metrics are most clinically useful for early risk stratification after STEMI.
Yosofi B, Zelis JM, Raafs A et al. · International journal of cardiology · (2026) · 1 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Pre-perfusion coronary wedge pressure and microvascular obstruction in anterior ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI): An analysis from the EUROICE study.
This EURO-ICE analysis examined whether pre-perfusion coronary wedge pressure (CWP), measured during balloon occlusion, is associated with microvascular obstruction (MVO) on cardiac MRI and adverse remodeling in anterior STEMI patients. In contrast to post-reperfusion invasive indices like the index of microvascular resistance (IMR), CWP was used as an invasive marker of microvascular function during coronary occlusion. The study supports CWP as a potentially earlier, clinically actionable indicator of microvascular injury that may better forecast subsequent LV remodeling after timely primary PCI.
Butt H, van Beek K, Sajjad U et al. · International journal of cardiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Cardiac remodeling and heart failure progression (mechanisms and biomarkers)
Anthracycline cardiotoxicity: role of metabolic vulnerability induced by cardiac pressure overload.
This experimental study investigated how cardiac pressure overload creates metabolic vulnerability that modulates anthracycline cardiotoxicity, using two-month-old Yucatan pigs subjected to aortic banding (pressure overload) or sham surgery. After 4 months, animals received low-risk cumulative doxorubicin dosing (5 weekly 1 mg/kg IV injections) or vehicle, enabling comparison of cardiotoxic outcomes across overload and drug exposure conditions. The work is significant because it links hemodynamic stress to anthracycline injury mechanisms, potentially informing risk stratification and therapeutic targeting in patients with hypertension or valvular disease.
Galán-Arriola C, Pérez-Camargo D, Jorge I et al. · European heart journal · (2026) · 7 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Physiological rather than pathological cardiac remodeling in olympic-style elite weightlifters: an imaging and biomarker study.
This cross-sectional imaging and biomarker study examined whether long-term elite “Olympic-style” resistance training produces physiological rather than pathological cardiac remodeling in 13 male weightlifters (≥5 years experience) versus 13 age-matched controls. Using cardiac MRI native T1, extracellular volume (ECV), and late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) alongside echocardiographic longitudinal strain and serum biomarkers (including galectin-3, sST2, TNF-α, endothelin-1, TGF-β, and troponin), the authors found training-associated cardiac changes consistent with adaptive remodeling rather than maladaptive fibrosis. The results support a tissue- and biomarker-based distinction between athlete-like remodeling and pathological myocardial injury, informing interpretation of CMR findings in high-intensity athletes.
Yargic MP, Akin S, Duzgun SA et al. · European journal of applied physiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Right ventricular-pulmonary arterial coupling in transfusion-dependent thalassemia: a cross-sectional cardiac MRI study.
This cross-sectional cardiac MRI study assessed right ventricle–pulmonary artery coupling (RVPAc) in 1154 transfusion-dependent thalassemia (TDT) patients from the E-MIOT project and compared them with 167 matched healthy controls. RVPAc was calculated from right ventricular and pulmonary artery measures derived from cardiac MRI and was analyzed against demographic and clinical variables, imaging findings, and heart failure status. By identifying how RVPAc relates to disease severity and heart failure in TDT, the study supports RVPAc as a potential imaging biomarker for right-sided cardiopulmonary dysfunction in iron-overload cardiomyopathy.
Meloni A, Saba L, Pistoia L et al. · European radiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Viral infection and immune-mediated cardiac inflammation
High prevalence of coxsackievirus B antibodies in patients with cardiac sarcoidosis: a retrospective cohort study.
This retrospective cohort study examined whether coxsackievirus B (CVB) antibodies are prevalent in patients with cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) and compared seropositivity with external comparator cohorts. Using CVB antibody testing from 2011–2025 at the University of Kansas Health System, the authors assessed CVB seropositivity rates in CS patients and contextualized them against published registry populations such as MAVERIC. The findings are significant because they evaluate CVB as a potentially accessible biomarker or infectious trigger associated with cardiac involvement in sarcoidosis.
Donnelly KL, Wilmoth J, Osborne W et al. · Open heart · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Cytomegalovirus Latency Fuels Inflammation Following Myocardial Infarction.
This study examined how latent murine cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in C57BL/6J mice alters cardiac immune cell dynamics at baseline and after myocardial infarction (MI) repair. Using spectral flow cytometry plus bulk and single-cell RNA/T-cell receptor (TCR) sequencing, the authors found that CMV latency sustains post-MI inflammation by reshaping immune cell responses during cardiac repair. These findings support a mechanistic link between CMV latency and adverse cardiovascular outcomes and suggest that targeting CMV-driven inflammatory pathways could improve post-MI recovery.
Dapergola E, Šustić M, Ashour D et al. · Circulation research · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Valvular heart disease and right-sided remodeling (TR/PVR/TOF)
Repaired tetralogy of Fallot across adulthood: from right ventricular remodelling to targeted intervention.
This narrative review summarizes longitudinal right ventricular (RV) remodeling and targeted management strategies in adults with repaired tetralogy of Fallot (rTOF). It emphasizes how chronic pulmonary regurgitation and/or residual right ventricular outflow tract obstruction drive progressive RV dilatation, dysfunction, dyssynchrony, and myocardial fibrosis, leading to heart failure and ventricular arrhythmias. The review highlights contemporary multimodality imaging, pulmonary valve replacement (PVR), arrhythmia risk stratification, and emerging pharmacologic strategies to guide surveillance and intervention across adulthood.
Cienkowski K, Moll M, Cienkowska A et al. · Heart failure reviews · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Physical activity, sedentary behavior, and cardiometabolic fat
Associations between accelerometer-measured physical activity, sedentary behaviour and pericardial adiposity: a prospective cohort study of UK Biobank participants.
This prospective cohort study assessed associations between accelerometer-measured physical activity (light, moderate, vigorous) and sedentary behavior with pericardial adiposity in 16,685 UK Biobank participants. Using wrist-worn triaxial accelerometry and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, the authors reported that objectively measured activity patterns relate to pericardial fat accumulation after adjustment for confounders. Scientifically, the results strengthen evidence that reducing sedentary time and increasing activity may limit cardiometabolic fat depots linked to cardiovascular risk.
Yang W, Chen Z, Li S et al. · BMJ public health · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Generated automatically on September 19, 2026. Covers PubMed articles published September 12, 2026 – September 19, 2026. Summaries are AI-generated; always consult the original publication for clinical or research decisions.