What’s New in Cardiac MRI?

September 20, 2026 · 37 articles · 15 research themes · covering September 13, 2026 – September 20, 2026

Overview

Across this week’s set of studies and reviews, a dominant theme is the move toward more mechanistic, tissue-level cardiovascular phenotyping using advanced imaging—especially CMR. Multiple papers link specific CMR-derived features (e.g., LGE scar burden, strain, tissue mapping parameters, and right-sided coupling metrics) to clinically meaningful outcomes such as ventricular arrhythmias, atrial fibrillation recurrence after ablation, HFpEF mechanistic severity, and early post-STEMI remodeling. Complementing this, work on imaging efficiency and protocol standardization highlights that operational improvements (optimized, pathology-driven scan libraries and expert supervision) can reduce scan times without sacrificing clinical decision-making.

A second major theme is risk stratification through endotype- and biomarker-informed approaches. In nonobstructive chest pain (ANOCA), CMR-based ischemic endotyping improved patient-centered outcomes, while in stable angina, “warranty period” concepts for normal stress CMR vs SPECT support safer, less repetitive testing. In myocarditis/inflammatory cardiomyopathy, adding FDG PET/CT to CMR improved prognostic prediction, reinforcing multimodality strategies. Several studies also emphasize biological triggers—viral latency (CMV), infectious serologies (CVB in cardiac sarcoidosis), and Chagas disease—suggesting that immune/infectious context may help explain heterogeneity in cardiac outcomes.

Finally, the digest reflects growing translational momentum from therapeutics and computational methods. Trials and mechanistic experiments explore cardiometabolic and hemodynamic determinants of remodeling (e.g., empagliflozin/carvedilol for TR–RV vicious cycles; pressure overload increasing anthracycline susceptibility), while genetic and molecular studies (factor XI pathway scores; ubiquitin-proteostasis mechanisms) provide additional causal clues. On the computational side, AI/ML is increasingly applied to segmentation and diagnostic triage (including ATTR amyloidosis screening), aiming to reduce under-recognition and make advanced phenotyping scalable in routine care.

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Therapeutics & Pharmacology (Drug mechanisms, PK, incretins, cardioprotection)

β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate improves fast-twitch muscle function, histopathology and mitochondrial respiration in the D2.mdx dystrophic mouse.

This study tested whether 8 weeks of β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate (HMB) supplementation improves fast-twitch muscle function, histopathology, and mitochondrial respiration in D2.mdx dystrophic mice (a dystrophin-deficient mouse model). HMB improved fast-twitch muscle performance and histopathological measures and enhanced mitochondrial respiratory function compared with untreated dystrophic controls. These findings support HMB as a potential metabolic/mitochondria-targeted therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy–like pathology, with relevance strengthened by extending beyond the earlier juvenile mdx peak-damage window.

Giourmas N, Lalunio H, Calzoni M et al. · The Journal of physiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

Association of F11 Gene Variants With Cardiovascular Events and Cardiac Function.

This prospective study used UK Biobank data (408,642 participants of European ancestry) to test whether genetic variants related to factor XI (F11) inhibition are associated with cardiovascular events and cardiac function. The authors constructed F11-based genetic scores and applied adjusted Cox and linear regression models to evaluate incident heart failure and atrial fibrillation and measures of cardiac function. The study provides genetic evidence linking F11-related pathways to cardiovascular risk, informing how FXI-targeted antithrombotic strategies might affect cardiac outcomes.

Ye Q, Hu S, Yang R et al. · Journal of the American Heart Association · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

Clinical Pharmacokinetics and Disposition of Imrecoxib.

This narrative review summarized the clinical pharmacokinetics and disposition of imrecoxib, a COX-2–preferential nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug approved in China for osteoarthritis, including effects of food, protein binding, metabolism, special populations, and drug–drug interactions. After oral dosing, imrecoxib reached peak plasma concentrations at 2–3 hours, food increased systemic exposure, and metabolism proceeded sequentially from imrecoxib (M0) to 4’-hydroxymethylimrecoxib (M1), then to 4’-formylimrecoxib (M-CHO), and finally to 4’-carboxyimrecoxib (M2). These data support rational dosing and safety considerations for imrecoxib use and guide potential dose adjustments in special populations and with interacting drugs.

Zhao S, Li C, Mallillin MC et al. · Clinical pharmacokinetics · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

Molecular mechanism of HUWE1-HAPSTR1-USP7-mediated ubiquitin chain amplification on nuclear proteins.

This mechanistic study examined how the HUWE1–HAPSTR1–USP7 axis amplifies ubiquitin chain formation on nuclear proteins, focusing on HUWE1’s role as a ubiquitin chain amplifier. The authors found that HUWE1 captures pre-ubiquitinated substrates and assembles long ubiquitin chains with K11–K48 branch points, with HAPSTR1 and USP7 regulating this process based on structural and biochemical analyses. These findings clarify a nuclear protein degradation control mechanism that could inform how cells coordinate stress-responsive proteostasis.

Yatskevich S, Mohapatra J, Mroue R et al. · Molecular cell · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

Assessment of carcinogenic, mutagenic, and reprotoxic (CMR) substance exposure levels outside supplied-air respirators during shipboard spray painting in confined spaces.

This case report measured occupational exposure levels to carcinogenic, mutagenic, and reprotoxic (CMR) substances during shipboard spray painting in confined spaces outside supplied-air respirators. Using activated charcoal tubes and passive samplers placed outside the respirator facepiece, the study quantified environmental exposure at eight sites across five shipyard companies with 15 workers during active spray painting. The findings provide real-world exposure evidence that can inform industrial hygiene controls and respiratory protection practices for confined-space painting operations.

Kim YJ, Kim KY · Industrial health · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

Anthracycline cardiotoxicity: role of metabolic vulnerability induced by cardiac pressure overload.

This experimental study investigated how cardiac pressure overload alters metabolic vulnerability to anthracycline cardiotoxicity by using aortic banding in 2-month-old Yucatan pigs followed by doxorubicin exposure. The key finding was that left ventricular pressure overload increased susceptibility to doxorubicin-induced cardiac injury, consistent with a mechanistic metabolic vulnerability under hemodynamic stress. Scientifically, it identifies pressure-overload physiology as a determinant of anthracycline risk, supporting more targeted cardioprotection strategies 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 ↗

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 tested short-term cardiovascular effects of chronic GIP receptor (GIPR) versus GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonism in lean and diet-induced obese mice, examining sex differences and dose-dependent cardiac remodeling after one month of continuous infusion. The key finding was that GIPR and GLP-1R agonism produced distinct, sex-specific remodeling patterns in the heart, with effects varying by dose and metabolic phenotype (lean vs diet-induced obese). These results are significant for refining which incretin-pathway targets may yield cardiovascular benefit and for anticipating sex- and dose-dependent responses.

Göktaş SŞ, Francisco A, Duarte JMN et al. · American journal of physiology. Heart and circulatory physiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

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Infectious/Immunologic Triggers in Cardiac Disease (CMV/CVB/Chagas/Sarcoidosis)

Chagas Cardiomyopathy: New-Onset Biventricular Failure and Refractory Ventricular Arrhythmias.

This case report described two men with Chagas disease–associated cardiomyopathy presenting with new-onset biventricular failure and refractory ventricular arrhythmias, confirmed by positive Trypanosoma cruzi serology. Both patients required advanced heart failure management including inotropic support and were discharged on guideline-directed medical therapy with arrhythmia protection (including a wearable cardioverter-defibrillator in the first case). The report highlights the need to consider Chagas cardiomyopathy in patients with nonischemic cardiomyopathy and ventricular arrhythmias, especially in individuals with relevant geographic exposure.

Metri AA, Rehman OU, Kaiprath AR et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

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 participants with metabolomic/proteomic profiling and CMR imaging (n=488,079 for the analyzed subsets). Chronic inflammation was quantified via glycoprotein acetyls (GlycA) measured by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and machine learning approaches were used to relate cytokine signaling and environmental/genetic factors to inflammation and cardiac phenotypes. The findings aim to clarify mechanistic links between systemic inflammatory signaling and cardiac remodeling, supporting more personalized cardiovascular risk prediction.

Corianò M, Tahasildar S, Huang L et al. · European journal of preventive cardiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

Monitoring disease activity in eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis: a scoping review.

This scoping review evaluated methods to monitor disease activity and treatment response in eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA), focusing on limitations of conventional tools like the Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score (BVAS) for EGPA-relevant respiratory and eosinophilic features. It systematically summarized evidence from 2005 onward on biomarkers, imaging, and other procedures used to track EGPA activity. The review supports improved, disease-specific monitoring strategies that better reflect EGPA pathophysiology and therapeutic response.

Tesi M, Fibbi I, Rella C et al. · Clinical and experimental rheumatology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

High prevalence of coxsackievirus B antibodies in patients with cardiac sarcoidosis: a retrospective cohort study.

This retrospective cohort study examined coxsackievirus B (CVB) antibody prevalence in patients with cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) using available CVB serology from 2011–2025 at the University of Kansas Health System. The key finding was a high rate of CVB seropositivity among CS patients compared with external comparator populations. Clinically, this suggests CVB exposure may be a relevant infectious biomarker or trigger in CS and could support earlier identification of cardiac involvement.

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 investigated how latent murine cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection alters cardiac immune cell dynamics at baseline and after myocardial infarction (MI) repair in C57BL/6J mice. Using spectral flow cytometry plus bulk and single-cell RNA/T-cell receptor (TCR) sequencing, it found that CMV latency fuels post-MI inflammation by reshaping immune responses during cardiac repair. The scientific significance is that CMV latency may be a mechanistic contributor to worse post-MI outcomes, supporting immune-targeted strategies in CMV-seropositive patients.

Dapergola E, Šustić M, Ashour D et al. · Circulation research · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

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Cardiomyopathies & Genetic/Endotype-Based Risk (HCM, DSP, ARVC, MVP scar, Inherited)

Cardiac involvement in neurofibromatosis type 1: real-world baseline and follow-up findings from a tertiary single-center cohort.

This tertiary single-center cohort study evaluated pediatric neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) patients for cardiac abnormalities and their associations with demographic/clinical parameters using ECG, echocardiography, blood pressure measurement, and additional testing (Holter ECG and cardiac MRI) when indicated. Cardiac abnormalities were detected at baseline in a substantial fraction of the 114 children, and the study assessed how these findings related to NF1 clinical characteristics over follow-up. The results provide real-world baseline and longitudinal data to guide cardiac surveillance strategies in children with NF1.

Öz Yıldız S, İmanlı M, Aykan HH et al. · European journal of pediatrics · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

Presumed Primary Cardiac Angiosarcoma With Atrioventricular Groove Rupture and Right Coronary Artery Compromise: A Case Report and Literature Review.

This article reported a case of presumed primary cardiac angiosarcoma in a patient with hemorrhagic pericardial effusion and a right-sided infiltrative cardiac mass involving the atrioventricular groove. The tumor’s atrioventricular-groove involvement led to atrioventricular-groove rupture and right coronary artery compromise, requiring multimodality imaging and emergency salvage surgery. Clinically, it emphasizes early multidisciplinary planning and rapid surgical decision-making because complete resection may be impossible in this aggressive malignancy.

Akbari F, Parvizi R, Mobadersani M et al. · Clinical case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

Fulminant Biventricular Desmoplakin Cardiomyopathy With a Myocarditis-Like Presentation.

This JACC Case Reports article described a 23-year-old man with fulminant biventricular desmoplakin (DSP) cardiomyopathy presenting with a myocarditis-like phenotype. Whole-exome sequencing identified a likely pathogenic DSP variant, and cardiac MRI showed extensive circumferential subepicardial ring-like fibrosis after infectious, autoimmune, inflammatory, infiltrative, and toxic causes were excluded. The case underscores that DSP cardiomyopathy can mimic myocarditis and that genetic testing can be crucial for timely diagnosis and risk stratification.

Byreddi B, Kumar P, Imayavaramban B et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

Physiological rather than pathological cardiac remodeling in olympic-style elite weightlifters: an imaging and biomarker study.

This cross-sectional study investigated whether long-term Olympic-style elite weightlifting produces pathological versus physiological cardiac remodeling by combining echocardiography (longitudinal strain) with cardiac MRI (native T1, extracellular volume [ECV], and late gadolinium enhancement [LGE]) and serum biomarkers (including galectin-3, soluble ST2, TNF-α, endothelin-1, TGF-β, and troponin). The key finding was that the cardiac imaging and biomarker profile in elite weightlifters was more consistent with physiological remodeling rather than maladaptive fibrosis. Scientifically, it helps distinguish adaptive athlete remodeling from early cardiomyopathy risk in high-afterload resistance training.

Yargic MP, Akin S, Duzgun SA et al. · European journal of applied physiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: state of the art on diagnosis and current therapeutic approach.

This 2026 state-of-the-art review summarized current diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), emphasizing the role of advanced cardiovascular imaging and genetic testing. It found that improved imaging phenotyping and genetic risk assessment better stratify prognosis and guide management across the heterogeneous clinical spectrum of HCM. The clinical significance is more accurate diagnosis, risk stratification, and selection of targeted therapies to reduce morbidity and sudden cardiac death risk.

La Franca E, Parisi F, Lucchino A et al. · Cardiovascular ultrasound · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

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Machine Learning/AI for Medical Imaging & Risk Prediction

FDG-PET/CT-based treatment response predicts recurrence and overall survival in locally advanced cervical cancer.

This retrospective study assessed whether FDG-PET/CT treatment response metrics—including SUVmax and volume-based parameters (metabolic tumor volume [MTV] and total lesion glycolysis [TLG])—predict recurrence and overall survival in 133 patients with locally advanced cervical cancer. Volume-based PET parameters derived from FDG-PET/CT response were evaluated for superior prognostic performance compared with SUVmax, and the study linked specific PET response outcomes to subsequent clinical endpoints. The findings support using PET/CT response quantification to risk-stratify patients and potentially tailor follow-up or therapy intensity in locally advanced cervical cancer.

Markus M, Sartor H, Bjurberg M et al. · BMC medical imaging · (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 2026 study developed MED-SAM, a 2D semi-supervised liver tumor segmentation framework that adapts the Segment Anything Model using contrastive-manifold-regularised self-supervised learning and YOLO-guided click prompts. The key finding was that MED-SAM improves liver tumor segmentation performance while addressing limitations of 3D models in computational cost and annotated-data requirements. Clinically, this could enable more scalable and more accurate real-time liver tumor delineation for treatment planning and response assessment.

Zhu C, Zhu H, Wang Q et al. · Artificial intelligence in medicine · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

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Myocarditis/Inflammatory Cardiomyopathy & Multimodality Prognosis (CMR+FDG PET)

CMR and FDG PET/CT Imaging Phenotypes and their Association with Outcomes in Patients with Known or Suspected Myocarditis.

This registry-based study examined whether adding FDG PET/CT improves prognostic prediction beyond cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) in patients with known or suspected myocarditis. Using a cohort of 1,646 patients who underwent FDG PET/CT for inflammatory cardiomyopathy, the authors evaluated imaging phenotypes from CMR and FDG PET/CT and their association with outcomes. The work clarifies the incremental prognostic value of metabolic imaging relative to CMR in myocarditis, informing multimodality risk assessment.

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 ↗

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Cardiac MRI/CT Imaging Biomarkers & Quantitative Metrics (Strain, Tissue Mapping, LGE, Coupling)

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 measurement derived from cardiovascular MRI (CMR) and cardiac CT (CCT). It explains how myocardial deformation (strain) provides locally defined, physiology-sensitive markers of cardiac function beyond global metrics and summarizes current technical approaches for CMR and CCT strain. Scientifically, it supports strain imaging as a more mechanistic biomarker for diagnosis, prognosis, and monitoring across cardiovascular diseases.

Hussein TM, Pourmorteza A, Oshinski JN · The British journal of radiology · (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 evaluated right ventricle–pulmonary artery coupling (RVPAc) in transfusion-dependent thalassemia (TDT) using data from the large E-MIOT project and compared findings with healthy controls. The key finding was that RVPAc was associated with demographic/clinical variables, cardiac MRI measures, and heart failure status in TDT. This is significant because RVPAc may serve as an imaging-based marker of right-sided functional deterioration relevant to managing pulmonary vascular and heart failure risk in TDT.

Meloni A, Saba L, Pistoia L et al. · European radiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

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Cardiac Arrhythmias & Electrophysiology (Conduction, accessory pathways, ventricular arrhythmia risk)

Myocardial late gadolinium enhancement is strongly associated with ventricular arrhythmias in mitral valve prolapse.

This study evaluated whether cardiac MRI findings—specifically myocardial late gadolinium enhancement (M-LGE) quantified as % of left ventricular mass—are associated with ventricular arrhythmias in 45 consecutive mitral valve prolapse (MVP) patients assessed with 24-hour Holter monitoring and exercise stress testing. Patients with higher M-LGE tertiles (≥5% of LV mass) had a strong association with ventricular arrhythmias, including premature ventricular beats (PVC) and ventricular tachycardia (VT). These findings suggest that CMR-detected myocardial scar burden in MVP may help risk-stratify patients for clinically important ventricular arrhythmias.

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 described accessory pathways in arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC), focusing on the rare coexistence of concealed pathways without ventricular pre-excitation. In two young ARVC patients, one had supraventricular tachycardia mediated by a left lateral retrograde-only accessory pathway, and the other presented with a concealed accessory pathway phenotype (details truncated in the abstract). Clinically, these cases emphasize that ARVC patients with arrhythmias may occasionally harbor accessory pathways, which can affect electrophysiology evaluation and ablation planning.

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 review studied dyssynchrony-induced cardiomyopathy in children, focusing on pediatric populations where abnormal ventricular activation may drive ventricular dysfunction (including those with chronic right ventricular pacing, ventricular pre-excitation, and selected patients with high premature ventricular contraction burden). It found that dyssynchrony is most consistent with a causal mechanism when it is sustained, accompanied by concordant mechanical dyssynchrony and adverse remodeling, and improves after correction of the electrical substrate. Clinically, this supports identifying and correcting specific electrical drivers (e.g., pacing/pre-excitation/PVC burden) to prevent or reverse pediatric cardiomyopathy rather than treating dyssynchrony as purely secondary.

Das BB, Singh HR · Pediatric cardiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

Sex Differences in Cardiac Rhythm and Conduction Abnormalities After Noncardioembolic Ischemic Stroke.

This observational study analyzed sex differences in newly diagnosed cardiac rhythm and conduction abnormalities within 1 year after noncardioembolic acute ischemic stroke (AIS) in patients without prior cardiac disease. The key finding was that the incidence and/or pattern of post-stroke cardiac abnormalities differed between women and men despite similar baseline absence of known cardiac pathology. This is clinically important because it supports sex-specific surveillance strategies for arrhythmias and conduction disorders after AIS.

Schmick A, Rohner MH, Gebhard C et al. · Journal of the American Heart Association · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

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Amyloidosis (ATTR-CM) & AI/Screening

Artificial Intelligence for the Diagnosis of Transthyretin Amyloid Cardiomyopathy: A Systematic Review of Machine Learning Application.

This systematic review assessed machine learning and artificial intelligence approaches for detecting, screening, or classifying transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM), including models that use imaging phenotypes and broader cardiac-amyloidosis pipelines with ATTR-specific performance. Across included studies, AI/ML methods were evaluated for their ability to improve earlier recognition and triage of ATTR-CM, addressing under-recognition that is critical for timely use of disease-modifying therapy. The review highlights the potential of AI applied to routine cardiovascular data to support ATTR-CM diagnosis, while emphasizing the need to consider study quality and bias for clinical translation.

Jamileh E, Elmewafy AT, Qadeer MA et al. · Cardiology research and practice · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

Subclinical cardiomyopathy in premanifest carriers of late-onset hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis with polyneuropathy.

This study investigated subclinical cardiac amyloidosis phenotypes in premanifest carriers of the transthyretin p.A117S variant (late-onset hereditary ATTR with polyneuropathy, ATTRv-PN) using the Mayo ATTR-CM score and multimodality cardiac testing. It characterized early cardiomyopathy risk and cardiac involvement using echocardiography, 99mTc-pyrophosphate (PYP) SPECT imaging, and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) in comparison with healthy controls and ATTRv-PN patients with stage 1 polyneuropathy disability (PND). The results aim to define how cardiac amyloid disease manifests before overt clinical cardiomyopathy, which could enable earlier detection and monitoring in genetically at-risk individuals.

Wang TW, Su MY, Cheng MF et al. · Journal of the Formosan Medical Association = Taiwan yi zhi · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

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Heart Failure Phenotyping & HFpEF Mechanistic Tissue Characterization

Myocardial Tissue Characterization by CMR Captures Mechanistic Severity Beyond Filling Pressure in HFpEF: The Multicenter DECIPHER HFpEF Study.

This prospective multicenter DECIPHER HFpEF study tested whether cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) tissue mapping—native T1 and T2 corrected for field strength and scanner (T1c, T2c)—captures mechanistic severity markers of HFpEF beyond filling pressure in patients with suspected HFpEF. The key finding was that CMR tissue mapping reflects diastolic relaxation (τ) and stiffness (β) as mechanistic components, rather than being limited to associations with end-diastolic pressure (EDP). This supports using CMR tissue characterization to better phenotype HFpEF and potentially guide more targeted therapies.

Nagel E, Wenzel P, Seidler T et al. · JACC. Cardiovascular imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

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Cardiac Imaging Workflows & Operational Efficiency

Improving Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Scanning Efficiency: Impact on Diagnostic Image Quality and Patient Management.

This JACC Case Reports study evaluated a workflow optimization strategy to improve cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) scanning efficiency by implementing a library of optimized, pathology-driven scan protocols and real-time hybrid supervision by an advanced imaging cardiologist. After implementation, retrospective chart review of 499 patients showed a 38.6% reduction in CMR scan times and improved operational throughput while assessing impacts on diagnostic image quality and patient management. The results suggest that protocol standardization plus remote/in-person expert oversight can reduce bottlenecks without compromising clinical decision-making.

Odigie-Okon E, Ogunleye O, Saxena R et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

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Ischemia/Chest Pain Phenotyping & Nonobstructive CAD (ANOCA/Stable Angina)

Endotype-informed therapy and effects on illness perception and psychological health in patients with chest pain and no obstructive coronary artery disease.

This randomized, multicentre superiority trial studied endotype-informed therapy in patients with chest pain and no obstructive coronary artery disease (ANOCA) using non-invasive stress perfusion cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) to define ischemic endotypes and guide targeted treatment. The key finding was that endotype-guided therapy improved illness perception and psychological health compared with standard angiography-guided care (CorCMR trial). This is significant because it links CMR-based ischemic phenotyping to patient-centered outcomes in a population with persistent symptoms and diagnostic uncertainty.

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 evaluated the long-term prognostic value and operational “warranty period” of normal stress cardiac MRI (CMR) versus single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) in stable angina, building on the CE-MARC trial framework. The key finding was that normal functional imaging confers a durable low-risk period, with comparative warranty periods informing when repeat testing is clinically reasonable. This is significant for reducing unnecessary repeat imaging while maintaining safety in patients with stable chest pain.

Bisaccia G, Swoboda PP, Younger JF et al. · JACC. Cardiovascular imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

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Atrial Fibrillation & Ablation Outcomes (PVI/RA Remodeling)

Right Atrial Cardiomyopathy Assessed by Late Gadolinium Enhancement Cardiac MRI Following Pulmonary Vein Isolation in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation.

This prospective imaging study assessed right atrial (RA) tissue remodeling after pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) in atrial fibrillation using 3D late gadolinium enhancement cardiac MRI (LGE-CMR) with image-intensity-ratio thresholds. The key finding was that RA LGE-based tissue changes at baseline and 3 months post-PVI were measurable and related to subsequent one-year AF recurrence. This is significant because it provides a tissue-level biomarker of reverse RA remodeling that may help predict outcomes after PVI.

van Pouderoijen N, Hopman LHGA, Post M et al. · Heart rhythm · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

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Acute Coronary Syndrome & Microvascular Injury (STEMI/MVO/LV Remodeling)

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 studied which cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) functional parameters best predict early adverse left ventricular (LV) remodeling after anterior ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The key finding was that traditional LV indices (including LV global longitudinal strain) outperformed novel CMR-derived left atrial parameters and the left atrioventricular coupling index (LACI) for predicting adverse LV remodeling. This is significant because it guides clinicians toward the most prognostically informative CMR metrics 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 EUROICE study evaluated whether pre-perfusion coronary wedge pressure (CWP) during balloon occlusion predicts microvascular obstruction (MVO) assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance in patients with anterior ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI). Pre-perfusion CWP was identified as a marker of microvascular compromise occurring during coronary occlusion, complementing post-reperfusion indices such as the index of microvascular resistance (IMR). These findings support earlier invasive assessment of microvascular injury risk in anterior STEMI to better anticipate adverse left ventricular remodeling and outcomes.

Butt H, van Beek K, Sajjad U et al. · International journal of cardiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

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Valvular Heart Disease & Right-Sided Remodeling (TR/RV)

Effect of empagliflozin with or without carvedilol on tricuspid regurgitation and right ventricular remodeling: PROVE trial.

In the PROVE trial, 56 patients with significant functional tricuspid regurgitation were randomized in a 2×2 factorial design to sustained-release carvedilol (carvedilol SR), empagliflozin, their combination, or placebo to test effects on right ventricular (RV) remodeling and TR severity over 12 months. The study found that empagliflozin and/or carvedilol SR strategies reduced RV end-systolic volume index and improved TR-related remodeling compared with placebo (with the factorial design assessing additive or independent effects). This is significant because it targets the RV remodeling–TR vicious cycle using cardiometabolic and beta-blocker therapies in a high-risk valvular population.

Kim GY, Lim SM, Yang DH et al. · Journal of cardiovascular imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

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Adult Congenital Heart Disease (Repaired TOF/RV Remodeling)

Repaired tetralogy of Fallot across adulthood: from right ventricular remodelling to targeted intervention.

This review summarized the longitudinal pathophysiology and management of repaired tetralogy of Fallot (rTOF) across adulthood, focusing on right ventricular (RV) remodeling driven by chronic pulmonary regurgitation and/or residual right ventricular outflow tract obstruction. It highlights that progressive RV dilatation, dysfunction, dyssynchrony, and myocardial fibrosis increase risks of heart failure and ventricular arrhythmias, and it outlines contemporary surveillance using multimodality imaging plus targeted interventions such as pulmonary valve replacement (PVR). The clinical significance is improved risk stratification and timing of intervention in an expanding adult congenital heart disease population to prevent late complications.

Cienkowski K, Moll M, Cienkowska A et al. · Heart failure reviews · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

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Generated automatically on September 20, 2026. Covers PubMed articles published September 13, 2026 – September 20, 2026. Summaries are AI-generated; always consult the original publication for clinical or research decisions.