What’s New in Cardiac MRI?

September 21, 2026 · 40 articles · 15 research themes · covering September 14, 2026 – September 21, 2026

Overview

Across this week’s set of studies, cardiac imaging—especially CMR—continues to expand from “diagnosis” into mechanistic phenotyping and risk prediction. Multiple papers emphasize tissue characterization (e.g., LGE patterns, amyloid-focused AI/ML, and combined CMR+FDG PET/CT for myocarditis prognosis) and functional mapping (CMR tissue mapping for HFpEF relaxation/stiffness, hemodynamic forces predicting post-STEMI remodeling, and RV–PA coupling in transfusion-dependent thalassemia). Together, these works reflect a shift toward multi-parameter imaging endotypes that can better stratify patients and guide management rather than relying on single conventional metrics.

A second dominant theme is the integration of genetics, biomarkers, and immune/infectious biology to explain heterogeneous cardiomyopathy and inflammatory pathways. Case-based and review evidence highlights genetic cardiomyopathies (e.g., desmoplakin cardiomyopathy mimicking myocarditis; early ATTRv cardiomyopathy in premanifest carriers; HCM risk stratification) while population and mechanistic studies connect systemic inflammation (GlycA) and latent infection (latent CMV) to adverse remodeling after MI. In parallel, coagulation genetics related to FXI inhibition is investigated for potential downstream effects on HF and atrial fibrillation risk, underscoring the growing interest in thromboinflammatory mechanisms.

Finally, several studies focus on clinical implementation and translation: optimizing CMR workflows to reduce scan time without losing diagnostic quality, using semi-supervised/AI segmentation to improve imaging scalability, and testing endotype-guided stress perfusion CMR strategies to reduce uncertainty-related psychological burden in ANOCA. Complementing these, trials and preclinical work explore therapeutic targeting of remodeling (TR–RV vicious cycle with empagliflozin/carvedilol; anthracycline cardiotoxicity under pressure overload; incretin receptor agonism with sex/metabolic differences), while electrophysiology-focused reports refine arrhythmia risk and ablation-related tissue remodeling (e.g., MVP LGE burden, RA LGE after PVI, and accessory pathway considerations in ARVC).

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Cardiac MRI hemodynamics, forces & coupling

Absolute myocardial mass difference and ventriculo-arterial coupling in morphologically defined left ventricular non-compaction: A multiparametric cardiovascular magnetic resonance study.

This retrospective CMR study evaluated whether absolute myocardial mass difference (AD) relates to structural-functional remodeling in 99 patients with morphologically defined left ventricular non-compaction (LVNC) meeting Petersen and Grothoff CMR criteria, compared with 66 frequency-matched controls. AD was assessed as a marker of dynamic myocardial adaptation and was analyzed for associations with hemodynamic and flow-related CMR parameters, alongside ventriculo-arterial coupling. If AD reflects remodeling beyond static LVNC morphology thresholds, it could improve risk stratification and mechanistic understanding of LVNC using multiparametric CMR.

Bulut SSD, Emir SN · Acta radiologica (Stockholm, Sweden : 1987) · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

Hemodynamic forces provide incremental predictive value for left ventricular remodeling after STEMI.

This multicenter CMR study followed 147 ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients undergoing CMR within 7 days and again at 5 months after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) to test whether CMR-derived hemodynamic forces (HDF) predict adverse left ventricular remodeling (ALVR). ALVR was defined as a ≥15% increase in left ventricular end-systolic volume, and the study compared HDF parameters against conventional clinical and CMR risk markers using multivariable logistic regression models. If HDF adds incremental predictive value, it could refine post-STEMI remodeling prediction beyond standard CMR/clinical metrics.

Hu M, Yue X, Chen Y et al. · Magnetic resonance 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 compared prognostic performance of traditional left ventricular (LV) indices versus novel cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR)-derived left atrial (LA) parameters, including LV global longitudinal strain (GLS), LA strain, and the left atrioventricular coupling index (LACI), in 200 anterior ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients. Traditional LV indices outperformed the novel CMR-derived LA parameters for predicting early adverse LV remodeling after STEMI. Scientifically and clinically, the study helps prioritize which CMR metrics are most informative for early risk stratification and potential intervention planning after anterior STEMI.

Yosofi B, Zelis JM, Raafs A et al. · International journal of cardiology · (2026) · 1 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

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Congenital heart disease surveillance & long-term outcomes

Echocardiographic Trajectories of Right Ventricular Size and Function in Children Following Tetralogy of Fallot Repair: A Decade of Stability.

This single-center retrospective cohort study analyzed echocardiographic trajectories of right ventricular (RV) size and function in children across the first 10 years after tetralogy of Fallot repair (TOFr). The key finding was that RV remodeling—changes in RV dimensions and function—was relatively stable over the decade following TOFr. This supports the use of long-term, consistent echocardiographic monitoring strategies in pediatric TOFr survivors with pulmonary regurgitation–related RV volume overload.

Galan JA, Jones AL, Numata R et al. · Journal of the American Society of Echocardiography : official publication of the American Society of Echocardiography · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

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 assessed cardiac involvement in 114 pediatric patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) using ECG, echocardiography, and blood pressure measurements, with Holter ECG and cardiac MRI performed when indicated. The key finding was the prevalence and spectrum of cardiac abnormalities at baseline and during follow-up, and their associations with demographic/clinical parameters in this real-world NF1 population. Clinically, it supports structured cardiac surveillance in children with NF1 to detect early cardiac abnormalities.

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

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

This narrative review synthesized current evidence on surveillance and management of repaired tetralogy of Fallot (rTOF) across adulthood, focusing on the transition from right ventricular (RV) remodeling to targeted interventions. The key message was that chronic pulmonary regurgitation and/or residual RV outflow tract obstruction drive progressive RV dilatation, dysfunction, dyssynchrony, and fibrosis, leading to heart failure and ventricular arrhythmias, and that management increasingly relies on multimodality imaging and pulmonary valve replacement (PVR) plus arrhythmia risk stratification. The clinical significance is improved, up-to-date guidance for long-term care of the growing adult rTOF population, including when to escalate to targeted interventions.

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

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Preclinical & translational cardiovascular mechanisms (incl. drugs/toxicity)

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

This preclinical study tested whether β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate (HMB) improves muscle performance and mitochondrial respiration in the D2.mdx dystrophic mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). After 8 weeks of HMB supplementation, the authors reported improvements in fast-twitch muscle function, histopathology, and mitochondrial respiration compared with dystrophic controls. These findings strengthen the scientific rationale for HMB as a potential therapeutic strategy targeting mitochondrial dysfunction in dystrophin-deficient muscle.

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

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

This case report and literature review described a patient with presumed primary cardiac angiosarcoma complicated by atrioventricular groove rupture and right coronary artery compromise. The key finding was that multimodality imaging was necessary to define the extent and mechanism of rupture/artery compromise, enabling emergency salvage surgery when complete resection was unlikely. Scientifically and clinically, it emphasizes early multidisciplinary planning for aggressive cardiac angiosarcoma presenting with hemorrhagic pericardial effusion and infiltrative right-sided masses.

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

Clinical Pharmacokinetics and Disposition of Imrecoxib.

This narrative review studied the clinical pharmacokinetics and disposition of imrecoxib, a COX-2–preferential nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug approved in China for osteoarthritis. It summarized absorption and exposure (Tmax ~2–3 hours with increased exposure with food), high protein binding, and sequential metabolism from imrecoxib (M0) to 4’-hydroxymethylimrecoxib (M1), 4’-formylimrecoxib (M-CHO), and 4’-carboxyimrecoxib (M2), including considerations for special populations and drug–drug interactions. The significance is that these data support safer dosing and interaction management for imrecoxib in clinical practice.

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 in molecular cell biology examined how the HUWE1–HAPSTR1–USP7 axis amplifies ubiquitin chains on nuclear proteins. The authors showed that HUWE1 acts as a ubiquitin chain amplifier by capturing pre-ubiquitinated substrates and assembling long ubiquitin chains with K11–K48 branch points, with regulation by the partners HAPSTR1 and USP7, supported by structural and biochemical analyses. The scientific significance is that it clarifies a stress-adaptation degradation mechanism that could be targeted to modulate nuclear protein turnover in disease.

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 among 15 workers at five South Korean shipyard companies. Using activated charcoal tubes and passive samplers placed outside supplied-air respirator facepieces at eight measurement sites during active spraying, the study quantified environmental CMR substance exposure via an Exposure Index for mixed organic solvents (details truncated). These findings highlight real-world inhalation risk despite supplied-air respirators and support improved industrial hygiene controls for confined-space spray painting.

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

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

This preclinical study investigated how metabolic vulnerability from cardiac pressure overload modifies anthracycline cardiotoxicity using two-month-old male and female Yucatan pigs subjected to aortic banding (LV pressure overload) or sham surgery, then treated with low-risk cumulative doxorubicin (5 weekly 1 mg/kg IV injections) or vehicle. The study design tests whether pressure overload–induced metabolic changes increase susceptibility to doxorubicin injury (specific findings truncated in abstract). Mechanistically clarifying this interaction could identify therapeutic targets to prevent anthracycline cardiotoxicity in patients with hypertension or valvular disease–related pressure overload.

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 investigated whether long-term Olympic-style elite weightlifting causes maladaptive cardiac remodeling or primarily physiological adaptation in 13 elite male weightlifters (≥5 years experience) versus 13 age-matched healthy controls. Participants underwent echocardiography (longitudinal strain), cardiac MRI (native T1, extracellular volume [ECV], and late gadolinium enhancement [LGE]), and serum biomarker testing (including galectin-3, soluble ST2, TNF-α, endothelin-1, TGF-β, and cardiac troponin) with additional post-exercise sampling (abstract truncated). The findings support a physiological remodeling phenotype rather than pathological fibrosis in this elite resistance-training population, informing risk assessment for athletes.

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

Cardiovascular Effects of Chronic GIPR and GLP-1R Agonism in Lean and Diet-Induced Obese Mice: Sex Differences and Dose-Dependent Remodeling.

This preclinical mouse study tested sex differences and dose-dependent cardiovascular remodeling after chronic GIPR and GLP-1R agonism by continuously infusing a GIP receptor agonist or a GLP-1 receptor agonist for one month in lean and diet-induced obese male and female mice. The key finding was that cardiovascular effects and remodeling patterns differed by receptor (GIPR vs GLP-1R), dose, metabolic state (lean vs obese), and sex (exact remodeling endpoints were not shown in the excerpt). These results are significant for clarifying how dual incretin-pathway targeting may produce different cardiovascular remodeling outcomes, informing therapeutic development for 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 ↗

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Cardiomyopathy genetics & phenotyping

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

This JACC Case Reports report described two men with Chagas cardiomyopathy presenting with new-onset biventricular failure and refractory ventricular arrhythmias, with confirmed Trypanosoma cruzi infection in at least one case. The key clinical finding was severe nonischemic cardiomyopathy with advanced heart failure requiring inotropic support and management with guideline-directed therapy plus arrhythmia protection (e.g., wearable cardioverter-defibrillator). The report highlights the need to consider Chagas disease in patients with late-presenting cardiomyopathy and ventricular arrhythmias, particularly when coronary disease is absent.

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

Fulminant Biventricular Desmoplakin Cardiomyopathy With a Myocarditis-Like Presentation.

This case report studied a 23-year-old man with rapidly progressive biventricular cardiomyopathy and myocarditis-like presentation, ultimately attributed to desmoplakin (DSP) cardiomyopathy. Whole-exome sequencing identified a likely DSP pathogenic variant and cardiac MRI showed extensive circumferential subepicardial ring-like fibrosis with severe biventricular systolic dysfunction (LVEF 11%) and ventricular ectopy/nonsustained VT after infectious, autoimmune, inflammatory, infiltrative, and toxic causes were excluded. The report highlights that DSP cardiomyopathy can mimic myocarditis and that early genetic testing plus CMR fibrosis phenotyping can improve diagnosis and risk stratification.

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

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

This study investigated subclinical cardiomyopathy in premanifest carriers of the late-onset hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis with polyneuropathy (ATTRv-PN) using the transthyretin p.A117S variant. In premanifest carriers compared with healthy controls and ATTRv-PN stage 1 polyneuropathy disability patients, cardiomyopathy risk was estimated with the Mayo ATTR-CM score and assessed using echocardiography, 99mTc-pyrophosphate (PYP) SPECT, and cardiac MRI. The findings are significant because they characterize early cardiac involvement before overt neuropathy progression, informing screening and timing of preventive interventions.

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

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

This review summarized state-of-the-art diagnosis and current therapeutic approaches for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), emphasizing advances in cardiovascular imaging and genetic testing. The key finding was that improved imaging phenotyping and genetic risk assessment have increased diagnostic accuracy and refined prognostic stratification, reflecting HCM’s marked clinical heterogeneity. Clinically, the article supports modern, evidence-based pathways for risk stratification and management decisions in patients with HCM.

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

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Oncology imaging & treatment response (non-cardiac)

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 predict recurrence and overall survival in 133 patients with locally advanced cervical cancer. The key finding was that PET response outcomes using both standard (e.g., SUVmax) and volume-based parameters (metabolic tumor volume [MTV] and total lesion glycolysis [TLG]) were assessed for prognostic performance. If volume-based response measures outperform SUVmax, they could improve risk stratification and guide post-treatment management in locally advanced cervical cancer.

Markus M, Sartor H, Bjurberg M et al. · BMC medical imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

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Cardiac MRI tissue characterization & fibrosis/amyloid

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

Using a registry of 1,646 patients who underwent FDG PET/CT for known or suspected inflammatory cardiomyopathy, this study examined whether FDG PET/CT provides incremental prognostic value beyond cardiac MRI (CMR) in patients with myocarditis. The key finding was the association of combined CMR and FDG PET/CT imaging phenotypes with clinical outcomes in myocarditis patients. If PET/CT adds prognostic discrimination over CMR alone, it could refine prognostication and management of 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 ↗

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

This systematic review evaluated machine learning and artificial intelligence approaches for diagnosing transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM), including models using routine cardiovascular data and imaging phenotypes relevant to ATTR screening. Across included studies, the review synthesized performance and risk of bias for AI/ML methods intended for screening, triage, or classification of ATTR-CM. The clinical significance is that AI could improve earlier detection of ATTR-CM, which is increasingly important for timely initiation of disease-modifying therapy.

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

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Cardiac MRI/CT strain & functional mechanics

Myocardial Strain Evaluation from Cardiovascular MRI and CT: Physiological Principles and Clinical Perspectives.

This narrative review synthesized physiological principles and clinical perspectives on myocardial strain measurement derived from cardiac MRI (CMR) and cardiac CT (CCT). The key finding was that strain provides locally defined, physiology-sensitive deformation metrics that can complement or outperform global myocardial function markers. Clinically, it supports broader adoption and appropriate interpretation of strain-based imaging across CMR and CCT for improved assessment of myocardial mechanics.

Hussein TM, Pourmorteza A, Oshinski JN · The British journal of radiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

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Thromboinflammation & coagulation genetics (FXI/FXI inhibition)

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

This prospective UK Biobank study (n=408,642 European ancestry participants) examined associations between F11 gene–based genetic scores reflecting genetically proxied FXI inhibition and incident cardiovascular outcomes and cardiac function. Genetic scores weighted by activated partial thromboplastin time or circulating factor XI (FXI) levels were analyzed using adjusted Cox and linear regression models to test links with heart failure (HF) and atrial fibrillation (AF) and measures of cardiac function. The findings are clinically significant because they help clarify whether FXI inhibition strategies could influence HF/AF risk through FXI-related biology.

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

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Inflammation & immune-mediated cardiovascular disease

Gene-environment interactions shape cytokine-mediated inflammation and cardiovascular risk.

This population-based analysis in 488,079 UK Biobank participants studied how cytokine-mediated inflammation (quantified by glycoprotein acetyls, GlycA, via nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy) interacts with environmental and genetic factors to shape cardiovascular risk and cardiac phenotypes. Using metabolomics/proteomics, cardiac MRI, and longitudinal outcomes with machine-learning–based analyses, the study evaluated pathways linking systemic inflammation to cardiac remodeling. The results are important for identifying modifiable and genetically influenced inflammatory mechanisms that could refine cardiovascular risk prediction and prevention.

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 studied existing 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). It systematically evaluated biomarkers, imaging studies, and other procedures published from 2005 onward to identify approaches that better capture EGPA-specific respiratory and eosinophilic features. The significance is that it maps the evidence base needed to develop more accurate, disease-relevant monitoring strategies for EGPA.

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

Cytomegalovirus Latency Fuels Inflammation Following Myocardial Infarction.

This mechanistic study used C57BL/6J mice with latent murine cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection to determine how latency alters cardiac immune cell dynamics at baseline and during post-myocardial infarction (MI) repair. The key finding was that CMV latency fuels inflammation after MI, altering immune cell responses during the repair process (specific immune cell shifts and molecular signatures were not visible in the excerpt). Scientifically, it supports a causal role for latent CMV in post-MI inflammatory remodeling, potentially explaining epidemiologic links between CMV seropositivity and adverse cardiovascular outcomes.

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

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Arrhythmia risk, electrophysiology & ablation outcomes

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

This observational CMR/Holter study enrolled 45 patients with mitral valve prolapse (MVP) to test whether myocardial late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) burden is associated with ventricular arrhythmias. Myocardial LGE quantified as percent of LV mass (stratified into tertiles, including ≥5% of LV mass) was evaluated against premature ventricular beats and ventricular tachycardia detected by 24-hour Holter monitoring and exercise stress testing. The study is significant because it supports using CMR LGE to better identify MVP patients at higher risk for ventricular arrhythmias and guide surveillance or management.

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 studied accessory pathways in arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) in two young patients with ARVC and exceptionally rare concealed accessory pathways. The cases demonstrated supraventricular tachycardia mediated by a left lateral retrograde-only accessory pathway in a 27-year-old man, emphasizing that ARVC can coexist with concealed accessory pathways without ventricular pre-excitation (abstract truncated). Clinically, recognizing accessory pathways in ARVC patients can refine electrophysiologic evaluation and guide targeted ablation strategies to prevent recurrent arrhythmias.

Leiria TLL, de Lima GG, Baroni AC et al. · Indian pacing and electrophysiology journal · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

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 using 3D late gadolinium enhancement cardiac MRI (LGE-CMR) before and after pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). In 54 AF patients imaged at baseline and 3 months post-PVI (with 1-year AF recurrence follow-up) and 18 healthy volunteers as controls, RA-LGE was quantified using intensity-ratio thresholds to classify border-zone versus dense LGE (results truncated). Mapping reverse RA remodeling at the tissue level after PVI could improve understanding of AF recurrence mechanisms and help refine patient selection and post-ablation monitoring.

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

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

This registry-based study screened 673 patients (39% women) with first noncardioembolic acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and no prior cardiac disease to assess sex-specific differences in newly diagnosed cardiac rhythm and conduction abnormalities within 1 year after AIS. The key finding was that post-AIS cardiac rhythm/conduction abnormalities differed by sex in incidence and/or pattern during follow-up (specific abnormalities and effect estimates were not included in the provided abstract excerpt). Clinically, the results suggest sex-tailored cardiac monitoring strategies after noncardioembolic AIS to improve detection of clinically relevant arrhythmias and conduction disease.

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

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Heart failure phenotyping & remodeling (HFpEF/HFrEF/RV failure)

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

This prospective multicenter DECIPHER HFpEF study evaluated whether cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) tissue mapping captures mechanistic severity in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) beyond filling pressure. Using native T1 corrected for field strength/scanner (T1c) and native T2 corrected for field strength/scanner (T2c) as tissue-mapping markers, the study tested whether these measures reflect active relaxation (τ) and passive stiffness (β) rather than being conflated with end-diastolic pressure (EDP). The clinical significance is that CMR tissue characterization could enable more mechanism-based HFpEF phenotyping and potentially more targeted therapy selection.

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

Dyssynchrony-Induced Cardiomyopathy in Children: Mechanisms, Diagnosis, and Contemporary Management.

This narrative review studied the concept of dyssynchrony-induced cardiomyopathy in children, focusing on mechanisms, diagnosis, and contemporary management across pediatric populations with electrical activation abnormalities. It concluded that dyssynchrony is often secondary to myocardial disease, but dyssynchrony-induced cardiomyopathy is defined by ventricular dysfunction after sustained electrical dyssynchrony with concordant mechanical dyssynchrony and adverse remodeling that improves after correction of the electrical substrate, with strongest pediatric causality evidence for chronic right ventricular pacing and ventricular pre-excitation (premature ventricular contraction burden also discussed; abstract truncated). The review supports a causality-based diagnostic framework to identify children who may benefit from electrical substrate correction rather than treating dyssynchrony as purely epiphenomenal.

Das BB, Singh HR · Pediatric cardiology · (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 arterial coupling (RVPAc) in 1154 transfusion-dependent thalassemia (TDT) patients enrolled in the E-MIOT project and in 167 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. RVPAc was analyzed in relation to demographic/clinical variables, cardiac MRI findings, and heart failure status, with the study reporting associations between RVPAc and measures of cardiopulmonary dysfunction in TDT (exact effect sizes were not visible in the provided abstract excerpt). These findings support RVPAc as a potentially useful CMR-derived marker for identifying TDT patients at higher risk of heart failure and adverse cardiopulmonary remodeling.

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

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Cardiac MRI workflow optimization & imaging efficiency

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

This retrospective chart review studied whether a dual-intervention workflow—an optimized, pathology-driven CMR protocol library plus real-time hybrid supervision by an advanced imaging cardiologist—improves cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) scan efficiency in patients undergoing CMR (499 charts; 160 preintervention, 339 postintervention). The intervention reduced median CMR scan times by 38.6% (median 84.7 minutes preintervention, truncated in abstract) while maintaining diagnostic image quality and improving downstream patient management decisions. Streamlining CMR acquisition with protocol standardization and hybrid expert oversight could expand access and reduce bottlenecks in clinical cardiovascular imaging.

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 (SSL) and YOLO-guided click prompts. The key finding was that MED-SAM improves liver tumor segmentation performance while addressing limitations of 3D models by reducing computational burden and leveraging limited annotations (exact Dice/IoU values were not visible in the excerpt). The work is significant for enabling more scalable, promptable, and data-efficient segmentation pipelines that could support real-time or near-real-time clinical imaging workflows.

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

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Ischemic heart disease & microvascular injury (STEMI/ANOCA/angina)

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

This prospective, multicenter randomized controlled superiority trial (CorCMR) studied 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 therapy based on stress perfusion CMR improved patient-reported illness perception and psychological outcomes (results truncated in abstract). The trial supports using stress perfusion CMR endotyping not only for ischemia characterization but also for reducing diagnostic uncertainty–related psychological burden.

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 analyzed long-term prognostic value and operational “warranty periods” for normal results of functional imaging in stable angina by comparing stress cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) with single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). Using the CE-MARC trial cohort (752 patients with suspected angina; invasive coronary angiography as reference standard), the authors aimed to determine how long a normal stress CMR or SPECT test remains reassuring for future outcomes (full results truncated in abstract). Establishing warranty periods can optimize repeat testing intervals and reduce unnecessary downstream investigations in stable chest pain care.

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

Pre-perfusion coronary wedge pressure and microvascular obstruction in anterior ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI): An analysis from the EUROICE study.

This EURO-ICE study analyzed whether pre-perfusion coronary wedge pressure (CWP), measured during balloon occlusion, is associated with microvascular obstruction (MVO) on cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) and subsequent outcomes in anterior STEMI patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI). The key finding was that CWP during coronary occlusion provides clinically relevant information about microvascular injury, complementing or improving upon post-reperfusion invasive indices like index of microvascular resistance (IMR) (exact statistical results were not present in the excerpt). This supports CWP as a practical invasive marker to better capture microvascular compromise early and refine prognosis after STEMI.

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

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Cardiac sarcoidosis & infectious triggers

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

This retrospective cohort study evaluated whether coxsackievirus B (CVB) antibodies are prevalent in patients with cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) as a potential accessible biomarker of infectious triggers. Among CS patients with available CVB antibody testing from 2011–2025 at the University of Kansas Health System, CVB seropositivity was compared with external comparator cohorts (MAVERIC registry and others; abstract truncated), and the study reported a high prevalence of CVB antibodies in CS. If validated, CVB antibody status could support earlier identification of cardiac involvement in sarcoidosis and inform hypotheses about infectious contributions to CS pathogenesis.

Donnelly KL, Wilmoth J, Osborne W et al. · Open heart · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

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Valvular heart disease & right-heart remodeling (TR/PVR)

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 at 12 months, and the study evaluated whether empagliflozin with or without carvedilol reduces RV volumes and TR severity (specific results were not included in the provided excerpt). If effective, this would support a pharmacologic strategy targeting the TR–RV remodeling vicious cycle to improve outcomes in patients with functional TR.

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

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Generated automatically on September 21, 2026. Covers PubMed articles published September 14, 2026 – September 21, 2026. Summaries are AI-generated; always consult the original publication for clinical or research decisions.