What's New in Cardiac MRI? — September 29, 2026
AI-summarised digest of 63 PubMed articles on Cardiac MRI published in the last 7 days.
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What’s New in Cardiac MRI?
September 29, 2026 · 63 articles · 15 research themes · covering September 22, 2026 – September 29, 2026
Overview
Across this week’s set of studies, a dominant theme is the expansion of quantitative cardiac imaging—especially CMR and cardiac CT—into more scalable, mechanistic, and risk-stratifying workflows. Multiple papers focus on tissue characterization (native T1/ECV, LGE patterns, diffusion tensor imaging) and on improving acquisition robustness (motion-compensated mapping, faster sequences, real-time volumetry for arrhythmias). Complementing this, reviews compare quantitative perfusion across modalities (PET/CT vs CMR) and assess CT-derived myocardial extracellular volume as a practical alternative to CMR for diffuse fibrosis quantification.
A second major thread is cardiac amyloidosis as both a diagnostic challenge and a mechanistic target. Several studies and case reports highlight how amyloid can mimic other cardiomyopathies (e.g., HCM-like phenotypes, conduction disease, microvascular angina-like presentations) and how early or atypical disease can produce false-negative radionuclide imaging—thereby elevating the role of CMR pattern recognition, native T1 thresholds, and (when needed) tissue/proteomic typing. Mechanistic work also links amyloid burden to mitochondrial dysfunction and bioenergetic impairment, while other amyloidosis-focused research examines arrhythmia burden and subtype/phenotype relationships.
Finally, the digest reflects a broader move toward physiology-informed and implementation-ready care: 4D-flow CMR metrics to assess post-TAV flow restoration, echocardiographic markers for LV thrombus prediction after anterior MI, and guideline/implementation discussions (including underutilization of stress CMR). Together, these articles suggest that the field is converging on multimodality, quantitative, and mechanism-linked imaging to improve diagnosis, prognostication, and patient selection for interventions.
Cardiac CT quantitative biomarkers (ECV/perfusion)
From Guidelines to Ground Reality: The Underutilization of Stress Cardiac MRI in Ischemic Heart Disease - A Narrative State-of-the-Art Review.
This narrative state-of-the-art review studied the gap between guideline recommendations and real-world practice regarding stress cardiac MRI in ischemic heart disease. It highlights that despite stress CMR having strong evidence and a Class I recommendation in the 2021 ACC/AHA Chest Pain Guidelines for intermediate-risk stable or acute chest pain (with or without known CAD), it remains markedly underutilized, accounting for less than 1% of ischemia testing in many settings. The clinical significance is that it identifies a major implementation barrier and supports efforts to increase appropriate use of stress CMR for perfusion, function, and viability assessment.
Abdelhai OS, AlJaroudi W, Sharkawi MA et al. · Journal of cardiovascular magnetic resonance : official journal of the Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Intravascular imaging in myocardial infarction and ischemia with nonobstructive coronary arteries.
This review/clinical discussion examined how intravascular imaging modalities—optical coherence tomography (OCT) and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)—can characterize mechanisms of myocardial infarction with nonobstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) and angina/ischemia with nonobstructive coronary arteries (ANOCA/INOCA) beyond coronary angiography. It reports that OCT is useful for detecting superficial lesions such as thrombus and plaque disruption, whereas IVUS better characterizes plaque burden, positive remodeling, intramural hematoma, and myocardial bridging, with roles differing between acute and chronic presentations. The clinical significance is that targeted intracoronary imaging during the index angiogram can improve etiologic diagnosis and guide management in MINOCA/ANOCA/INOCA.
Nishi T, Kume T, Irimpen A et al. · Cardiovascular intervention and therapeutics · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Gadopiclenol for Cardiac MRI: Comparison of Myocardial T1 Relaxation Times and Subjective Image Quality at Different Doses in Patients With Anderson-Fabry Disease.
This observational feasibility study assessed gadopiclenol, a second-generation gadolinium-based contrast agent, in 32 patients with Anderson-Fabry disease (AFD) undergoing 3T cardiac MRI at two gadopiclenol dose levels, comparing myocardial T1 relaxation and subjective late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) image quality. Gadopiclenol produced LGE image quality and myocardial T1 shortening consistent with high relaxivity performance while enabling reduced gadolinium dosing compared with conventional expectations. Clinically, this supports gadopiclenol as a potentially dose-sparing contrast option for CMR in AFD, pending broader validation.
Kollmann AT, Huflage H, Dazeh RS et al. · Investigative radiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Impact of type 2 diabetes on myocardial mechanics, fibrosis, and prognosis in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: A cardiac magnetic resonance study.
This retrospective cohort CMR study assessed how type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) affects myocardial mechanics, fibrosis, and prognosis in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) among 582 patients stratified into T2DM (n=127) and non-T2DM (n=455). The key finding was that coexisting T2DM was associated with worse structural/functional CMR characteristics and influenced prognosis, with mediation analysis evaluating how CMR parameters mediated the HbA1c–outcome relationship (details truncated). Clinically, it supports integrating CMR biomarkers when risk-stratifying HCM patients with T2DM.
Cao Y, Li Y, Ming Z et al. · International journal of cardiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Multimodality Assessment for Sudden Cardiac Death Risk Stratification in Non-Ischemic Cardiomyopathy: A Case-Based Framework Integrating Cardiac Magnetic Resonance, Electrophysiologic Observations, and Genetics.
This article proposed a case-based framework for sudden cardiac death (SCD) risk stratification in non-ischemic cardiomyopathy (NICM) integrating cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), electrophysiologic observations, and genetics. The key finding was that CMR—especially late gadolinium enhancement (LGE)—improves identification of myocardial fibrosis and refines arrhythmic risk beyond left ventricular ejection fraction alone, which incompletely captures arrhythmic substrate. Scientifically and clinically, it argues for multimodality, genetics-informed assessment to reduce both missed high-risk patients and unnecessary ICD implantation.
Litt MJ, Oraii A, Garcia FC et al. · Indian pacing and electrophysiology journal · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Navigating coronary microvascular dysfunction: an echocardiographic triage algorithm for cardiac magnetic resonance and coronary computed tomography angiography.
This paper studied an echocardiography-guided triage algorithm to noninvasively detect and risk-stratify suspected coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) and to select patients for confirmatory cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) and coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA). The key finding was that frontline transthoracic echocardiography using global longitudinal strain (GLS) and the Doppler-derived coronary sinus flow (CSF) index could identify patients with abnormal findings for downstream CMR tissue characterization and quantitative phase assessment. Clinically, it provides a practical pathway to reduce reliance on invasive CMD measurements while improving selection for definitive multimodality testing.
Güleşir ME · Journal of ultrasound · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
CT-derived myocardial extracellular volume: current evidence, clinical utility, and the emerging role of photon-counting CT-a systematic review.
This systematic review evaluated evidence for CT-derived myocardial extracellular volume (ECV) as a quantitative imaging biomarker of myocardial interstitial expansion/diffuse fibrosis, comparing it against cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) reference methods across clinical studies. The review found growing support for CT-derived ECV’s clinical utility and highlighted technical advances—particularly photon-counting CT—as an emerging approach to improve ECV assessment. These findings support broader integration of CT-based ECV into routine cardiac CT workflows, potentially expanding access to diffuse fibrosis quantification beyond CMR.
D’Argenzio J, Stucchi F, Tambè V et al. · European radiology experimental · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
4D-flow CMR hemodynamics and valve function
Multiscale four-dimensional imaging of cardiac remodelling after myocardial infarction.
This study (conceptual and methodological) focused on multiscale four-dimensional cardiac imaging to characterize post-myocardial-infarction remodeling as a coupled spatiotemporal process across 3D ventricular geometry and time. It proposes that integrating temporal dynamics with 3D structure—rather than analyzing mechanical dysfunction, hemodynamic redistribution, and molecular responses in isolation—enables a more integrated description of infarcted-heart remodeling. The scientific significance is that 4D imaging could improve understanding of how remodeling evolves across scales, potentially informing better prognostic models and therapeutic targeting after MI.
Lei H, Martinac B, Guo Y · The Journal of physiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Hemodynamic Flow Signatures: A Novel Paradigm for the Evaluation of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Performance.
This study proposed and evaluated a hemodynamic flow–signature framework for assessing transcatheter aortic valve (TAV) performance, leveraging 4-dimensional flow cardiac magnetic resonance (4D-flow CMR) metrics in patients undergoing TAV. It reported that physiological restoration of aortic flow can be assessed using quantitative flow displacement (eccentricity), systolic flow reversal ratio (conduit inefficiency), wall shear stress, and energetic efficiency, addressing limitations of echocardiography. Clinically, this approach may better identify persistent nonphysiological post-TAV flow despite reduced transvalvular gradients, improving mechanistic evaluation of valve function and patient risk stratification.
Maznyczka A, De Backer O, Bapat VN et al. · Circulation. Cardiovascular interventions · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Cardiac amyloidosis diagnosis, phenotyping, and imaging pitfalls
Cardiac amyloidosis and coronary artery disease: an overlooked clinical intersection.
This review examined the clinical intersection between cardiac amyloidosis and coronary artery disease, focusing on elderly patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction who often have concomitant epicardial atherosclerosis. It argues that although epicardial atherosclerosis is present in roughly 30–40% of amyloidosis patients, ischemia is more often driven by coronary microvascular dysfunction from amyloid infiltration rather than flow-limiting epicardial obstruction. The significance is that it reframes diagnostic and therapeutic thinking for ischemia in amyloidotic hearts, potentially improving management of patients with overlapping amyloid and CAD.
Kancerek J, Suchodolski A, Wojnicz R et al. · Coronary artery disease · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Myocarditis-Like Presentation Leads to DSP Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy Diagnosis: From Variant of Uncertain Significance to Diagnosis.
This case report studied a 38-year-old woman with myocarditis-like symptoms and nonischemic multifocal late gadolinium enhancement on cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) who underwent genetic testing for cardiomyopathy. A desmoplakin (DSP) variant of uncertain significance (VUS) was reclassified as likely pathogenic on follow-up, establishing DSP arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy as the diagnosis. The significance is that variant reclassification combined with CMR can convert an initially uncertain genetic finding into actionable diagnostic and management decisions.
DeLorenzo O, Farkouh F, Alameh I et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Native T1 for Diagnosis and Risk Prediction in Amyloid Transthyretin Cardiomyopathy: An Observational Study on 1,675 Subjects.
This observational study analyzed 1,675 individuals undergoing CMR for suspected or confirmed transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTR), including asymptomatic TTR-variant carriers, extracardiac ATTR, and stages of early ATTR cardiomyopathy, to define native T1 thresholds and prognostic strata across the ATTR spectrum. Native T1 mapping provided diagnostic and risk-prediction performance for ATTR that could be stratified using center-agnostic thresholds, and it was compared directly with extracellular volume (ECV). Scientifically and clinically, establishing native T1 cutoffs and risk strata supports contrast-free CMR as a scalable tool for ATTR diagnosis and prognosis.
Aimo A, Sheikh A, Kakhi S et al. · JACC. Cardiovascular imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Complete Atrioventricular Block in an HLA-B27-Positive Woman Without Overt Spondyloarthritis.
This JACC Case Reports article describes a 43-year-old HLA-B27-positive woman with recurrent anterior uveitis and Hashimoto thyroiditis who developed complete atrioventricular block (CAVB) without overt spondyloarthritis. Despite extensive evaluation with cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography, and comprehensive genetic testing, the presentation was framed as an exceptionally rare HLA-B27-associated conduction disease phenotype. Clinically, it highlights the need to consider inflammatory and autoimmune etiologies—including HLA-B27–related disease—even when classic spondyloarthritis features are absent.
Batista Lage JG, Tavares Pinheiro MV, Ferreira de Souza O et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Obstructive Intramural Coronary Amyloidosis: Uncommon or Under-Recognized Cause of Microvascular Angina?
This JACC Case Reports article describes an 83-year-old man with long-standing angina and recurrent ischemic symptoms with persistently elevated troponin despite normal coronary angiography and nondiagnostic CMR. Endomyocardial biopsy demonstrated extensive transthyretin (ATTR) amyloid deposition almost exclusively within intramural coronary arterioles, establishing obstructive intramural coronary amyloidosis (OICA) as the cause of microvascular angina-like presentation. The case emphasizes that OICA/ATTR cardiac amyloidosis can be an under-recognized mimic of ischemic heart disease and may require tissue diagnosis when noninvasive testing is inconclusive.
Fazzini L, D’Elia E, Sciatti E et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Epicardial Amyloidoma Mimicking Secondary Cardiac Lymphoma: A Sneeze Away From the Diagnosis.
This JACC Case Reports case describes a man with indolent B-cell lymphoma and monoclonal gammopathy who had an epicardial mass on echocardiography and CMR findings (marked enhancement and increased extracellular volume) that mimicked secondary cardiac lymphoma or other infiltrative disorders. Despite nondiagnostic PET and bone scintigraphy, surgical biopsy revealed localized amyloid deposition (amyloidoma) rather than malignant infiltration. The report is clinically significant because it warns that epicardial amyloidoma can closely resemble lymphoma on multimodality imaging and may necessitate biopsy for definitive diagnosis.
Vella A, Disabato G, Roncoroni L et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Apolipoprotein A-IV Cardiac Amyloidosis as a Diagnostic Pitfall: Beyond the Noninvasive Algorithm.
This JACC Case Reports report describes a 71-year-old man with heart failure and concentric LV hypertrophy with an “apical sparing” strain pattern in whom CMR suggested an infiltrative phenotype with late gadolinium enhancement and parametric mapping abnormalities. Because bone scintigraphy and monoclonal protein screening were negative and immunohistochemistry was uninformative, mass spectrometry-based proteomics was used to identify apolipoprotein A-IV cardiac amyloidosis. The case highlights a diagnostic pitfall in amyloidosis workups and shows that proteomics can be decisive when standard noninvasive algorithms and immunostaining fail.
Koppelaar AJ, Zwetsloot PP, von der Thüsen JH et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Multimodality Imaging Reveals Rare Hereditary Transthyretin Amyloidosis Mimicking Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.
This JACC Case Reports article describes a 52-year-old Moroccan woman initially diagnosed with nonobstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy who had recurrent pericardial chest pain and poor tolerance of standard HCM medications. Multimodality imaging showed ventricular hypertrophy patterns and CMR parametric mapping consistent with an infiltrative process (markedly elevated native T1 and extracellular volume), and bone scintigraphy demonstrated intense cardiac tracer uptake consistent with hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis. The case is significant because it demonstrates how hereditary ATTR amyloidosis can mimic HCM and underscores the value of CMR mapping plus nuclear imaging to avoid misdiagnosis.
Panelo M, Tuya-Acosta Y, Soto-Priore A et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Transthyretin Cardiac Amyloidosis in a Safety-Net Hospital: A Case Series of 10 Afro-Caribbean Patients.
This case series studied transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis (ATTR-CA) in 10 Afro-Caribbean patients diagnosed at a safety-net hospital, in the context of the Val122Ile (V142Ile) TTR variant prevalence. All patients had positive technetium-99m PYP scintigraphy, with presentations ranging from heart failure to syncope with high-grade atrioventricular block and pericardial tamponade. The findings highlight substantial underdiagnosis of ATTR-CA in Afro-Caribbean populations and support using 99mTc-PYP plus cardiac imaging to avoid missed, high-morbidity disease.
Rattan K, Allison EL, Palmer WA et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Donut Morphology of Cardiac Amyloidosis: A Glazed Over Diagnosis.
This case report studied a 74-year-old man with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, atrial fibrillation, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome who had a prior false-negative cardiac amyloid radionuclide imaging (CARI) result. Cardiac magnetic resonance demonstrated isolated circumferential basal wall thickening with localized subendocardial late gadolinium enhancement, consistent with nondiffuse early transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis despite negative radionuclide imaging elsewhere. The report emphasizes that early-stage ATTR cardiac amyloidosis can yield false-negative scintigraphy and that CMR pattern recognition should prompt further evaluation.
Aggarwal P, Alpert C, Davies D · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
When Hematologic Response Does Not Translate to Cardiac Recovery in AL Amyloidosis.
This case report studied a 66-year-old woman with AL (light-chain) amyloidosis in whom hematologic response did not lead to cardiac recovery. Despite daratumumab-based chemotherapy producing a marked reduction in free lambda light chains, cardiac status remained advanced, illustrating the disconnect between hematologic response and myocardial improvement in late disease. Clinically, it underscores the need for cardiac-focused monitoring and realistic prognostication even when laboratory markers improve.
Futela P, Vinod P, Pushparaji B et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Rare Hereditary Cardiac Amyloidosis Treated With SGLT2 Inhibitor: Beyond ATTR/AL.
This case report studied a 61-year-old man with progressive heart failure and a family history of amyloidosis, evaluating a rare hereditary cardiac amyloidosis that mimicked transthyretin/light-chain disease. Genetic testing identified an Apolipoprotein mutation (Apolipoprotein-related hereditary cardiac amyloidosis), and the patient was treated with an SGLT2 inhibitor as therapy beyond standard ATTR/AL approaches. The report suggests potential therapeutic exploration of SGLT2 inhibition in non-ATTR/non-AL hereditary cardiac amyloidosis phenotypes.
Voran JC, Radić Ž, Kilian LS et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Hereditary Transthyretin Cardiac Amyloidosis With Severe Left Ventricular Outflow Tract Obstruction Mimicking Hypertrophic Obstructive Cardiomyopathy.
This case report studied a 49-year-old man with exertional dyspnea and presyncope whose echocardiography showed septal hypertrophy with severe left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction, initially mimicking hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy. Cardiac magnetic resonance showed diffuse subendocardial late gadolinium enhancement and bone scintigraphy showed low-grade myocardial uptake, while genetic testing identified a pathogenic TTR variant. The case highlights that transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis can present with severe LVOT obstruction and should be considered when HCM-like features do not fully fit.
Nissan B, Magadale N, Kaplinskiy V et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Smartwatch-Detected Sinus Tachycardia Unmasking AL Cardiac Amyloidosis in a Young Adult.
This case report studied a 36-year-old woman in whom smartwatch-detected sinus tachycardia prompted evaluation for immunoglobulin light-chain (AL) cardiac amyloidosis. Cardiac magnetic resonance raised suspicion and Mayo Clinic stage III IgA lambda AL cardiac amyloidosis was confirmed by laboratory and histological testing. The report supports wearable health technology as a potential early trigger for diagnosing aggressive AL cardiac involvement in younger adults.
O’Dea G, O’Gorman P, Giblin GT · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Amyloid Light Chain Amyloidosis Involving the Heart and Temporal Arteries, Mimicking Giant Cell Arteritis.
This case report studied a 74-year-old man with jaw claudication and temporal artery tenderness initially treated as giant cell arteritis, later found to have AL amyloidosis involving both the heart and temporal arteries. Cardiac evaluation showed infiltrative cardiomyopathy features on echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance, with AL amyloidosis confirmed by temporal artery biopsy. The case demonstrates that temporal artery biopsy can reveal AL amyloid when systemic symptoms mimic vasculitis, enabling timely plasma-cell-directed therapy.
Rashed A, Fernandes E, Saito R et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Successful Heart Transplantation in a Patient With Triple Infiltrative Cardiomyopathy: Sarcoidosis, AL and TTR Amyloidosis.
This case report studied a patient with triple infiltrative cardiomyopathy—cardiac sarcoidosis plus both AL and TTR amyloidosis—evaluated for advanced heart failure. The coexistence of sarcoidosis and dual amyloid types was identified in myocardial tissue using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry, supported by advanced cardiac MRI and FDG-PET. The successful heart transplantation underscores that comprehensive multimodality tissue characterization can guide management in rare, mixed infiltrative cardiomyopathy.
Nikolaidis LA, Hassan OA, Khariton Y et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Apolipoprotein A-IV Cardiac Amyloidosis Presenting as Massive Ventricular Wall Thickening Mimicking Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.
This case report studied a 64-year-old woman with presumed hypertrophic cardiomyopathy whose imaging showed massive ventricular wall thickening, LV outflow tract obstruction, and mitral systolic anterior motion. Multimodality evaluation suggested infiltrative cardiomyopathy (diffuse late gadolinium enhancement, abnormal nulling and elevated T1 on cardiac MRI, and apical-sparing strain), but technetium-99m pyrophosphate scintigraphy showed no myocardial uptake, leading to identification of apolipoprotein A-IV (AApoAIV) cardiac amyloidosis. The report highlights that AApoAIV amyloidosis can mimic HCM yet be TTR/AL-sparing on PYP, so definitive diagnosis may require broader amyloid typing.
Coderre R, Tersalvi G, Adigun RO et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Unmasking AL Cardiac Amyloidosis During Familial Cardiomyopathy Screening.
This case report studied a 65-year-old asymptomatic man undergoing familial cardiomyopathy screening in whom AL cardiac amyloidosis was uncovered. Echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance showed severe biventricular hypertrophy with normal extracellular volume and late gadolinium enhancement in the interventricular septum and atria, while bone scintigraphy showed no tracer uptake (Perugini grade 0). The findings emphasize that AL amyloidosis can be missed in family screening when scintigraphy is negative, and that CMR patterns should prompt further hematologic evaluation.
Barberis Barcia G, Toranzo-Nieto I, González-Calle V et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Phenotypic Transition From Danon Disease to Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy: Multimodality and Histopathologic Evidence.
This case report studied a 30-year-old woman with a phenotypic transition from genetically confirmed Danon disease due to LAMP2 to arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy, using multimodality imaging and histopathologic evidence. The key finding was that she evolved from a hypertrophic phenotype to progressive diffuse low QRS voltages and recurrent ventricular arrhythmias, with CMR showing extensive ring-like late gadolinium enhancement and biventricular systolic dysfunction consistent with biventricular arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy. Clinically, it broadens the recognized cardiac trajectory of LAMP2-related disease and underscores the value of CMR and tissue correlation when arrhythmogenic remodeling emerges.
Quintella Sangiorgi Olivetti N, Belitardo GP, Cerqueira Matheus F et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
p.(V142I)-Associated Variant Transthyretin Amyloid Cardiomyopathy Complicating Complex Congenital Heart Disease: A Lethal Combination.
This case report studied a 51-year-old Nigerian man with complex congenital heart disease who developed transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy due to the p.(V142I) variant (ATTRv-CM). The key finding was that cardiac amyloidosis was suspected on echocardiography and confirmed by cardiac magnetic resonance and bone scintigraphy, with genetic sequencing identifying homozygosity for p.(V142I) transthyretin. Clinically, it illustrates a lethal combination of ATTRv-CM with complex congenital heart disease and supports early amyloid evaluation in high-risk patients of African ancestry.
Zathar Z, Choy CH, Al-Sakini N et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Towards Faster Fetal 3D CINE Cardiac MRI Reconstruction Using Region-Optimized Virtual Coils (ROVir).
This feasibility study developed and evaluated the region-optimized virtual coils (ROVir) technique for faster reconstruction of 3D bSSFP cine fetal cardiac MRI in 10 volunteer datasets. The key finding was that ROVir reduced radial streaking artifacts, increased effective temporal resolution, and improved diagnostic image quality compared with singular value decomposition (SVD) coil compression. Scientifically, it advances computationally efficient fetal MRI reconstruction that may improve image quality and speed for clinical CHD assessment.
Piek M, Töger J, Heiberg E et al. · Magnetic resonance in medicine · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Exploration of Arrhythmia Burden in Cardiac Amyloidosis Using Implantable Loop Recorders: The EXCALIBUR Study.
This prospective single-center observational study used implantable loop recorders to characterize arrhythmia burden in 110 treatment-naïve patients with newly diagnosed cardiac amyloidosis, specifically transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM) and light-chain cardiac amyloidosis (AL-CA). The key finding was that continuous rhythm monitoring enabled detailed quantification of arrhythmic events and allowed exploration of associations between arrhythmia burden and amyloid subtype/disease phenotype. Scientifically and clinically, EXCALIBUR provides a framework for defining true arrhythmia burden in cardiac amyloidosis and may inform risk assessment and management strategies tailored to amyloid subtype.
Ioannou A, Patel R, Mansell J et al. · Journal of the American College of Cardiology · (2026) · 2 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
CMR reference standards and quantitative normal values
Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Reference Values for Left Ventricular Diastolic Function and Left Atrial Sphericity Index in Healthy Adults.
This retrospective study in 503 healthy Chinese adults used cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) to derive age- and sex-specific reference values for left ventricular (LV) diastolic volumetric parameters and the left atrial sphericity index (LASI). The key finding was that CMR-derived LV diastolic volumetric metrics and LASI can be quantified with robust, age- and sex-stratified normal ranges in this large healthy cohort. These reference values support more accurate interpretation of CMR measures of LV diastolic function and left atrial shape in clinical evaluation of Chinese patients.
Gao Y, Li W, Liu W et al. · Journal of cardiovascular magnetic resonance : official journal of the Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Native myocardial T1 mapping using rapid 1.5T T1FLASH and T1 MOLLI during breath-hold and free-breathing.
In 14 healthy adult volunteers, this prospective CMR study compared native myocardial T1 mapping at 1.5T using rapid T1FLASH versus modified Look-Locker inversion recovery with motion correction (T1 MOLLI MOCO), both during breath-hold and free-breathing. The key finding was that rapid T1FLASH enables myocardial T1 mapping with shorter breath-hold requirements, addressing motion/artifact limitations that can degrade conventional breath-hold T1 mapping. This supports more patient-tolerable quantitative myocardial T1 mapping protocols for broader clinical use, especially in individuals with limited breath-holding capacity.
Röwer LM, Hussen-Demir Y, Verde PE et al. · BMC cardiovascular disorders · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Cardiac MRI/CT for congenital and structural heart disease case reports
Bilateral Renal Infarction as the Initial Manifestation of Left Atrial Myxoma During Early Pregnancy: A Case Report.
This case report described a 25-year-old woman at 6 weeks 5 days of gestation who presented with bilateral renal infarction as the initial manifestation of a left atrial myxoma. Transthoracic echocardiography identified a large, mobile, pedunculated left atrial mass, while non-contrast abdominal MRI demonstrated bilateral renal infarctions and cardiovascular MRI characterized an atypical attachment near the Coumadin ridge. The clinical significance is that it highlights a rare but important pregnancy-associated presentation of cardiac myxoma with systemic embolization.
Min SD, Savjonoks S · Cureus · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Clinical Realities of Multimodal Imaging in Papillary Fibroelastoma in 385 Pathology-Proven Cases.
In a retrospective cohort of 385 patients with pathology-proven papillary fibroelastomas (PFE) identified during cardiac surgery, the investigators compared lesion detection and imaging characteristics across transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), cardiac CT, and cardiac MRI. The key finding was the relative diagnostic utility of CT and CMR versus TEE for detecting PFEs and characterizing their imaging features in this large real-world dataset. This is clinically significant because it informs which imaging modality may be most effective for diagnosing and planning management of PFE.
Aboukhatwa O, Abbasi M, Botezatu S et al. · Mayo Clinic proceedings · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Congenital muscular ventricular septal aneurysm coexisting with a pericardial cyst, a case report.
This 32-year-old man case report described congenital muscular ventricular septal aneurysm (VSA) coexisting with a pericardial cyst, diagnosed using echocardiography and coronary computed tomography angiography. The key finding was that the patient had a midventricular septal aneurysm with regional hypokinesis, LV dilation, and reduced LVEF (46%) despite being asymptomatic. Clinically, the report highlights diagnostic challenges and informs consideration of congenital VSA in adults when imaging shows septal aneurysm patterns not explained by acquired causes.
Mou Q, Li JJ, Li X et al. · The Egyptian heart journal : (EHJ) : official bulletin of the Egyptian Society of Cardiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Complex bilateral coronary artery fistulas with multiple drainage sites: a multimodality imaging case report.
This multimodality imaging case report studied a 68-year-old patient with exertional dyspnea and dizziness in whom coronary angiography identified a large coronary artery fistula (CAF) with additional intermediate left anterior descending artery stenosis. Multislice computed tomography demonstrated complex bilateral CAFs with multiple drainage sites into the superior vena cava, right atrium, and descending aorta, and the case used integrated imaging to define anatomy and ischemic relevance. The significance is that detailed anatomic characterization with multimodality imaging is crucial for risk assessment and management planning in complex CAFs.
Ružičić D, Čanković M, Komazec N et al. · European heart journal. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Growth of Cardiac Fibromas During Infancy.
This retrospective single-center study followed 36 infants and children with cardiac fibromas using serial cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) and/or cardiac computed tomography (CT) to characterize the natural history of fibroma size during infancy and childhood. Contrary to the historical assumption of stability, the study found that cardiac fibromas can grow over time. Scientifically and clinically, these data argue for longitudinal imaging surveillance of pediatric cardiac fibromas to better anticipate progression and associated complications such as arrhythmias and hemodynamic compromise.
Jurow K, Sperotto F, Geva T et al. · Journal of cardiovascular magnetic resonance : official journal of the Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Giant Coronary Artery Aneurysms and Severe Biventricular Failure: Multimodality Imaging-Guided Conservative Management.
This JACC Case Reports report describes a 35-year-old man with acute heart failure in whom multimodality imaging (transthoracic echocardiography, coronary CT angiography, and CMR) was used to characterize giant multivessel coronary artery aneurysms with mural thrombi and myocardial injury. CMR showed transmural late gadolinium enhancement confined to the anterior and lateral walls with partial recovery of biventricular function after conservative management. The case highlights that, in selected patients, imaging-guided conservative strategies may be feasible even with giant coronary aneurysms and severe biventricular failure.
Davila Flores D, Pitta Acevedo M, Vargas Cabrera O et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Peripartum cardiomyopathy presenting as postpartum cardiogenic shock: a multimodality imaging approach.
This case report studied peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) presenting as postpartum cardiogenic shock in a peripartum patient, using computed tomography and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) as complementary multimodality imaging. The key finding was that CT and CMR together supported recognition of PPCM while helping exclude alternative acute peripartum etiologies in the setting of cardiogenic shock. Clinically, the report emphasizes rapid, imaging-guided differentiation in postpartum heart failure to enable timely PPCM management and avoid misdiagnosis.
Pretelt ECG, Romanque P, Alegría Bobadilla J et al. · The international journal of cardiovascular imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Evaluating the Accuracy and Efficiency of Virtual Reality Segmentation for Black-Blood Fetal Cardiac MRI.
This retrospective feasibility study evaluated a virtual reality–assisted volumetric segmentation pipeline (Elucis, Realize Medical) for black-blood contrast fetal cardiac MRI in pregnant women undergoing screening for congenital heart disease (CHD). The key finding was that the pipeline enabled efficient generation of 3D CHD models from high-resolution T2-weighted single-shot black-blood fetal cardiac MRI. Scientifically, it supports VR-based segmentation as a practical workflow to improve CHD model creation when fetal echocardiography is limited by fetal positioning or maternal anatomy.
Azar S, Friesen R, Rejeti SBY et al. · Pediatric cardiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Machine learning & AI for cardiovascular imaging/diagnosis
Pattern and texton-based feature descriptors for Diabetic foot ulcer detection.
This study proposed a deep learning framework for diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) detection (DLS-DFUD) using wavelet transform-based Wiener filtering (WT-WF) for preprocessing, followed by segmentation, feature extraction, and classification. The key finding was that combining WT-WF denoising with a pattern/texton-inspired feature descriptor pipeline improves DFU detection performance compared with less structured approaches (as described in the abstract). Scientifically and clinically, the method aims to enable more prompt and precise DFU identification to reduce infection and amputation risk.
Vali M, Rajini NH, Laxmaiah M · Expert review of medical devices · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Valve-in-valve and transcatheter valve engineering/outcomes
Case Example and Bench Testing of Hydrodynamic Performance and Migration Stability of Various Valve-in-Valve Configurations within a Large-Housing Self-Expanding Pulmonary Valve.
This report combined a clinical case and bench testing to evaluate hydrodynamic performance and migration stability of valve-in-valve (ViV) configurations within a large-housing self-expanding pulmonary valve, including a Noonan syndrome patient receiving a 36–25 mm VenusP-valve (Venus Medtech). The key finding was that after 6 years the implanted valve showed only mild gradient increase with moderate regurgitation (CMR regurgitation fraction 30%), and repeat percutaneous ViV implantation was performed with subsequent bench testing informing stability and performance considerations. The significance is that it provides practical evidence to guide sizing and stability expectations for ViV pulmonary valve strategies in large self-expanding systems.
Góreczny S, Kenny D · Catheterization and cardiovascular interventions : official journal of the Society for Cardiac Angiography & Interventions · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Real-time CMR and advanced quantitative imaging in arrhythmia
Dual-phase systolic and diastolic cardiac diffusion tensor imaging using higher order motion compensation spin echo sequences at 300 mT/m gradient strength.
This technical study evaluated dual-phase systolic and diastolic cardiac diffusion tensor imaging using higher-order motion-compensated spin-echo sequences on an MRI system with maximum gradient strength of 300 mT/m. In 10 healthy volunteers, it tested whether higher-order (up to 6th order) motion compensation beyond standard second-order compensation improves the feasibility and quality of cDTI acquisitions across systole and diastole. The significance is that it advances MRI methods to better capture myocardial microstructural dynamics throughout the cardiac cycle despite motion sensitivity.
Afzali M, Teh I, Coveney S et al. · Journal of cardiovascular magnetic resonance : official journal of the Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Feasibility of Continuous Ventricular Volumetric Quantification in Arrhythmias using Real-Time 3D CMR-MOTUS.
This feasibility study investigated continuous beat-to-beat ventricular volumetric quantification in arrhythmias using real-time 3D CMR-MOTUS in patients with premature ventricular contractions (PVCs). The key finding was that 3D real-time motion field reconstruction can enable continuous volumetric quantification without the heartbeat binning assumptions that fail in arrhythmia. This is significant because it supports more reliable CMR assessment of ventricular function during irregular rhythms, potentially improving characterization of arrhythmia-related cardiac dynamics.
Olausson TE, Terpstra ML, Ahmad R et al. · Journal of cardiovascular magnetic resonance : official journal of the Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Strain Rate Angle Distribution as an Indicator of Post-Infarct Myocardial Remodeling: Proof-of-Concept of a Novel Application of the MRI Derived Strain Rate Tensor Field.
This proof-of-concept study developed and applied a novel MRI-derived strain rate tensor field approach to assess post-infarct left ventricular (LV) remodeling in a rat model of myocardial infarction (MI). Using velocity-encoded MRI tissue phase mapping (TPM) data, the authors generated strain rate tensor metrics and demonstrated how strain rate angle distribution can indicate multidirectional remodeling beyond conventional strain measures. Scientifically, this supports strain-rate tensor imaging as a more comprehensive, time-resolved framework for quantifying post-infarct myocardial functional recovery and deterioration.
Totland L, Bendiksen BA, Nordén ES et al. · Magnetic resonance in medicine · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Malignant Early Repolarization Syndrome Unmasked by Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome in a Young Adult.
This JACC Case Reports article studied a 24-year-old man with idiopathic ventricular fibrillation (VF) where malignant early repolarization syndrome (ERS) was unmasked during acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The key finding was that during hypoxemia and hypokalemia he developed recurrent VF with inferolateral J-point elevation (>0.2 mV), and the arrhythmia was suppressed with quinidine and isoproterenol (as reported in the truncated abstract). Scientifically and clinically, it highlights how systemic stressors like ARDS can trigger ERS-related VF and supports prompt recognition of ERS on ECG to guide antiarrhythmic therapy.
Sah S, Doshi P, Bhandari J et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Mitochondrial dysfunction and bioenergetics in cardiac disease
Myocardial mitochondrial morphology and oxidative phosphorylation capacity in wild-type transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy.
This experimental study examined wild-type transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTRwt) by analyzing endomyocardial biopsies from patients using electron microscopy for mitochondrial morphology and high-resolution respirometry for oxidative phosphorylation capacity. The key finding was that amyloid load correlated with alterations in mitochondrial structure and reduced oxidative phosphorylation capacity, linking ATTRwt deposition to impaired mitochondrial bioenergetics. Scientifically, it clarifies a mechanistic pathway by which amyloid burden may drive cardiomyocyte dysfunction, informing potential mitochondrial-targeted therapeutic strategies.
Ladefoged B, Fensman S, Deutch F et al. · Journal of molecular and cellular cardiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Impaired myocardial oxygen metabolism and energy efficiency in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy.
This study evaluated myocardial oxygen metabolism, cardiac work, and mechano-energetic efficiency in 49 patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and 23 matched controls using non-contrast and contrast cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) techniques including cine CMR, pre/post-contrast T1 mapping for extracellular volume (ECV), and first-pass perfusion imaging. DCM patients showed impaired myocardial oxygenation and reduced energy efficiency compared with controls, alongside altered cardiac work and strain measures. These findings support CMR-derived oxygen-metabolism and efficiency metrics as potential mechanistic biomarkers for risk stratification and therapeutic targeting in DCM.
Dai L, Qiao J, Wang K et al. · Journal of cardiovascular magnetic resonance : official journal of the Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Herpes simplex virus and kallikrein-related peptidases - a functional connection in Alzheimer’s disease.
This study examined whether cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) kallikrein-related peptidase 6 (KLK6) is associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) biomarkers and with an intrathecal anti–herpes simplex virus (HSV) immune response, and whether HSV-1 alters KLK6 expression in cell culture. In patients with AD, CSF KLK6 levels correlated with AD biomarker measures and with markers of intrathecal anti-HSV-1/2 immune activity (HSV serostatus and CSF-to-serum antibody index), and HSV-1 infection modulated KLK6 expression in vitro. The significance is that a functional HSV–KLK6 connection could link viral immune responses to AD pathology and identify a potential biomarker or mechanistic pathway.
Goldhardt O, Robles CM, Eberl M et al. · Alzheimer’s research & therapy · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Reperfusion injury and cardioprotection pathways
Reduced ALDH2 Activity and Cardiovascular Carbonyl Stress: From Reactive Aldehyde Networks to Coronary Microvascular Obstruction.
This review synthesized evidence on how reduced mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) activity contributes to cardiovascular carbonyl stress and reperfusion injury phenotypes after primary percutaneous coronary intervention for ST-elevation myocardial infarction. The key finding was that ALDH2 reduction acts as a susceptibility amplifier by promoting reactive aldehyde accumulation (e.g., lipid peroxidation-derived aldehydes) that can worsen microvascular obstruction and related outcomes. Clinically, the review supports ALDH2-centered pathways as potential targets for mitigating no-reflow and microvascular obstruction after reperfusion.
Yan Z, Pu X, Cai Y et al. · Cardiovascular toxicology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Quantitative myocardial perfusion (PET/CT vs CMR)
Quantitative Assessment of Myocardial Perfusion: A Review of PET/CT and CMR Methods.
This review compared quantitative myocardial perfusion assessment using PET/CT and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) methods for measuring myocardial blood flow and myocardial perfusion reserve. The key finding was that both modalities can provide pixel-wise, segmental, and global quantitative perfusion metrics with additive diagnostic value over conventional qualitative perfusion imaging, especially in complex multivessel disease. The significance is that quantitative perfusion approaches can improve coronary artery disease diagnosis and management by offering more precise, measurable flow limitations.
Anderton T, Kamani CH, Kellman P et al. · JACC. Cardiovascular imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Cardiac fibrosis and molecular/omics links (gene networks/biomarkers)
Weighted gene co-expression network reveals CCND1 as a promising biomarker and therapeutic target for myocardial fibrosis in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
This bioinformatics study used weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) integrating transcriptomic data with myocardial fibrosis severity quantified by late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) on cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). The key finding was that CCND1 emerged as a promising biomarker and therapeutic target for myocardial fibrosis, linking gene co-expression modules to imaging-defined fibrotic burden. Scientifically, it identifies CCND1-associated pathways that may be leveraged to develop targeted antifibrotic strategies in HCM.
Chang L, Gong C, Wu Z et al. · Biochemical and biophysical research communications · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Septal Nonischemic Late Gadolinium Enhancement After Myocardial Infarction Is Associated With Adverse Remodeling and Improves Risk Stratification for Heart Failure Outcomes.
This study analyzed 948 patients with prior myocardial infarction on cardiac magnetic resonance (excluding nonischemic cardiomyopathies/myocarditis) to characterize nonischemic late gadolinium enhancement (NI-LGE; midwall or subepicardial) and its prognostic value for heart failure outcomes. NI-LGE was present in 78 patients (8.2%) and was associated with adverse cardiac remodeling, improving risk stratification for subsequent heart failure events using competing-risk analysis. These findings support using CMR-defined NI-LGE patterns to identify post-MI patients at higher risk for adverse remodeling and worse heart failure prognosis.
Zhou P, Zhao K, Aisikaier K et al. · Journal of the American Heart Association · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Glycemic Status, Cardiac Structure, and Function by Magnetic Resonance Imaging: The Jackson Heart Study.
Using cardiac magnetic resonance in Jackson Heart Study participants (Black adults; imaging acquired 2008–2012), this study examined how glycemic status and related markers relate to left ventricular (LV) remodeling metrics including Eulerian peak systolic circumferential strain, LV mass, volumes, ejection fraction, and a LV remodeling index. The key finding was that glycemic status was associated with measurable differences in LV remodeling and subclinical myocardial dysfunction markers on CMR. Clinically, this supports CMR-based detection of early remodeling risk in Black adults with type 2 diabetes and related glycemic abnormalities.
Kaze AD, Ani C, Fox ER et al. · Journal of the American Heart Association · (2026) · 1 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Vascular changes in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
This 2026 review synthesized evidence on vascular changes in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), focusing on how (micro)vascular dysfunction and structural vascular remodeling relate to fibrosis and clinical outcomes. The key finding was that multiple assessment modalities consistently implicate both cardiac and peripheral vascular abnormalities in HCM progression, beyond the primary myocardial hypertrophy phenotype. This is significant because it frames vascular targets and imaging/physiologic tests as potential tools for risk stratification and mechanistic understanding in HCM.
Visch JE, Nassar A, Burchell G et al. · Cardiovascular research · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Restrictive cardiomyopathies and endomyocardial fibrosis outcomes
Endomyocardial fibrosis in adults: multimodality imaging phenotype and independent predictors of mortality.
This retrospective single-center cohort study of adults (≥18 years) with endomyocardial fibrosis (EMF) used multimodality imaging—transthoracic echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance when available—to characterize imaging phenotypes and determine independent predictors of all-cause mortality. The key finding was that specific clinical and imaging features were independently associated with mortality over long-term follow-up (1997–2024). Clinically, identifying these predictors and phenotypes can improve risk stratification and guide management decisions in this rare restrictive cardiomyopathy.
Hotta VT, Romero CE, Madrini V et al. · International journal of cardiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Brain Cortex Thinning in Cardiac Allograft Vasculopathy - Associations With Myocardial Fibrosis and Cognitive Impairment.
This study investigated brain cortical thickness changes in 77 heart-transplant recipients (35 with cardiac allograft vasculopathy [CAV] and 42 without) and 45 healthy controls using MRI, and tested associations with myocardial fibrosis and cognitive impairment. The CAV group demonstrated significant cortical thinning in multiple regions (including bilateral superior frontal gyrus, left angular gyrus, and left supramarginal gyrus) and these changes were linked to myocardial fibrosis and worse cognitive performance. The significance is that CAV-related cardiac pathology may have measurable neuroanatomic correlates, suggesting a brain–heart axis relevant to long-term outcomes after transplantation.
Qin Q, Zhu D, Zheng N et al. · Circulation journal : official journal of the Japanese Circulation Society · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Echocardiographic risk markers after myocardial infarction
Peak apical rotation independently predicts left ventricular thrombus following anterior myocardial infarction.
In a multicentre prospective observational study of 270 patients with anterior myocardial infarction, the investigators quantified peak apical rotation using speckle-tracking echocardiography and assessed its ability to predict left ventricular thrombus identified by echocardiography or cardiac MRI during index admission or follow-up. Peak apical rotation was significantly lower in patients who developed LV thrombus, and the study evaluated its independent predictive value and discrimination using multivariable regression and receiver-operating characteristic analysis. This is scientifically and clinically important because it suggests a measurable echocardiographic marker that could improve risk stratification for LV thrombus after anterior MI.
Jones J, Coldea B, Butt H et al. · European heart journal. Cardiovascular Imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Guidelines, implementation, and perioperative cardiovascular management
Cardiac Imaging in Structural Valve Clinical Trials: Secondary Mitral Regurgitation.
This review examined how multimodality cardiac imaging (transthoracic/transesophageal echocardiography, cardiac CT, and cardiac MRI) is used in structural valve clinical trials for patients with secondary mitral regurgitation undergoing transcatheter edge-to-edge repair or transcatheter mitral valve replacement. It highlights the imaging criteria used for trial enrollment and the imaging endpoints used to guide procedural planning and outcome assessment across these trials. The work is clinically significant because it standardizes the role of echocardiography, CT, and CMR in selecting and evaluating high-risk patients for transcatheter mitral interventions.
Chehab O, Capasso R, Delgado V et al. · Circulation. Cardiovascular imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
From Hippocrates to Biologics, The Evolving History of Pericarditis: A Review.
This narrative review traced the historical evolution of pericarditis diagnosis and management from early descriptions (including Hippocrates) through later refinements by clinicians such as Laennec, Spodick, and Hatle. It summarizes how treatment progressed from largely symptomatic or surgical approaches (e.g., pericardiectomy for advanced constrictive disease) toward modern diagnostic frameworks and emerging therapeutic strategies. The significance lies in providing context for current clinical practice and future biologic or targeted approaches in pericarditis.
Al-Dalakta A, Tabaja C, Alqahtani M et al. · Circulation · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
2026 AHA/ACC/ACS/ASNC/HRS/SCA/SCCT/SCMR/SVM Guideline for Perioperative Cardiovascular Management for Noncardiac Surgery: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines.
This guideline article studied the evidence base and consensus recommendations used to develop the 2026 AHA/ACC/ACS/ASNC/HRS/SCA/SCCT/SCMR/SVM perioperative cardiovascular management guideline for adult patients undergoing noncardiac surgery. It reports that a comprehensive literature search (Aug 2022–Mar 2023) informed structured recommendations for perioperative cardiovascular evaluation and management. The clinical significance is that it provides an updated, evidence-based framework to reduce perioperative cardiovascular risk in noncardiac surgical patients.
Thompson A, Fleischmann KE, Smilowitz NR et al. · Circulation · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Navigating the irradiated ureter: multi-institutional outcomes of robotic ureteral reconstruction for radiation-induced strictures.
This multi-institutional retrospective outcomes study examined robotic ureteral reconstruction for radiation-induced ureteral strictures in consecutive patients captured in the CORRUS database (2018–2024). The key finding was that robotic reconstruction was feasible for strictures occurring in the irradiated field characterized by dense peri-ureteral scarring and impaired tissue mobility. Clinically, the results support robotic approaches as an option for complex ureteral strictures after pelvic radiation when conventional reconstruction is challenging.
Lee M, Wegner G, Santos R et al. · World journal of urology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Generated automatically on September 29, 2026. Covers PubMed articles published September 22, 2026 – September 29, 2026. Summaries are AI-generated; always consult the original publication for clinical or research decisions.