What's New in Cardiac MRI? — September 30, 2026
AI-summarised digest of 66 PubMed articles on Cardiac MRI published in the last 7 days.
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What’s New in Cardiac MRI?
September 30, 2026 · 66 articles · 15 research themes · covering September 23, 2026 – September 30, 2026
Overview
Across this week’s set of studies, cardiac MRI (and related quantitative imaging) continues to expand from diagnosis into risk stratification, mechanistic understanding, and workflow innovation. Multiple papers emphasize CMR-derived biomarkers—native T1/ECV thresholds in transthyretin amyloidosis, T1-mapping sequence feasibility (including motion-robust free-breathing approaches), and quantitative perfusion strategies (including PET/CMR comparisons and rate-pressure-product correction). Together, these works point toward more standardized, contrast-sparing, and patient-tolerable CMR protocols that can detect subclinical disease earlier and better predict outcomes.
A dominant clinical theme is infiltrative disease—especially amyloidosis—highlighting both diagnostic pitfalls and evolving phenotypes. Case reports and cohorts repeatedly show that amyloid can mimic other cardiomyopathies (e.g., HCM-like hypertrophy, LVOT obstruction, or myocarditis-like presentations) and that “standard” noninvasive algorithms (such as radionuclide patterns or screening panels) can be falsely negative or incomplete for rarer variants (e.g., non-TTR/non-AL amyloid). These reports collectively argue for tissue/proteomic confirmation and multimodality imaging when clinical suspicion remains high.
Finally, the digest reflects a broader move toward precision risk prediction in cardiology: electrophysiology studies refine ICD decision-making beyond LVEF using CMR scar and programmed stimulation; remodeling and fibrosis papers link imaging phenotypes (including nonischemic LGE after MI and multimodal endomyocardial fibrosis) to long-term prognosis; and machine-learning efforts range from imaging-based detection (diabetic foot ulcers) to evaluating the clinical readiness of AI for sudden cardiac death prediction. Methodologically, new imaging physics and motion-aware CMR approaches (including continuous volumetry in arrhythmias and diffusion tensor advances) suggest that better data acquisition is enabling more reliable biology-driven interpretation.
Fetal & Pediatric Cardiac Imaging/Modeling
Evaluating the Accuracy and Efficiency of Virtual Reality Segmentation for Black-Blood Fetal Cardiac MRI.
This retrospective feasibility study evaluated a novel volumetric segmentation pipeline using virtual reality (Elucis, Realize Medical) on black-blood contrast fetal cardiac MRI to generate 3D congenital heart disease (CHD) models in pregnant women undergoing fetal cardiac MRI screening. The virtual reality–based segmentation approach was assessed for accuracy and efficiency in producing 3D CHD models from high-resolution 2D T2-weighted single-shot black-blood fetal cardiac MRI. If validated, this workflow could improve the speed and reliability of fetal CHD model generation when fetal echocardiography is limited by fetal position or maternal anatomy.
Azar S, Friesen R, Rejeti SBY et al. · Pediatric cardiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Robotic & Surgical Reconstruction
Navigating the irradiated ureter: multi-institutional outcomes of robotic ureteral reconstruction for radiation-induced strictures.
This multi-institutional retrospective CORRUS database study examined robotic ureteral reconstruction in patients with radiation-induced ureteral strictures treated between 2018 and 2024. The key finding was the reported multi-institutional surgical outcomes for robotic reconstruction of irradiated ureters, addressing the technical challenges of dense peri-ureteral scarring and limited tissue mobility in the radiation field. These results support robotic reconstruction as a feasible option for complex radiation-associated ureteral strictures and help guide management decisions across institutions.
Lee M, Wegner G, Santos R et al. · World journal of urology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Cardiac Arrhythmias & Electrophysiology
Type 1 Kounis Syndrome Presenting as Coronary Pseudostenosis During Status Asthmaticus.
This case report describes a 46-year-old atopic man admitted with status asthmaticus who developed inferior ST-elevation myocardial infarction, complete heart block, ventricular fibrillation, and cardiogenic shock. Emergent coronary angiography showed multivessel coronary vasospasm with apparent stenoses up to 90%, and repeat angiography later demonstrated nonobstructive coronary artery disease, consistent with Kounis syndrome rather than fixed atherosclerotic disease. Clinically, it highlights that severe allergic/vasospastic presentations during status asthmaticus can mimic obstructive coronary disease and require rapid recognition and management.
Yu AM, Mohmand B, Li AZ et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Myocarditis-Like Presentation Leads to DSP Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy Diagnosis: From Variant of Uncertain Significance to Diagnosis.
This JACC Case Reports study evaluated a 38-year-old woman with chest pain, elevated troponin, and normal coronary arteries whose myocarditis-like presentation was ultimately linked to desmoplakin (DSP) arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy. Cardiac MRI showed multifocal nonischemic late gadolinium enhancement, and a DSP variant of uncertain significance (VUS) was reclassified to likely pathogenic on follow-up, establishing DSP cardiomyopathy. The case highlights the clinical importance of variant reclassification and serial CMR in diagnosing genetic arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathies when initial presentation mimics myocarditis.
DeLorenzo O, Farkouh F, Alameh I et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Complete Atrioventricular Block in an HLA-B27-Positive Woman Without Overt Spondyloarthritis.
This JACC Case Reports article described a 43-year-old HLA-B27–positive woman without overt spondyloarthritis who presented with symptomatic complete atrioventricular block requiring dual-chamber pacemaker implantation. Despite the absence of clinical spondyloarthritis, multimodality evaluation (including cardiac MRI and FDG-PET) and extensive genetic testing supported an inflammatory conduction disease context associated with HLA-B27. The case emphasizes that HLA-B27–associated conduction disease can occur without classic spondyloarthritis and should be considered in unexplained adult-onset complete heart block.
Batista Lage JG, Tavares Pinheiro MV, Ferreira de Souza O et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Malignant Early Repolarization Syndrome Unmasked by Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome in a Young Adult.
This JACC Case Reports report described a previously healthy 24-year-old man who developed malignant early repolarization syndrome (ERS) unmasked during acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) after out-of-hospital ventricular fibrillation (VF) arrest. The patient experienced recurrent VF triggered by short-coupled premature ventricular complexes during hypoxemia and hypokalemia, with inferolateral J-point elevation (>0.2 mV) on ECG and suppression of arrhythmias with quinidine and isoproterenol. Clinically, the case highlights that systemic stressors such as ARDS-related hypoxemia and hypokalemia can precipitate life-threatening ERS arrhythmias even in structurally normal hearts.
Sah S, Doshi P, Bhandari J et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Programmed Ventricular Stimulation for Risk Stratification in Nonischemic Cardiomyopathy With Preserved or Mildly Reduced LVEF.
This study evaluated programmed ventricular stimulation (PVS) for arrhythmic risk stratification in consecutive patients with nonischemic cardiomyopathy (NICM), cardiac magnetic resonance–confirmed myocardial scar, LVEF ≥40%, and frequent PVCs (>5%) or nonsustained ventricular tachycardia. The key finding was the performance of PVS in identifying higher-risk patients for ventricular arrhythmic events among NICM patients who do not meet standard ICD criteria based on LVEF alone. If confirmed, PVS could refine ICD decision-making in NICM patients with preserved or mildly reduced LVEF by leveraging CMR scar and electrophysiologic inducibility.
Gardziejczyk P, Sagawa Y, Afzalian A et al. · JACC. Clinical electrophysiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Congenital Heart Disease & Structural Anomalies
Congenital muscular ventricular septal aneurysm coexisting with a pericardial cyst, a case report.
This case report studied congenital muscular ventricular septal aneurysm (VSA) in a 32-year-old man, with echocardiographic and coronary computed tomography angiography evaluation of an associated pericardial cyst. The key finding was an asymptomatic midventricular septal aneurysm with regional hypokinesis, left ventricular dilation, and mildly reduced LVEF (46%), coexisting with a pericardial cyst. Clinically, it highlights that congenital VSA can mimic post-infarct etiologies and that multimodality imaging is important for diagnosis and management planning when therapeutic strategy and prognosis are uncertain.
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 ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Complex bilateral coronary artery fistulas with multiple drainage sites: a multimodality imaging case report.
This European Heart Journal Case Reports study evaluated a 68-year-old patient with exertional dyspnea and dizziness found to have complex bilateral coronary artery fistulas (CAFs). Coronary angiography and multislice CT demonstrated CAFs originating from both coronary arteries with multiple drainage sites, including the superior vena cava, right atrium, and descending aorta, with physiologic evidence of ischemia (negative fractional flow reserve despite intermediate LAD stenosis). The report illustrates how multimodality imaging can delineate complex CAF anatomy and guide clinical decision-making when management is controversial.
Ružičić D, Čanković M, Komazec N et al. · European heart journal. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Cardiac Amyloidosis (ATTR/AL/Other) & Infiltrative Cardiomyopathies
Epicardial Amyloidoma Mimicking Secondary Cardiac Lymphoma: A Sneeze Away From the Diagnosis.
This case report studied a man with indolent B-cell lymphoma and monoclonal gammopathy who developed an epicardial mass that mimicked secondary cardiac lymphoma. Cardiac MRI showed marked enhancement and increased extracellular volume suggestive of malignant infiltration, but surgical biopsy revealed localized amyloidoma (Congo red–positive amyloid). The report emphasizes a diagnostic pitfall: localized cardiac amyloid can closely resemble lymphoma on multimodality imaging, so histologic confirmation is crucial.
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 case report evaluated a 71-year-old man with new-onset heart failure and concentric LV hypertrophy whose noninvasive workup for cardiac amyloidosis was discordant. Although CMR suggested an infiltrative phenotype with late gadolinium enhancement and parametric mapping consistent with amyloid, negative bone scintigraphy and monoclonal protein screening led to endomyocardial biopsy, and mass spectrometry-based proteomics ultimately identified apolipoprotein A-IV cardiac amyloidosis. The significance is that rare amyloid types can evade standard noninvasive algorithms, requiring proteomic confirmation when routine tests are negative.
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 case report studied a 52-year-old Moroccan woman with presumed hypertrophic cardiomyopathy phenocopy whose diagnosis was clarified using multimodality imaging. Cardiac MRI showed asymmetric hypertrophy with papillary muscle involvement plus markedly elevated native T1 and extracellular volume, and subsequent bone scintigraphy demonstrated intense tracer uptake consistent with hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis. The clinical significance is that ATTR can mimic HCM, and CMR tissue characterization plus nuclear imaging can prevent misdiagnosis in patients with unexplained ventricular hypertrophy.
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 evaluated 10 Afro-Caribbean patients diagnosed with transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis (ATTR-CA) in a safety-net hospital, motivated by underdiagnosis despite the Val122Ile (V142Ile) variant prevalence. All patients had positive 99mTc-PYP scans, with presentations ranging from heart failure to syncope with high-degree atrioventricular block and pericardial tamponade, and CMR supported infiltrative cardiomyopathy features. The findings underscore the need for heightened ATTR-CA screening and diagnostic pathways in Afro-Caribbean populations at risk for the V142Ile variant.
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 studied diagnostic pitfalls in a 74-year-old man with suspected transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis (ATTR-CM) after false-negative technetium-99m pyrophosphate scintigraphy (cardiac amyloid radionuclide imaging, CARI). Cardiac magnetic resonance showed isolated circumferential basal wall thickening with localized subendocardial late gadolinium enhancement, consistent with early/nondiffuse amyloid infiltration despite negative radionuclide imaging. The report highlights that CARI can be falsely negative in early-stage ATTR-CM and that CMR pattern recognition can be clinically decisive when suspicion remains high.
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 studied the relationship between hematologic response and cardiac recovery in a 66-year-old woman with AL (lambda light-chain) amyloidosis due to plasma cell myeloma. Although daratumumab-based chemotherapy substantially reduced free λ light chains, cardiac status did not recover, with imaging consistent with infiltrative cardiomyopathy. The findings emphasize that hematologic response in AL amyloidosis may not translate to cardiac improvement, supporting the need for cardiac-directed monitoring and risk stratification beyond serum markers.
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 studied a 61-year-old man with rare hereditary cardiac amyloidosis (CA) in whom light-chain CA was excluded and genetic testing identified an Apolipoprotein gene mutation (Apolipoprotein-related hereditary CA). Cardiac magnetic resonance and echocardiography supported infiltrative amyloidosis with progressive heart failure, and treatment with an SGLT2 inhibitor was used as therapy “beyond ATTR/AL.” The report is significant because it suggests potential therapeutic relevance of SGLT2 inhibition for non-ATTR/non-AL hereditary cardiac amyloidosis, a group with limited evidence.
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 studied a 49-year-old man with hereditary transthyretin (TTR) cardiac amyloidosis presenting with severe left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction that mimicked hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy. Cardiac magnetic resonance showed diffuse subendocardial late gadolinium enhancement while bone scintigraphy showed low-grade myocardial uptake, and genetic testing identified a pathogenic TTR variant. The report is clinically important because it shows that TTR amyloidosis can produce marked LVOT obstruction and should be considered when HCM-like physiology is present but imaging/genetics suggest amyloid.
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 studied a 36-year-old woman in whom smartwatch-detected sinus tachycardia led to 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 significance is that wearable technology can unmask early, heterogeneous AL presentations in younger adults and accelerate referral for definitive amyloid workup.
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 studied a 74-year-old man with amyloid light-chain (AL) amyloidosis involving both the heart and temporal arteries that initially mimicked giant cell arteritis. Temporal artery biopsy confirmed AL amyloidosis, and cardiac evaluation showed infiltrative cardiomyopathy with elevated cardiac biomarkers and supportive cardiac magnetic resonance findings. The report is significant because it demonstrates that temporal artery biopsy can clarify diagnostic uncertainty and enable prompt AL-directed therapy (bortezomib, cyclophosphamide, dexamethasone) when cardiac involvement is present.
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 studied a patient with triple infiltrative cardiomyopathy—cardiac sarcoidosis plus both AL and TTR amyloidosis—evaluated for advanced heart failure requiring transplant. The coexistence of sarcoidosis and both amyloid types was identified in myocardial tissue using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry, supported by advanced cardiac magnetic resonance and FDG-PET imaging. The clinical significance is that comprehensive multimodality tissue-based characterization can guide management and transplant decisions in rare mixed infiltrative cardiomyopathies.
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 studied a 64-year-old woman with apolipoprotein A-IV (AApoAIV) cardiac amyloidosis presenting as massive ventricular wall thickening that mimicked hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Multimodality imaging suggested infiltrative cardiomyopathy with diffuse late gadolinium enhancement and apical-sparing strain, but technetium-99m pyrophosphate scintigraphy showed no myocardial uptake, and the final diagnosis was AApoAIV amyloidosis. The report is significant because it shows that non-TTR/non-AL amyloid can evade typical radionuclide patterns and should be considered when HCM-like imaging does not match expected amyloid tracer uptake.
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 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 septum and atria, while bone scintigraphy showed no pathologic uptake (Perugini grade 0). The significance is that AL amyloidosis can present with HCM-like phenotypes and be missed by radionuclide imaging, so CMR and serum/hematologic evaluation are crucial during family screening.
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 used multimodality cardiac imaging and histopathologic evidence to document phenotypic transition from Danon disease to arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy in a 30-year-old woman with a pathogenic LAMP2 variant. Over time, she progressed from a hypertrophic phenotype with short PR interval to diffuse low QRS voltages, recurrent ventricular arrhythmias, and cardiac MRI findings of ring-like late gadolinium enhancement with biventricular systolic dysfunction consistent with biventricular arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy. The report underscores that LAMP2-related Danon disease can evolve into an arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy phenotype, informing long-term surveillance and risk management.
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 JACC Case Reports article described a 51-year-old Nigerian man with complex congenital heart disease who developed aggressive p.(V142I)-associated variant transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTRv-CM). Cardiac amyloidosis was suspected on echocardiography and confirmed by cardiac magnetic resonance and bone scintigraphy, with genetic sequencing later identifying homozygosity for the p.(V142I) transthyretin variant. The case illustrates a lethal combination of complex congenital heart disease and biologically aggressive ATTRv-CM, emphasizing the need for early amyloidosis evaluation in high-risk patients.
Zathar Z, Choy CH, Al-Sakini N et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Cardiac MRI/CT Imaging Methods & Physics
Implementation of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in everyday cardiology practice.
This European Heart Journal clinical document reviewed how cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) can be implemented in everyday cardiology practice across common cardiac conditions (ischemic heart disease, heart failure, cardiomyopathies, valvular disease, aortopathies, masses, pericardial disease, and adult congenital heart disease). It summarizes key clinical indications, prognostic value, and practical limitations while explaining core CMR sequences used for diagnosis and follow-up. Scientifically and clinically, it provides a pragmatic framework to help general cardiologists select appropriate CMR protocols and interpret results to improve patient management.
Moharem-Elgamal S, Baritussio A, Christodorescu R et al. · European heart journal · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Dual-phase systolic and diastolic cardiac diffusion tensor imaging using higher order motion compensation spin echo sequences at 300 mT/m gradient strength.
This MRI physics study investigated dual-phase systolic and diastolic cardiac diffusion tensor imaging (cDTI) using higher-order motion-compensated spin-echo diffusion gradients (up to 6th order) on a 300 mT/m system. It found that extending motion compensation beyond standard second-order (M2) improved the feasibility of acquiring diffusion tensor measures across both systole and diastole in healthy volunteers. The scientific significance is that it advances cDTI methodology toward more complete characterization of myocardial microstructure dynamics across the cardiac cycle.
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 ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Feasibility of Continuous Ventricular Volumetric Quantification in Arrhythmias using Real-Time 3D CMR-MOTUS.
This study evaluated the feasibility of continuous beat-to-beat ventricular volumetric quantification in arrhythmia patients using real-time 3D CMR with motion field reconstruction (CMR-MOTUS). The key finding was that 3D real-time motion field reconstruction can enable continuous volumetric quantification without the heartbeat binning assumptions that fail in premature ventricular contraction–related incoherent dynamics. Scientifically, it advances CMR methods toward more reliable functional assessment in arrhythmias where conventional cine approaches lose clinically relevant information.
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 ↗
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 contrast agent, in 32 patients with Anderson-Fabry disease undergoing 3T cardiac MRI at two gadopiclenol dose levels. Gadopiclenol produced myocardial T1 shortening and late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) image quality comparable to expectations for effective LGE imaging while enabling reduced gadolinium dose. The results support gadopiclenol as a potentially dose-sparing CMR contrast option for LGE-based assessment in Anderson-Fabry disease.
Kollmann AT, Huflage H, Dazeh RS et al. · Investigative radiology · (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 MRI-derived strain rate tensor field analysis to assess post-infarct left ventricular (LV) remodeling in a rat model of myocardial infarction. Using velocity-encoded MRI with tissue phase mapping (TPM) post-processing to compute strain rate tensor distributions, the authors showed that strain rate angle distribution can indicate multidirectional remodeling beyond conventional strain metrics. The technique provides a new MRI-based framework for more sensitive, direction-aware characterization of myocardial remodeling after infarction.
Totland L, Bendiksen BA, Nordén ES et al. · Magnetic resonance in medicine · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Native myocardial T1 mapping using rapid 1.5T T1FLASH and T1 MOLLI during breath-hold and free-breathing.
This prospective study compared native myocardial T1 mapping performance using rapid 1.5T T1FLASH and modified Look-Locker inversion recovery with motion correction (T1 MOLLI MOCO) in 14 healthy adult volunteers during breath-hold and free-breathing. Both sequences enabled quantitative T1 mapping, with rapid T1FLASH reducing breath-hold demands and supporting acquisition under free-breathing conditions to mitigate motion-related artifacts. The results support more patient-tolerable CMR T1 mapping protocols that may improve feasibility and image quality in clinical populations with limited breath-hold capacity.
Röwer LM, Hussen-Demir Y, Verde PE et al. · BMC cardiovascular disorders · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
CMR Quantitative Biomarkers (T1/T2/ECV/Perfusion/Strain/Metabolic)
Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Reference Values for Left Ventricular Diastolic Function and Left Atrial Sphericity Index in Healthy Adults.
This study established cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) reference values for left ventricular (LV) diastolic volumetric function parameters and the left atrial sphericity index (LASI) in healthy adults. It found that in a rigorously screened cohort of 503 healthy Chinese adults, age- and sex-specific normal ranges could be derived for these CMR-derived indices. The clinical significance is that these reference values enable more accurate interpretation of diastolic function and left atrial remodeling in patients evaluated with CMR.
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 ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Impaired myocardial oxygen metabolism and energy efficiency in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy.
This study evaluated myocardial oxygen metabolism and mechano-energetic efficiency in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) using a non-contrast CMR protocol including cine imaging, pre/post-contrast T1 mapping for extracellular volume (ECV), and first-pass perfusion imaging. The key finding was that DCM patients showed impaired myocardial oxygenation and reduced energy efficiency compared with matched controls, alongside altered cardiac work and functional measures. Clinically, it supports CMR-derived metabolic and energetic biomarkers as potential tools for understanding disease severity and predicting outcomes 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 ↗
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 evaluated for transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTR) to define native T1 thresholds and prognostic risk strata across the ATTR spectrum and compare performance with extracellular volume (ECV). Native T1 mapping provided diagnostic and risk-prediction stratification across ATTR stages, with thresholds and prognostic strata intended to be more broadly applicable than center-specific cutoffs. The work supports native T1 as a contrast-free CMR biomarker for diagnosing and risk-stratifying ATTR cardiomyopathy.
Aimo A, Sheikh A, Kakhi S et al. · JACC. Cardiovascular imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Glycemic Status, Cardiac Structure, and Function by Magnetic Resonance Imaging: The Jackson Heart Study.
This study evaluated associations between glycemic status/markers and left ventricular (LV) remodeling measured by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in Black adults from the Jackson Heart Study (JHS, 2008–2012). Compared across glycemic categories, glycemic status was associated with worse LV remodeling metrics including LV mass/volumes and strain-derived measures of systolic function (e.g., Eulerian circumferential systolic strain) and a composite LV remodeling index. These findings support using CMR-based structural and functional markers to detect subclinical myocardial dysfunction earlier in people with type 2 diabetes risk in Black populations.
Kaze AD, Ani C, Fox ER et al. · Journal of the American Heart Association · (2026) · 1 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Cardiac Fibrosis, Remodeling & Prognosis
Peak apical rotation independently predicts left ventricular thrombus following anterior myocardial infarction.
This multicentre prospective observational study tested whether peak apical rotation predicts left ventricular (LV) thrombus after anterior myocardial infarction. In 270 patients with anterior MI assessed post-hoc using speckle tracking echocardiography, LV thrombus (detected by echocardiography or CMR during index admission or follow-up) occurred in 33%, and peak apical rotation was lower in patients who developed thrombus, with multivariable models and ROC analyses evaluating discrimination. Clinically, it suggests that a CMR/echo-derived mechanical marker—peak apical rotation—could help identify patients at higher risk for LV thrombus who may benefit from closer monitoring or preventive strategies.
Jones J, Coldea B, Butt H et al. · European heart journal. Cardiovascular Imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Interaction Between Genotype, Phenotype, and Prognosis in Patients With Dilated Cardiomyopathy.
This prospective study investigated how genetic variants and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) fibrosis markers interact to influence long-term prognosis in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), using whole-genome sequencing and CMR. It found that DCM-associated genetic status (TTN variant, non-TTN variant, or genotype-negative) combined with CMR-derived fibrosis characteristics was associated with differential long-term outcomes, clarifying that prognosis is shaped by both genotype and imaging phenotype. The scientific significance is that it supports more precise risk stratification in DCM by integrating genomic information with CMR fibrosis measures.
Li Y, Xu Y, Guo Y et al. · JACC. Cardiovascular imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Multiscale four-dimensional imaging of cardiac remodelling after myocardial infarction.
This study examined multiscale four-dimensional (4D) cardiac imaging approaches to characterize post–myocardial infarction remodeling as a coupled spatiotemporal process across mechanical, hemodynamic, and molecular scales. It found that integrating temporal dynamics with 3D ventricular geometry enables a more unified characterization of infarcted-heart remodeling than conventional imaging that treats these processes in isolation. The scientific significance is that 4D imaging can improve understanding of how remodeling evolves over time, potentially informing better mechanistic models and future therapeutic targeting.
Lei H, Martinac B, Guo Y · The Journal of physiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
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 MRI to determine the prevalence and prognostic significance of nonischemic late gadolinium enhancement (NI-LGE), defined as midwall or subepicardial enhancement. NI-LGE was present in 78 patients (8.2%) and septal NI-LGE was associated with adverse cardiac remodeling and improved risk stratification for heart failure outcomes using competing-risk analysis. These findings support NI-LGE pattern assessment after MI as a clinically useful CMR marker for identifying patients at higher risk of future heart failure.
Zhou P, Zhao K, Aisikaier K et al. · Journal of the American Heart Association · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Ischemia, Microvascular Dysfunction & Perfusion
Impact of rate-pressure product correction of myocardial blood flow on the prognostic relevance in patients with heart failure.
This quantitative perfusion CMR study assessed whether correcting myocardial blood flow (MBF) for rate-pressure product (RPP) changes prognostic associations in heart failure. In 641 prospectively recruited heart failure patients and 184 healthy volunteers, the investigators compared uncorrected versus RPP-corrected MBF and derived corrected myocardial perfusion reserve (MPR) to test prognostic relevance for outcomes including heart failure hospitalization. The significance is that it informs how QP-CMR perfusion metrics should be processed and interpreted for risk stratification in heart failure.
Anderton T, Chambers B, Farooq M et al. · European heart journal. Cardiovascular Imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Stress CMR ischaemic burden and long-term mortality in left ventricular systolic dysfunction: a multicentre registry study.
This multicentre registry study evaluated whether stress perfusion CMR ischemic burden adds prognostic value for long-term mortality in patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction. Among consecutive patients undergoing vasodilator stress perfusion CMR at three French centers (2008–2024) with CMR-derived LVEF <50%, the study used multivariable Cox models to test incremental mortality prediction from ischaemia and late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) beyond clinical factors and LVEF. Clinically, it supports using stress CMR-derived ischemia/scar information to refine prognosis in LV systolic dysfunction.
Pfeffer A, Garot J, Duhamel S et al. · European heart journal. Cardiovascular Imaging · (2026) · 1 citations · View on PubMed ↗
Cardiac amyloidosis and coronary artery disease: an overlooked clinical intersection.
This study examined the clinical intersection between cardiac amyloidosis and coronary artery disease in elderly patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, focusing on mechanisms of ischemia and the role of epicardial versus microvascular disease. It found that while epicardial atherosclerosis is present in roughly 30–40% of cardiac amyloidosis patients, ischemia is more often driven by coronary microvascular dysfunction from amyloid infiltration of arteriolar walls, capillary rarefaction, and extravascular compression rather than flow-limiting epicardial obstruction. The finding is clinically significant because it reframes diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for ischemia in amyloidotic hearts, where treating presumed obstructive CAD may miss the dominant microvascular pathology.
Kancerek J, Suchodolski A, Wojnicz R et al. · Coronary artery disease · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Reduced ALDH2 Activity and Cardiovascular Carbonyl Stress: From Reactive Aldehyde Networks to Coronary Microvascular Obstruction.
This review examined how reduced mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) activity influences cardiovascular carbonyl stress and downstream reperfusion injury phenotypes after primary percutaneous coronary intervention for ST-segment 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 electrophilic aldehydes) that contributes to microvascular obstruction and related outcomes. Clinically, it frames ALDH2 as a potential risk-modifying target for preventing no-reflow and microvascular obstruction despite restored epicardial flow.
Yan Z, Pu X, Cai Y et al. · Cardiovascular toxicology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Quantitative Assessment of Myocardial Perfusion: A Review of PET/CT and CMR Methods.
This review assessed quantitative myocardial perfusion measurement approaches using PET/CT and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) methods for coronary artery disease. The key finding was that both modalities can quantify myocardial blood flow and myocardial perfusion reserve with added diagnostic value over qualitative perfusion imaging, particularly in complex multivessel disease scenarios. The significance is that standardized quantitative perfusion metrics can improve patient stratification and management decisions beyond conventional imaging interpretation.
Anderton T, Kamani CH, Kellman P et al. · JACC. Cardiovascular imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Intravascular imaging in myocardial infarction and ischemia with nonobstructive coronary arteries.
This review studied how intravascular imaging—optical coherence tomography (OCT) and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)—can characterize mechanisms in myocardial infarction with nonobstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) and angina/ischemia with nonobstructive coronary arteries (ANOCA/INOCA). It found that OCT is particularly useful for detecting acute superficial epicardial abnormalities 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. These findings support targeted intracoronary imaging during the index angiogram to improve mechanistic diagnosis and guide management in MINOCA/ANOCA/INOCA beyond coronary angiography alone.
Nishi T, Kume T, Irimpen A et al. · Cardiovascular intervention and therapeutics · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Giant Coronary Artery Aneurysms and Severe Biventricular Failure: Multimodality Imaging-Guided Conservative Management.
This case report studied a 35-year-old man with acute heart failure and giant multivessel coronary artery aneurysms using multimodality imaging (transthoracic echocardiography, coronary CT angiography, and cardiac magnetic resonance). CMR demonstrated transmural late gadolinium enhancement confined to the anterior and lateral walls with partial recovery of biventricular function under conservative management guided by imaging findings. The report highlights that imaging-defined myocardial injury extent and aneurysm anatomy can support nonstandard, conservative treatment strategies in giant coronary artery aneurysm presentations.
Davila Flores D, Pitta Acevedo M, Vargas Cabrera 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 case report investigated obstructive intramural coronary amyloidosis (OICA) as a cause of microvascular angina in an 83-year-old man with angina, recurrent ischemic symptoms, and persistently elevated troponin despite normal coronary angiography and nondiagnostic CMR. Endomyocardial biopsy identified extensive transthyretin amyloid deposition predominantly within intramural coronary arterioles, establishing OICA as the underlying mechanism. The clinical significance is that OICA can be an under-recognized phenocopy of ischemic heart disease, and tissue diagnosis may be required when noninvasive tests are inconclusive.
Fazzini L, D’Elia E, Sciatti E et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Genetics & Molecular Mechanisms in Cardiomyopathy
Myocardial mitochondrial morphology and oxidative phosphorylation capacity in wild-type transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy.
This research studied wild-type transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTRwt) in patients undergoing endomyocardial biopsy to characterize myocardial mitochondrial morphology and oxidative phosphorylation capacity. The key finding was that amyloid burden correlated with alterations in mitochondrial structure and oxidative phosphorylation performance, linking ATTRwt deposition to impaired mitochondrial oxidative function. The significance is that mitochondrial dysfunction may be a mechanistic contributor to ATTRwt cardiomyopathy progression and could inform future therapeutic targeting.
Ladefoged B, Fensman S, Deutch F et al. · Journal of molecular and cellular cardiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Weighted gene co-expression network reveals CCND1 as a promising biomarker and therapeutic target for myocardial fibrosis in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
This study used weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) to identify fibrotic pathways and regulatory genes in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) patients, integrating transcriptomic data with myocardial fibrosis severity measured by late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) on cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR). The key finding was that CCND1 emerged as a promising biomarker and therapeutic target for myocardial fibrosis in HCM. Scientifically, it provides a gene-level candidate linking fibrogenesis to HCM pathophysiology and suggests CCND1 for future mechanistic and therapeutic exploration.
Chang L, Gong C, Wu Z et al. · Biochemical and biophysical research communications · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Machine Learning & AI in Medical Imaging
Clinical readiness and methodological rigor of AI models for ventricular arrhythmia and sudden cardiac death prediction: A systematic review with PROBAST+AI appraisal.
This systematic review evaluated the clinical readiness and methodological rigor of artificial intelligence (AI) models for predicting ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death (SCD). It searched MEDLINE/PubMed, Embase, and Scopus through 3 October 2025 and used PROBAST+AI appraisal with prespecified anchor subgroup reporting (without pooling) focused on AUROC performance with 95% confidence intervals. The significance is that it identifies gaps in study design, validation, and reporting that currently limit translation of AI SCD/ventricular arrhythmia prediction into clinical practice.
Puljevic M, Petrovic M, Ivandic H et al. · Revista portuguesa de cardiologia : orgao oficial da Sociedade Portuguesa de Cardiologia = Portuguese journal of cardiology : an official journal of the Portuguese Society of Cardiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Pattern and texton-based feature descriptors for Diabetic foot ulcer detection.
This study investigated a deep learning framework for diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) detection in medical images, using wavelet transform-based Wiener filtering (WT-WF) for preprocessing followed by segmentation, feature extraction, and classification. The key finding was that the proposed DLS-DFUD pipeline provides an end-to-end approach to improve DFU detection by reducing noise and enhancing image quality before downstream analysis. Scientifically and clinically, it supports the feasibility of computer-vision models to enable earlier, more accurate DFU identification to reduce infection and amputation risk.
Vali M, Rajini NH, Laxmaiah M · Expert review of medical devices · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Cardiac Tumors & Masses (e.g., Fibroma, PFE, Myxoma)
Bilateral Renal Infarction as the Initial Manifestation of Left Atrial Myxoma During Early Pregnancy: A Case Report.
This case report studied a 25-year-old woman in early pregnancy who presented with bilateral renal infarction as the initial manifestation of left atrial myxoma. It found that non-contrast abdominal MRI demonstrated bilateral renal infarctions and subsequent transthoracic echocardiography identified a large, mobile, pedunculated left atrial mass, with CMR showing an atypical attachment to the Coumadin ridge. The clinical significance is that it highlights a rare but important pregnancy-associated embolic presentation where cardiac myxoma should be considered and multimodality imaging can rapidly establish diagnosis.
Min SD, Savjonoks S · Cureus · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Clinical Realities of Multimodal Imaging in Papillary Fibroelastoma in 385 Pathology-Proven Cases.
This retrospective multicenter study evaluated the diagnostic performance of computed tomography (CT) and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) versus transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) for detecting cardiac papillary fibroelastomas (PFE) in 385 pathology-proven cases. It found that multimodal imaging provided clinically useful lesion detection and characterization, and the study quantified how CT and CMR compared with TEE across a large real-world surgical cohort. The clinical significance is that it supports evidence-based selection of imaging modalities for PFE diagnosis when TEE is not feasible or as a complement to surgical-pathology confirmation.
Aboukhatwa O, Abbasi M, Botezatu S et al. · Mayo Clinic proceedings · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Growth of Cardiac Fibromas During Infancy.
This retrospective single-center study examined the natural history of cardiac fibromas in infants and children using serial cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) and/or cardiac computed tomography (CT) before and after surgery. Cardiac fibromas showed measurable growth over time rather than remaining stable, characterizing a previously under-described trajectory of tumor enlargement. Clinically, these data can inform surveillance intensity and timing of intervention for pediatric cardiac fibromas to reduce risks 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 ↗
Valvular Heart Disease & Valve-in-Valve/Interventions
Cardiac Imaging in Structural Valve Clinical Trials: Secondary Mitral Regurgitation.
This review summarized how cardiac imaging is used in structural valve clinical trials for secondary mitral regurgitation (SMR), focusing on transcatheter edge-to-edge repair and transcatheter mitral valve replacement. It delineated roles and trial-relevant imaging criteria for transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography, cardiac computed tomography, and cardiac magnetic resonance in patient selection, procedural guidance, and outcome assessment. The significance is that it standardizes understanding of which imaging endpoints and measurements are most important for SMR trial conduct and interpretation.
Chehab O, Capasso R, Delgado V et al. · Circulation. Cardiovascular imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
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 article examined hydrodynamic performance and migration stability of multiple valve-in-valve (ViV) configurations in a large-housing self-expanding pulmonary valve setting, using bench testing informed by a clinical example in a young woman with Noonan syndrome and severe lymphatic disorder. The key finding was that a 36–25 mm VenusP-valve ViV approach was feasible after prior implantation, with long-term follow-up showing only mild gradient increase and moderate regurgitation (CMR regurgitation fraction 30%) before repeat percutaneous ViV implantation. The significance is that bench and case data help define sizing and stability considerations for ViV pulmonary valve procedures in anatomically complex patients.
Góreczny S, Kenny D · Catheterization and cardiovascular interventions : official journal of the Society for Cardiac Angiography & Interventions · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Heart Failure & Cardiomyopathy Phenotyping (DCM/HCM/Restrictive)
Prevalence and determinants of asymmetric septal hypertrophy (ASH) in diseases of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH).
This study analyzed asymmetric septal hypertrophy (ASH) prevalence and determinants across conditions associated with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) using two datasets: a UK Biobank healthy cohort (n=4020) and a multi-cohort clinical CMR dataset (n=1655) including patients with hypertension, aortic stenosis, Fabry disease, and amyloid light-chain disease. Using CMR-derived septal-to-lateral wall thickness ratio modeling and adjusted comparisons, the study quantified how demographic factors and underlying diseases relate to the likelihood of ASH. The findings help clarify when ASH reflects physiologic or disease-specific remodeling, improving interpretation of CMR patterns relevant to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and other LVH etiologies.
Shiwani H, Augusto J, Topriceanu CC et al. · European heart journal. Cardiovascular Imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Endomyocardial fibrosis in adults: multimodality imaging phenotype and independent predictors of mortality.
This retrospective cohort study investigated endomyocardial fibrosis (EMF) in adults (≥18 years) using multimodality imaging (echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance when available) to define imaging phenotypes and predictors of all-cause mortality. The key finding was that specific clinical and imaging characteristics of EMF independently predicted mortality over long-term follow-up. The significance is that multimodality imaging can refine risk stratification in this rare restrictive cardiomyopathy and guide prognosis-focused management.
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 cortex thinning in 77 heart-transplant recipients (35 with cardiac allograft vasculopathy [CAV], 42 without) and 45 healthy controls using brain MRI and cardiac MRI. Patients with CAV showed significant cortical thinning in multiple regions (including bilateral superior frontal gyrus, left angular gyrus, and left supramarginal gyrus), and the cortical changes were linked to myocardial fibrosis and cognitive impairment. These findings suggest that CAV-related myocardial injury may have measurable neuroanatomical and cognitive correlates, providing a potential imaging pathway to understand systemic effects 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 ↗
Vascular changes in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
This review synthesized evidence on vascular changes in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), focusing on how (micro)vascular dysfunction and structural vascular remodeling relate to disease progression and outcomes. Across included human studies, multiple assessment modalities (for vascular function and structure) consistently linked vascular abnormalities with fibrosis development and clinical deterioration. Scientifically, it provides a framework for selecting imaging/physiologic techniques to better phenotype HCM patients and potentially target microvascular disease.
Visch JE, Nassar A, Burchell G et al. · Cardiovascular research · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Perioperative/Noncardiac/Population Health & Guidelines
Severe maternal morbidity in pregnancies complicated by maternal seizure disorder.
This retrospective cohort study used the US National Inpatient Sample (HCUP/AHRQ) from 2017–2021 to examine how maternal seizure disorder (identified by ICD-10 codes) affects severe maternal morbidity (SMM) and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy in delivery hospitalizations. Pregnancies complicated by seizure disorder were associated with higher rates of SMM and hypertensive disorders compared with pregnancies without seizure disorder (with the study also characterizing contemporary risk patterns). These findings support closer maternal surveillance and risk mitigation for hypertensive complications and overall morbidity in pregnant patients with seizure disorders.
Amin J, Lau B, Taylor BD et al. · Pregnancy (Hoboken, N.J.) · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Beyond Kt/V: Redefining Dialysis Adequacy as Targeted Cardiovascular Risk Reduction.
This narrative review evaluated dialysis adequacy beyond small-solute clearance (Kt/V) by examining strategies aimed at reducing cardiovascular risk in maintenance dialysis patients. The authors synthesize evidence from randomized trials and individual-patient-data meta-analyses on interventions targeting cardiovascular stressors such as cyclic volume loading, ultrafiltration-related myocardial stunning, electrolyte shifts, inflammation/anemia, middle-molecule toxicity, and loss of residual kidney function. The significance is that it reframes dialysis “adequacy” toward cardiovascular protection, informing future trial endpoints and clinical practice.
Zoccali C, Strippoli G, Locatelli F et al. · Nephrology, dialysis, transplantation : official publication of the European Dialysis and Transplant Association - European Renal Association · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
From Hippocrates to Biologics, The Evolving History of Pericarditis: A Review.
This review studied the historical evolution of pericarditis diagnosis and management from early clinical descriptions (Hippocrates) through later refinements by figures such as Laennec, Spodick, and Hatle. It found that management progressed from largely symptomatic and surgical approaches (including pericardiectomy for advanced constrictive disease) toward more precise diagnostic characterization and emerging therapeutic strategies. The historical synthesis is clinically significant because it contextualizes current pericarditis practice and highlights how evolving diagnostic concepts have shaped treatment decisions.
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 perioperative cardiovascular evaluation and management strategies for adult patients undergoing noncardiac surgery, based on a comprehensive evidence search (Aug 2022–Mar 2023) across MEDLINE/PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane, and other databases. It found that the 2026 AHA/ACC/ACS/ASNC/HRS/SCA/SCCT/SCMR/SVM recommendations provide structured, evidence-based guidance for clinicians to reduce perioperative cardiovascular risk. The scientific significance lies in standardizing care pathways for noncardiac surgery patients using contemporary evidence and multidisciplinary cardiovascular expertise.
Thompson A, Fleischmann KE, Smilowitz NR et al. · Circulation · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
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 use of stress cardiac MRI in ischemic heart disease. It found that despite 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), stress CMR is substantially underutilized, often accounting for less than 1% of ischemia testing in many settings. The clinical significance is that it identifies a translational barrier—implementation and access—that may limit patient benefit from a radiation-free, high-resolution diagnostic tool.
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 ↗ · 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 correlated with AD biomarker measures and with CSF-to-serum antibody index reflecting intrathecal anti-HSV immune activity, and HSV-1 infection modulated KLK6 expression in vitro. These results propose a functional link between HSV-1–related neuroinflammation and KLK6 in AD biology, potentially informing biomarker and mechanistic hypotheses.
Goldhardt O, Robles CM, Eberl M et al. · Alzheimer’s research & therapy · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Peripartum cardiomyopathy presenting as postpartum cardiogenic shock: a multimodality imaging approach.
This case studied peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) in a postpartum patient presenting with cardiogenic shock, focusing on how computed tomography and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) can exclude alternative etiologies. The report emphasizes that multimodality imaging can rapidly characterize acute heart failure in the peripartum setting and support timely PPCM diagnosis. The clinical significance is improved diagnostic speed and safety in a high-mortality postpartum presentation by using CT and CMR complementarily.
Pretelt ECG, Romanque P, Alegría Bobadilla J et al. · The international journal of cardiovascular imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Generated automatically on September 30, 2026. Covers PubMed articles published September 23, 2026 – September 30, 2026. Summaries are AI-generated; always consult the original publication for clinical or research decisions.