What's New in Cardiac MRI? — October 11, 2026
AI-summarised digest of 50 PubMed articles on Cardiac MRI published in the last 7 days.
Jump to category
What’s New in Cardiac MRI?
October 11, 2026 · 50 articles · 15 research themes · covering October 04, 2026 – October 11, 2026
Overview
Across this week’s set of studies and reviews, a dominant theme is the push to make advanced cardiovascular MRI (CMR) metrics more clinically usable—especially myocardial strain and tissue characterization. Multiple articles emphasize that CMR-derived measures (strain, LGE/scar burden, T1/ECV quantification, and derived indices) can add incremental diagnostic and prognostic value, but that real-world adoption is constrained by variability in acquisition/analysis protocols and the need for robust normative reference ranges. Several works also tackle practical sources of inconsistency, from contrast delivery rates and breath-hold performance (including the role of anxiety/distress) to ROI-versus-contour approaches that affect T1 interpretation when focal scar is present.
A second major thread is risk stratification in cardiomyopathy and inflammatory disease using multimodality imaging. Ischemic and nonischemic myocardial injury patterns on CMR (including nonischemic LGE) and functional surrogates (e.g., RV–pulmonary artery coupling, LV–atrial coupling) are repeatedly linked to downstream outcomes such as heart failure progression, arrhythmia risk, and mortality. In parallel, several studies focus on myocarditis and immune-mediated cardiac injury—from latent CMV and pediatric myocarditis to lupus, Lyme carditis, Behçet’s disease unmasked by recurrent myocarditis, and checkpoint inhibitor myocarditis—highlighting how imaging can reveal inflammatory phenotypes that conventional presentation may miss.
Finally, the digest reflects growing integration of imaging with computation and longitudinal biology. AI and automation efforts range from protocol personalization for cine CMR to real-time CMR variability quantification and broader pediatric cardiac ICU predictive frameworks. In congenital heart disease, CMR-based biomarkers (e.g., spleen T1 for hepatic congestion) and the fetal heart–brain axis suggest that cardiovascular risk may begin prenatally, while mechanistic and translational work (e.g., severity-dependent RV molecular changes, GLP-1RA effects in HFpEF models) points toward more targeted therapies informed by imaging-defined phenotypes.
CMR myocardial strain and functional imaging standardization
Cardiovascular magnetic resonance derived myocardial strain: applications, acquisition techniques, analysis, and reporting. A Scientific Statement of the Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance, Radiological Society of North America, and the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging of the ESC.
This 2026 scientific statement synthesized evidence on cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) derived myocardial strain, covering clinical applications, acquisition techniques, analysis, and reporting standards. The key message was that CMR strain provides incremental diagnostic and prognostic value but clinical adoption is limited by protocol/analysis variability, noise sensitivity, and insufficient robust normative reference ranges. Standardized guidance for strain acquisition and reporting is intended to improve reproducibility and enable broader clinical implementation.
Gulsin GS, Ambale-Venkatesh B, Axel L et al. · Journal of cardiovascular magnetic resonance : official journal of the Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Cardiovascular magnetic resonance derived myocardial strain: applications, acquisition techniques, analysis, and reporting.
This review studied cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR)–derived myocardial strain imaging and its use across patient populations and clinical disease states. It found that CMR strain has incremental diagnostic and prognostic value beyond conventional imaging parameters, but routine adoption is limited by lack of standardized acquisition/analysis protocols and insufficient robust normative reference ranges. Standardizing CMR strain techniques and establishing normative datasets could improve clinical reliability for risk stratification in cardiovascular disease.
Gulsin GS, Ambale-Venkatesh B, Axel L et al. · European heart journal. Cardiovascular Imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Regional strain patterns in patients with mitral valve prolapse.
This study examined regional myocardial strain patterns in 132 patients with mitral valve prolapse (MVP) compared with 50 controls using cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) feature tracking (FT) strain analysis. Using CMR-FT on 1.5-T and 3-T scanners, it quantified MVP-associated regional contraction differences relative to controls. The findings support CMR-FT strain as a noninvasive method to characterize regional dysfunction in MVP, potentially improving assessment beyond echocardiography.
Li JJ, Ching S, Aigner A et al. · Clinical research in cardiology : official journal of the German Cardiac Society · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
CMR tissue characterization (LGE/T1 mapping/ECV) and scar quantification
A Visual LGE Extent Cutoff for Mortality Risk Stratification in Ischemic Cardiomyopathy.
This bicentric retrospective French cohort studied late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) extent on cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) in 3,591 patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy (prior myocardial infarction and/or coronary revascularization) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <50%. The study aimed to identify an optimal semi-quantitative ischemic-LGE segments cutoff that stratifies mortality risk, using CMR scans performed between 2008 and 2022. Establishing a practical LGE extent threshold could improve prognostic risk stratification and guide clinical decision-making in HFrEF patients with ischemic scar.
Unger A, Garot J, Duhamel S et al. · Journal of cardiovascular magnetic resonance : official journal of the Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Comparison of Septal Region-of-Interest and Whole-Myocardium Contouring Methods for Myocardial T1 Measurement in Metabolic Syndrome.
This experimental CMR T1-mapping study compared a septal region-of-interest (ROI) approach that avoids focal LGE lesions versus conventional whole-myocardium contouring in patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS). The key finding was how myocardial T1 values differ between ROI-based and whole-contour methods when LGE scar is present, and which approach better predicts outcomes (as assessed in the study). The work informs standardized T1 quantification strategies in MetS when focal LGE is present, improving interpretability of diffuse remodeling measurements.
Zhao Y, Yang H, Zhang M et al. · Journal of visualized experiments : JoVE · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Diagnostic performance of shuttle-mode myocardial CT late enhancement: Comparison with late gadolinium enhancement cardiovascular MR.
This prospective multicenter study evaluated shuttle-mode dual-source cardiac CT myocardial late enhancement (CT-LE) against late gadolinium enhancement cardiovascular MRI (LGE-CMR) for detecting myocardial infarction (MI) and estimating transmural extent. In 56 patients with suspected or known coronary artery disease who underwent both CT-LE and LGE-CMR, CT-LE diagnostic performance was benchmarked using LGE-CMR as the reference standard. The work supports (or refines) the clinical utility of shuttle-mode CT-LE as a CT-based alternative for MI detection and transmural characterization.
Kokawa T, Nakamura S, Nakamori S et al. · Journal of cardiovascular computed tomography · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Pericardial Hemangioma: An 8-Year Diagnostic Odyssey of Recurrent Pleural Effusion.
This case report studied a 54-year-old woman with an 8-year history of recurrent pleural/pericardial effusions initially misattributed to amyloidosis. Cardiac MRI identified a transverse pericardial sinus mass with characteristic T2 hyperintensity and centripetal enhancement, and histology confirmed pericardial hemangioma after surgical excision. The case underscores the diagnostic value of CMR for rare pericardial tumors and the importance of avoiding prolonged misdiagnosis.
Castillo M, Ibáñez A, Cuevas O et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Giant Thrombosed Coronary Aneurysm Causing Recurrent Ischemic Events: Insights From Multimodality Imaging and Surgical Management.
This case report studied a 56-year-old man with giant thrombosed coronary aneurysms presenting with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction and later recurrent ischemic events. Multimodality imaging (including cardiac MRI) showed preserved left ventricular ejection fraction with inferior wall akinesia and transmural infarction, and percutaneous revascularization failed due to complex aneurysmal anatomy. The report highlights how multimodality imaging can guide surgical management decisions in patients with giant coronary aneurysms causing recurrent ischemia.
di Mario R, Esposito A, Bernardi M et al. · JACC. Case reports · (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 JAMA/JAHA study analyzed 948 patients with prior myocardial infarction on cardiac MRI to characterize nonischemic late gadolinium enhancement (NI-LGE; midwall or subepicardial patterns) and its prognostic value for heart failure outcomes. NI-LGE was present in 8.2% and was associated with adverse remodeling and improved risk stratification for subsequent heart failure events using competing-risk methods. Clinically, NI-LGE on post-MI CMR can refine prognosis beyond infarct-only assessment and identify patients at higher risk for HF progression.
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 data from the Jackson Heart Study (Black adults, 2008–2012), this analysis assessed how glycemic status and related markers relate to LV remodeling measured by cardiac MRI. The key finding was that worse glycemic status was associated with measurable LV structural and functional remodeling, including differences in LV volumes, ejection fraction, and strain-based indices. This supports cardiac MRI as a tool for detecting subclinical myocardial dysfunction linked to 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 ↗
Real-World Comparison of Cardiac MRI and Nuclear Perfusion Imaging for Myocardial Scar Detection.
This retrospective single-center real-world comparison included patients who underwent contrast CMR and nuclear myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) within 1 year, using CMR late gadolinium enhancement (CMR-LGE) as the reference for myocardial scar and comparing against fixed perfusion defects (FPD) on SPECT (with and without CT attenuation correction) and 82-rubidium PET. The key finding was the degree of concordance between CMR-LGE-defined scar and nuclear MPI-defined FPD varied by modality/attenuation correction approach. Clinically, the results inform how reliably nuclear MPI can substitute for or complement CMR-LGE when assessing myocardial scar burden.
Csecs I, Kyriakoulis I, Ahmed AI et al. · JACC. Advances · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
CMR perfusion and contrast delivery optimization
MRI-specific anxiety, patient experience, beta-blocker therapy, and image quality during cardiac magnetic resonance imaging.
This mixed-methods study evaluated how MRI-specific anxiety, state anxiety, and perceived distress affect breath-hold performance and image quality during cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) in 53 early post-infarction patients, and whether effects differed by prior MRI experience, sex, or beta-blocker therapy. The key finding was the relationship between emotional state/distress measures and CMR breath-hold effort/duration and resulting image quality, with modulation by factors including beta-blocker therapy. These results support incorporating anxiety/distress assessment and management to improve CMR data quality and patient experience, particularly in post-infarction populations.
Wahlström S, Rosendahl L, Lundvall LL et al. · Radiography (London, England : 1995) · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
The Effect of Different Gadolinium Delivery Rates on Objective and Subjective Image Quality in Cardiac Perfusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging.
This retrospective study investigated how different gadolinium delivery rates affect objective and subjective image quality in stress perfusion cardiac magnetic resonance (MRI) in 90 patients with suspected ischemic heart disease. It found that GBCA injection rate meaningfully influenced perfusion image quality metrics, with differences detectable both objectively and by reader assessment. The results are clinically significant because optimizing gadolinium delivery could improve diagnostic accuracy and consistency of stress perfusion CMR.
Mihl C, Pernot JC, Winkens B et al. · Investigative radiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
CMR hemodynamics and ventricular coupling metrics
Age-specific reference values for pulse wave velocity in paediatric populations: a systematic review with meta-analysis.
This systematic review and meta-analysis compiled observational studies to generate age-specific reference values for pulse wave velocity (PWV) in healthy pediatric populations. The key finding was pooled, age-stratified PWV estimates (with sex-stratified analyses where available) showing how arterial stiffness markers vary with age in children. These reference values can improve interpretation of PWV in pediatric vascular aging and cardiovascular risk research.
Martínez-Cifuentes Ó, Nilsson PM, Saz-Lara A et al. · Journal of hypertension · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Uncovering right ventricular impairment in severe TR: Insights from novel volumetric indices.
This multicentre study evaluated CMR-derived right ventricular (RV) volumetric indices in 289 patients with severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR), comparing novel measures to conventional RV ejection fraction (RVEF). It found that a volumetric surrogate of RV–pulmonary artery (PA) coupling (Vol RV-PA Coupling Index) and effective RVEF (accounting for regurgitant volume) better reflect RV impairment and have prognostic value compared with conventional RVEF. These indices are clinically significant because they may improve risk stratification and management decisions in severe TR where RVEF can overestimate function.
Hinojar R, Fernández-Golfín C, Palomares JR et al. · International journal of cardiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
A framework for increasing scanner efficiency: the utility of a ‘Short aorta’ protocol to increase cardiac MRI capacity at the Yorkshire Heart Centre.
This service-development study at the Yorkshire Heart Centre evaluated a “Short aorta” cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) protocol that limited imaging to the thoracic aorta to increase scanner efficiency. The key finding was that the shortened protocol reduced scanning and reporting time compared with the full aorta protocol that also assessed the aortic valve and left ventricle. This improves CMR capacity and throughput without expanding indications beyond thoracic aorta assessment.
Procter H, Tan JH, Cash L et al. · European heart journal. Imaging methods and practice · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Association of F11 Gene Variants With Cardiovascular Events and Cardiac Function.
This UK Biobank study (408,642 European-ancestry participants) tested whether genetic proxies for FXI inhibition—constructed from F11-based genetic scores weighted by associations with activated partial thromboplastin time or circulating factor XI levels—relate to cardiovascular events and cardiac function. The key finding was that genetically lower FXI activity was associated with altered risks of heart failure and atrial fibrillation and with corresponding differences in cardiac function measures. The results provide human genetic evidence relevant to the safety and cardiovascular effects of FXI-targeted antithrombotic strategies.
Ye Q, Hu S, Yang R et al. · Journal of the American Heart Association · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
CMR in cardiomyopathies and genetic/arrhythmia phenotyping
Ventricular Fibrillation in PRKAG2 Cardiomyopathy: A Genetic Arrhythmia Substrate Beyond Wolff-Parkinson-White.
This JACC Case Reports article describes a 25-year-old woman with genetically confirmed PRKAG2 cardiomyopathy who presented with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. CMR showed anterolateral trabecular hypertrophy without myocardial fibrosis, and electrophysiological evaluation excluded Wolff–Parkinson–White syndrome, highlighting a ventricular fibrillation substrate beyond classic pre-excitation. The case emphasizes that PRKAG2-related arrhythmia risk may extend beyond WPW physiology, informing genetic cardiomyopathy risk assessment and management.
Visch J, Hopman LHGA, Holtus D et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Mitral Papillary Muscle Papillary Fibroelastoma in Obstructive Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: A Surgically Treated Embolic Source.
This case report studied a 71-year-old woman with obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and prior unilateral retinal artery occlusion (RAO) who was being evaluated for mavacamten therapy. Transthoracic echocardiography incidentally identified a mitral chordal mass suspicious for papillary fibroelastoma, and she underwent septal myectomy plus mass excision after concern for embolic risk. Histopathology confirmed papillary fibroelastoma, supporting surgical removal of an embolic source in obstructive HCM patients with prior systemic embolization.
Rashidi N, Montazeri M, Cao C et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Adverse Remodeling and Fibrosis Predict Outcomes in Excessive Trabeculation of the Left Ventricle: A Multiparametric CMR Risk Score.
This international retrospective study of 589 patients with excessive left ventricular trabeculation (ETLV) across 17 centers used core-laboratory cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) to build and validate a multiparametric CMR risk score for major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). The key finding was that CMR-derived trabeculation metrics, together with adverse remodeling/fibrosis features, predicted MACE and provided incremental prognostic value beyond baseline clinical assessment. Clinically, this enables risk stratification of ETLV patients using CMR to identify those at higher risk for heart failure, ventricular arrhythmia, systemic embolism, or death.
Casas G, Rodenas-Alesina E, Limeres J et al. · JACC. Cardiovascular imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Cardiac amyloidosis imaging and subtype differentiation
Myocardial work in light-chain and transthyretin-related amyloidosis with preserved ejection fraction: a cardiovascular magnetic resonance study.
This prospective CMR study investigated pressure–volume loop (PV-loop) changes derived from cine imaging and brachial blood pressure in 100 confirmed cardiac amyloidosis patients with preserved LVEF (86 AL-CA and 14 ATTR-CA) versus 40 matched healthy controls. The key finding was that PV-loop parameters differ between amyloidosis subtypes (ATTR-CA vs AL-CA) and controls, supporting PV-loop metrics as potential subtype differential diagnostic markers. This could improve noninvasive CMR-based phenotyping of amyloid cardiomyopathy in patients with preserved ejection fraction.
Liang S, Chen J, Deng Q et al. · Insights into imaging · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Cardiac amyloidosis: what every interventional cardiologist should know.
This review studied clinical recognition of cardiac amyloidosis (CA) for interventional cardiologists across common presentation pathways. It found that CA should be suspected when there is diagnostic discordance—where coronary, valvular, or hemodynamic abnormalities do not fully explain symptoms, myocardial phenotype, low-flow physiology, or persistent high-sensitivity troponin elevation. The review is significant because earlier suspicion can prompt appropriate diagnostic workup and management in patients undergoing interventional evaluation.
Izumiya Y, Kuyama N, Hirakawa K et al. · Cardiovascular intervention and therapeutics · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Myocardial blood flow changes assessed by dynamic CZT-SPECT in patients with transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy treated with Tafamidis: Correlation With [99mTc]-PYP Scintigraphy and CMR.
This study enrolled 33 participants (19 with transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy [ATTR-CM] and 14 without obstructive coronary artery disease) and used dynamic thallium-201 cadmium-zinc-telluride (²⁰¹Tl CZT-SPECT) to quantify myocardial blood flow (MBF) and myocardial flow reserve (MFR), correlating findings with extracellular volume (ECV), biomarkers, and [99mTc]-PYP scintigraphy and CMR. The key finding was that dynamic CZT-SPECT detected microvascular dysfunction in ATTR-CM and that post-tafamidis flow changes were associated with disease markers. This supports dynamic CZT-SPECT as a functional imaging tool to characterize and potentially monitor therapeutic effects of tafamidis on microvascular impairment in ATTR-CM.
Ko KY, Ko CL, Su MY et al. · The British journal of radiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Cardiac immune/inflammatory mechanisms and myocarditis
Cytomegalovirus Latency Fuels Inflammation Following Myocardial Infarction.
This experimental study investigated how latent murine cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection affects cardiac immune cell dynamics at baseline and after myocardial infarction (MI) repair in C57BL/6J mice. It found that latent CMV promotes post-MI inflammatory responses characterized by altered immune cell behavior, supported by spectral flow cytometry and bulk/single-cell RNA sequencing with T-cell receptor (TCR) sequencing. These findings suggest latent CMV may worsen cardiac remodeling after MI via immune mechanisms, informing future anti-viral or immunomodulatory strategies.
Dapergola E, Šustić M, Ashour D et al. · Circulation research · (2026) · 1 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Coronary Vasculitis and Myocarditis in Acute Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Flares With Macrophage Activating Syndrome.
This case report studied two patients with acute systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) flares complicated by macrophage activating syndrome, focusing on coronary vasculitis and myocarditis. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) demonstrated lupus myopericarditis patterns (subepicardial late gadolinium enhancement and pericardial enhancement) alongside vascular-appearing myocardial injury (transmural and subendocardial involvement). The report highlights CMR’s clinical significance for detecting atypical inflammatory and vascular myocardial injury in severe SLE flares.
Qamar S, Luo M, Ijaz N et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Pediatric acute myocarditis: current evidence and practical recommendations.
This narrative review studied pediatric acute myocarditis in children and adolescents, synthesizing evidence from large pediatric cohorts and contemporary guidelines to address diagnosis, risk stratification, and treatment. It found that pediatric acute myocarditis shows male predominance and a bimodal age distribution, with an estimated ~5.9% risk of early mortality and frequent diagnostic difficulty due to non-specific initial presentations and overlap with dilated cardiomyopathy. The review emphasizes early recognition and structured risk-based management to prevent fulminant deterioration.
Mori S, Veronese G, Bonanomi E et al. · Trends in cardiovascular medicine · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Trends in Premature Mortality Due to Alcoholic Cardiomyopathy Among Working Adults Aged 25-64 Years in the United States, 1999-2024: A CDC Wide-Ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research (WONDER) Analysis.
This CDC WONDER analysis studied trends in premature mortality from alcoholic cardiomyopathy (ICD-10 I42.6) among US working-age adults aged 25–64 years from 1999–2024, including changes during the COVID-19 period. The study found national temporal patterns in ACM-related premature deaths across the full period, with identifiable shifts during the pandemic years. These findings quantify the burden of alcohol-related cardiomyopathy in the working population and can inform targeted prevention and public health planning.
Singh S, Prajapathi S, Yadaw M et al. · Cureus · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Lyme Carditis Beyond Atrioventricular Block: Cardiac Arrest and Transient Atrial Fibrillation With Preserved Atrioventricular Conduction.
This case report described a previously healthy man with Lyme disease presenting with seizure-like activity, aborted cardiac arrest, transient atrial fibrillation, and cardiac MRI features of acute myocarditis while maintaining preserved atrioventricular (AV) conduction. Serologic testing confirmed Lyme carditis, and the patient recovered completely after oral doxycycline. The report highlights that electrical instability (e.g., atrial fibrillation and arrest) can occur even when PR intervals/AV conduction are preserved, supporting early recognition and treatment of Lyme carditis.
Anthony JA, Doktor K · Case reports in cardiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Inflammatory burden and oedema provide complementary information on subsequent pericardial tethering in tuberculous pericarditis: a longitudinal segment-level CMR study.
This longitudinal segment-level CMR study followed participants with tuberculous pericarditis using baseline and 6-month cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) to test whether inflammatory burden and edema predict later pericardial tethering/constriction. The key finding was that inflammatory burden and edema provided complementary information, and segments without edema were more likely to show subsequent pericardial tethering at follow-up than edema-containing segments. Scientifically, this refines interpretation of CMR in TB pericarditis by linking tissue-level inflammation/edema to later mechanical remodeling, potentially improving prognostication and treatment monitoring.
Giliomee LJ, Doubell AF, Maposa I et al. · Open heart · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Hypereosinophilia With Organ Damage Secondary to Dupilumab Therapy: A Case Report and Literature Review.
This case report and literature review described a 22-year-old man with atopic dermatitis and asthma who developed hypereosinophilia with organ damage after starting dupilumab 300 mg every 2 weeks. The key finding was that dupilumab therapy was temporally associated with clinically significant eosinophilia and organ involvement, consistent with a rare adverse remodeling of immune signaling through IL-4/IL-13 blockade. Clinically, it underscores the need for monitoring eosinophil counts and organ symptoms in patients receiving dupilumab, especially when systemic manifestations emerge.
Alotaibi M, AlHelal S, Alotaibi N et al. · Case reports in dermatological medicine · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Recurrent myocarditis masquerading as acute myocardial infarction: unmasking Behçet’s disease.
This case report described a 27-year-old man with recurrent chest pain, transient ST-segment elevations, and markedly elevated high-sensitivity troponin-T in whom coronary angiography repeatedly showed no obstructive disease. The key finding was that serial cardiac magnetic resonance and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose PET demonstrated migratory myocardial inflammation consistent with recurrent myocarditis, which—together with oral ulcers, folliculitis, arthralgias, and pathergy-like reactions—unmasked Behçet’s disease. The report is clinically important because it highlights how myocarditis can mimic acute myocardial infarction and how multimodality imaging can redirect diagnosis toward systemic inflammatory disease.
Atta M, Alqatati F, Alkhanafsa M et al. · Oxford medical case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Cardio-oncology risk stratification and treatment-related injury
Toward Precision Cardio-Oncology: Integrating Biomarkers and Cardiac Imaging for Cardiovascular Risk Assessment in Patients With Cancer.
This narrative review addressed how to integrate biomarkers and multimodality cardiac imaging to refine cardiovascular risk assessment in patients with cancer across the pre-, during-, and post-treatment periods. The key finding was that high-sensitivity cardiac troponins and natriuretic peptides, combined with imaging (e.g., echocardiography measures such as global longitudinal strain), can better capture treatment-related myocardial injury and hemodynamic stress than conventional risk scores alone. This supports a precision cardio-oncology framework to identify patients at higher risk of cardiotoxicity and adverse cardiovascular outcomes.
Sabouret A, Giamundo DM, Mamas M et al. · Oncology research and treatment · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Complex cardiac overlap: immune checkpoint inhibitor myocarditis in hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy with subsequent NSTEMI.
This case report described a 58-year-old man with advanced oropharyngeal cancer treated with pembrolizumab (an immune checkpoint inhibitor) who developed immune checkpoint inhibitor myocarditis superimposed on hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM), followed by NSTEMI. After initial response to high-dose corticosteroids, relapse occurred due to non-adherence, prompting re-treatment and addition of mycophenolate mofetil, with subsequent recovery before later NSTEMI. The case underscores diagnostic and management complexity when ICI myocarditis occurs in patients with pre-existing structural cardiomyopathy.
Basuoni A, Makhlouf M, Dawelbeit W et al. · Cardio-oncology (London, England) · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Cardiac sarcoidosis imaging and risk phenotyping (FDG PET)
PET in Cardiac Sarcoidosis.
This narrative review studied the diagnostic and prognostic role of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) PET in patients with extracardiac sarcoidosis and suspected cardiac involvement or suspected isolated cardiac sarcoidosis. It found that rigorous patient preparation suppresses physiologic myocardial uptake and that PET interpretation integrated with myocardial perfusion imaging distinguishes inflammation without fibrosis (abnormal uptake with normal perfusion), inflammation with fibrosis (abnormal uptake with perfusion defect), and fibrosis alone (perfusion defect without uptake), with abnormal uptake—especially with perfusion defects—predicting major adverse cardiac events including death and ventricular arrhythmias. The review supports PET-based phenotyping to guide risk stratification and longitudinal monitoring in cardiac sarcoidosis.
Patel CD, Tilak A, Shiva C · PET clinics · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Pulmonary hypertension imaging biomarkers and RV surrogates
Robust Approach to Measure Time-Resolved Septal Curvature in Pediatric Pulmonary Hypertension Patients Using Standard Short-Axis Ventricular Volume Contours: A Retrospective, Cross-Sectional Study.
This retrospective cross-sectional study developed and tested a robust, contour-based method to measure time-resolved septal curvature (SC) in pediatric pulmonary hypertension patients using standard short-axis ventricular volume contours. It found that the automated/robust SC computation reduced observer dependence and showed acceptable interobserver variability and performance compared with manual septal measurements, which are typically interactive. The technique is significant as a noninvasive, reproducible CMR surrogate for monitoring pediatric pulmonary hypertension severity without relying on right heart catheterization.
Fujiwara T, Lu VI, Frank BS et al. · Journal of cardiovascular magnetic resonance : official journal of the Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Multimodality Molecular Profiling Nominates Targetable Mechanisms in Progressive RV Dysfunction.
This experimental study investigated whether right ventricular (RV) dysfunction severity corresponds to distinct cellular and molecular alterations by performing multimodality molecular profiling in pulmonary artery banded pigs stratified by RV ejection fraction (mild RVD vs severe RVD). The key finding was that progressive RV dysfunction was associated with targetable, severity-dependent molecular mechanisms identified through multiomic analyses of RV tissue. These results provide mechanistic leads for developing therapies tailored to the degree of RV compromise.
Blake MJ, Mendelson JB, Sternbach JD et al. · Circulation research · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Heart failure risk, device timing, and LVEF recovery
Left ventricular ejection fraction recovery under contemporary quadruple guideline-directed therapy and the need for ICD/CRT-D implantation in HFrEF: a retrospective single-center cohort study.
This retrospective single-center cohort study examined left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) recovery and subsequent need for implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) or CRT-D implantation in 65 patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) treated with contemporary quadruple guideline-directed medical therapy. The key finding was the real-world rate of LVEF improvement under beta-blocker, angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist, and SGLT2 inhibitor therapy and how often patients still met criteria for ICD/CRT-D despite reassessment after ≥3 months. These data help refine risk management and device-implant timing in modern HFrEF care where many patients may recover LVEF.
Ajmi I, Frings MP, Forkmann M et al. · Expert review of cardiovascular therapy · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Semaglutide, independent of weight loss, attenuates cardiac and hepatic remodelling in experimental heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.
This preclinical study tested semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, in two cardiometabolic HFpEF models—male ZSF1 obese rats and Göttingen HFpEF minipigs—designed to evaluate effects independent of weight loss. The key finding was that semaglutide attenuated cardiac and hepatic remodeling in both models even when benefits were not attributable solely to weight loss. Scientifically, it strengthens the rationale for GLP-1RA mechanisms beyond weight reduction in HFpEF and supports further translational work toward weight-loss-independent therapeutic pathways.
Elbatreek MH, Li Z, Yu X et al. · European heart journal · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
HFpEF diagnosis using multimodal imaging/hemodynamics (including coupling indices)
Noninvasive Diagnosis of Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction Using the Left Atrioventricular Coupling Index.
This retrospective multicenter study compared three imaging approaches for calculating the left atrioventricular coupling index (LACI) and evaluated its diagnostic performance for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) against right heart catheterization. In 1,680 patients from two academic centers/registries, LACI-based assessment showed diagnostic utility for HFpEF and helped identify patients with LV diastolic dysfunction physiology. This offers a noninvasive alternative to invasive hemodynamic testing for HFpEF diagnosis.
Janssen-Telders C, Ābele J, Meijboom LJ et al. · Journal of the American Heart Association · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Congenital heart disease (CHD) imaging and long-term outcomes
Native Spleen T1 Mapping for the Assessment of Hepatic Congestion in Children With Congenital Heart Disease.
This prospective clinical study assessed whether native spleen T1 relaxation time (ST1) on CMR can detect hepatic congestion in children with congenital heart disease (CHD), including 50 children with Fontan circulation. ST1 was evaluated for associations with hemodynamic parameters from cardiac catheterization and biomarkers of liver injury, alongside comparisons across CHD surgical subtypes. If validated, ST1 could provide a noninvasive CMR biomarker to monitor portal-hypertensive/hepatic congestion risk in pediatric CHD, especially in Fontan patients.
Tao K, Yamamura K, Sato M et al. · Circulation reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Giant Aneurysm of a Classic Blalock-Taussig Shunt in Adult Tetralogy of Fallot.
This case report studied a 47-year-old woman with tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) palliated in childhood who developed a giant aneurysmal degeneration of a classic right Blalock–Taussig (BT) shunt. Imaging with echocardiography, CT, and cardiac MRI confirmed a 72×66 mm true aneurysm of the right BT shunt causing severe right ventricular outflow tract obstruction and a large ventricular septal defect. Surgical aneurysm excision with ventricular septal defect closure and right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction highlights the life-threatening late complication of BT shunts and the role of multimodality imaging for operative planning.
Borjian S, Hosseinsabet A, Aslfallah S et al. · JACC. Case reports · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
When the Right and Left Coronary Arteries Join: A Case Report of Intercoronary Communication and Literature Review.
This case report studied a 41-year-old woman with intercoronary communication—an abnormal continuity between the distal right coronary artery and distal left circumflex artery—presenting with dyspnea and elevated D-dimer and NT-proBNP. Coronary angiography confirmed the intercoronary connection despite no obstructive coronary artery disease, alongside echocardiographic apical akinesia and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (45%). The report emphasizes the need to recognize rare congenital coronary anomalies during evaluation of cardiopulmonary symptoms and abnormal cardiac function.
Ettagmouti Y, Bejar A, Mounssif A et al. · Case reports in cardiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Central aortic pressure and LV remodeling after surgical versus transcatheter repair of coarctation of aorta: Prospective data from the MACHD-biobank.
This prospective MACHD-biobank analysis compared central aortic pressure, arterial function, left ventricular (LV) remodeling, and cardiovascular biomarkers in adults with repaired coarctation of the aorta (COA) undergoing surgical repair versus transcatheter repair. The study found differences in central hemodynamics and LV remodeling indices between the COA surgical repair (COA_SR) and transcatheter repair (COA_TR) groups. These results support evidence-based selection and follow-up strategies by linking repair modality to downstream cardiovascular remodeling.
Egbe AC, Miranda WR, Connolly HM et al. · International journal of cardiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Successful staged anatomic repair for congenitally corrected transposition with both atrioventricular valves’ regurgitation: a case report.
This case report described a 4-year-old boy with congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries, dextrocardia, pulmonary valve stenosis, ventricular septal defect, and mitral and tricuspid valve regurgitation. The key finding was that a staged anatomic repair strategy—systemic-to-pulmonary shunt placement plus mitral valve repair at age 2 to improve oxygenation and promote right ventricular growth—enabled later successful completion of anatomic repair. The report highlights a practical surgical pathway for children with inadequate right ventricular volume and significant atrioventricular valve regurgitation to reduce operative risk and improve outcomes.
Fuchigami Y, Toda K, Hirano A et al. · General thoracic and cardiovascular surgery cases · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Neurodevelopment and fetal heart–brain axis in CHD
The fetal heart-brain axis as a new frontier for long-term outcomes in children with congenital heart disease.
This review studied the fetal heart–brain axis and how fetal cardiovascular abnormalities in congenital heart disease (CHD) may influence long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes. It found that brain development alterations related to CHD may begin before birth, supported by fetal MRI/CMR, Doppler hemodynamics, and placental studies rather than being solely postnatal effects of surgery or intensive care. The concept is significant because it reframes CHD neurodevelopmental risk as potentially prenatal, motivating earlier identification and longitudinal intervention strategies.
Hou S, Wang J, Mao B et al. · Early human development · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
AI/automation for cardiac imaging and physiologic intelligence
From Sudden Cardiac Death Prevention to Performance Optimization: A Conceptual Framework for Cardiovascular Assessment in Elite Athletes.
This conceptual framework article studied how to integrate cardiovascular assessment for sudden cardiac death prevention with performance optimization in elite athletes. It found that current recommendations centered on history, physical exam, and resting 12-lead ECG can be expanded by incorporating structural, electrical, and functional testing guided by sports cardiology and exercise physiology. The proposed framework is significant because it may enable more hypothesis-generating, individualized screening that links cardiovascular risk with athletic performance.
Torun A · Anatolian journal of cardiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Artificial intelligence in paediatric cardiac critical care: from predictive analytics to continuous physiologic intelligence.
This narrative review studied the landscape of artificial intelligence (AI) in pediatric cardiac critical care, including predictive analytics and continuous physiologic intelligence. It found that AI approaches—spanning cardiac imaging, electrocardiography, waveform intelligence, and postoperative outcome prediction—are increasingly applied to complex datasets from congenital heart disease (CHD) and ICU monitoring. The review is significant because it consolidates evidence to guide future development and deployment of AI tools that can improve monitoring and prediction in pediatric cardiac ICU settings.
Savorgnan F, Pilla P, Loomba R et al. · Cardiology in the young · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Heart rate fragmentation and variability from real-time cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging using TREND-CMR software.
This study developed TREND-CMR software to quantify temporal variability in real-time cardiovascular magnetic resonance (rtCMR) and adapted heart rate fragmentation (HRF) metrics for irregular cardiac cycles. Using principal component analysis of rtCMR-derived temporal parameters, the authors showed concordance with ECG and left ventricular blood-pool segmentation and produced visual outputs capturing aberrant beats. The approach provides a quantitative framework to interpret rtCMR variability and may enable electrophysiology-relevant phenotyping from imaging.
Luan Z, Thornburgh C, Xu J et al. · American journal of physiology. Heart and circulatory physiology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗
Usability of an independent arm modular robotic system in abdominal wall surgery: supraumbilical midline closure.
This preclinical in vitro study evaluated the Versius Surgical System® (CMR Surgical) for supraumbilical midline abdominal wall closure using a synthetic latex abdominal wall model in a laboratory setting. The key finding was that the robotic system could be positioned and configured in the operating room to perform the intended closure workflow within the constraints of the model. This supports feasibility of the Versius modular robotic platform for abdominal wall surgery, informing future translational studies toward clinical hernia repair.
Siles BM, Abdalla RZ, Ribeiro Junior U · Arquivos brasileiros de cirurgia digestiva : ABCD = Brazilian archives of digestive surgery · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Personalized Cine Cardiac MRI Protocol Optimization Using a Retrieval-Augmented Large Language Model: A Prospective Comparison With Technologist-Optimized Protocol.
This prospective intra-individual comparative study enrolled 68 patients undergoing clinical cine cardiac MRI and tested a retrieval-augmented large language model (LLM-RAG) AI framework to personalize cine MRI protocol parameters versus technologist-optimized protocols. The key finding was that the AI-personalized protocols were equivalent or noninferior to technologist-optimized protocols in achieving clinically acceptable cine imaging performance despite patient-specific constraints such as arrhythmia or limited breath-hold. Scientifically, it demonstrates a practical workflow for AI-driven, patient-adaptive MRI protocol optimization that could improve robustness and efficiency in routine cardiac MRI.
Dehghani S, Farashahi A, Hammood IR · Journal of magnetic resonance imaging : JMRI · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗
Generated automatically on October 11, 2026. Covers PubMed articles published October 04, 2026 – October 11, 2026. Summaries are AI-generated; always consult the original publication for clinical or research decisions.