Multiparametric cardiovascular magnetic resonance for differentiating cardiac masses: clinical impact from a case series
Garcia-Cardenas M.; Nieto-Dolores A.K.; Valenzuela-Sanchez J.I.; Valle-Rodriguez M.; Gonzalez-Trejo A.; Dominguez-Linares A.; Ruiz-Mori E.; Espinola-Zavaleta N. · European Heart Journal - Case Reports (2026) · DOI: 10.1093/ehjcr/ytag532
Resumen
Background: Cardiac masses represent a rare but clinically significant diagnostic entity. Morphological assessment alone is often insufficient for definitive diagnosis. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) provides comprehensive tissue characterization. Case summary: We present a case series illustrating the heterogeneous spectrum of cardiac masses encountered in both oncologic and non-oncologic patients. Clinical scenarios included intracardiac metastases, tumour-related thrombus, bland thrombi, and benign primary tumours, such as rhabdomyoma and myxoma. In all cases, CMR was pivotal for tissue characterization using multiparametric assessment. Discussion: This series highlights the limitations of morphology-based assessment and emphasizes the value of a structured multiparametric CMR approach. Key features, such as perfusion, enhancement pattern, tissue heterogeneity, and infiltrative behaviour, allow reliable differentiation between thrombi and neoplastic lesions. Beyond illustrating individual cases, this series proposes a structured multiparametric CMR algorithm applicable across diverse clinical scenarios, emphasizing its role in medical practice and diagnostic decision-making. © The Author(s) 2026. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits non-commercial re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. For commercial re-use, please contact reprints@oup.com for reprints and translation rights for reprints. All other permissions can be obtained through our RightsLink service via the Permissions link on the article page on our site—for further information please contact journals.permissions@oup.com.