Medscape: Spherical heart may predict heart disease
UC expert comments on new study
A new study found that increased heart sphericity was associated with an increased risk for cardiomyopathy (heart disease), heart failure and atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat.)
Richard Becker, MD, professor of medicine in the UC College of Medicine, was not involved in the study and provided analysis to Medscape.
"The main caveat is translating the information directly to patient care," Becker said. "Near-term yield could include using the spherical calculation in routine MRI of the heart, and based on the findings, following patients more closely if there is an abnormal shape. Or performing an MRI and targeted gene testing if there is a family history of cardiomyopathy or [of] an abnormal shape of the heart."
Becker added that it will be important to validate the findings in larger patient populations and evalute how they are affected by patient and environmental factors.
"The study was well done and may serve as a foundation for future research," Becker said. "The investigators used several powerful tools, including MRI, genomics, and [artificial intelligence] to draw their conclusions. This is precisely the way that 'big data' should be used — in a complementary fashion."
Read the Medscape article. (Note: Subscription or login may be needed to access full article.)
Related Stories
UC's art collection on display at the Contemporary Arts Center
January 5, 2026
University of Cincinnati leaders joined WVXU's Cincinnati Edition to talk about the university’s 200-year-old art collection, a new exhibition at the Contemporary Arts Center and the release of a companion book exploring the collection’s role in education and public engagement.
UC faculty and staff among Rising Star leadership honorees
January 5, 2026
Two UC faculty and staff members are among this year's Rising Star leadership program sponsored by YWCA Greater Cincinnati. Kelli Beecher, assistant professor in the UC College of Nursing, and Brittany Bibb, assistant director of programs and operations in the UC Division of Student Affairs, are among the emerging leaders of 2026. They were featured in the publication Movers & Makers.
What's behind the mysterious rise of migraines?
January 5, 2026
Weather patterns such as extreme heat and storm conditions have been linked to migraine attacks, and research shows those environmental conditions are becoming more common. As National Geographic recently reported, one of the leading theories behind this mysterious rise is that climate change may be playing a role.