Integrating Echocardiographic and Other Imaging Biomarkers into Cardiometabolic and Endocrine Risk Assessment

Background: Cardiometabolic and endocrine diseases such as obesity, diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, and thyroid dysfunction intersect through complex physiological and molecular mechanisms that directly influence cardiac structure and function. Traditional risk assessment models, grounded primarily in clinical, anthropometric, and biochemical markers, frequently fail to identify early, subclinical myocardial dysfunction. Advances in echocardiography and other imaging modalities—such as strain imaging, myocardial work indices, cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), and computed tomography—now enable highly sensitive detection of subtle myocardial and vascular changes long before overt disease presentation.The integration of these imaging biomarkers into cardiometabolic and endocrine risk frameworks offers a transformative opportunity to enhance early diagnosis, improve prognostic stratification, and inform personalized therapeutic strategies. This Research Topic seeks to bridge cardiovascular imaging, metabolism, and endocrinology to translate imaging innovations into meaningful tools for precision prevention and targeted management of systemic disease.Areas of focus include, but are not limited to:-Advanced Echocardiographic Biomarkers: Exploration of strain, myocardial work indices, left atrial and right ventricular mechanics, and diastolic parameters in metabolic and endocrine disorders.-Multi-modality Imaging Integration: Leveraging echocardiography, CMR, CT, and molecular imaging to characterize subclinical myocardial remodeling and vascular pathology.-Cardiac Manifestations of Endocrine Diseases: Investigating structural and functional alterations associated with thyroid dysfunction, Cushing’s syndrome, PCOS, growth hormone disorders, or adrenal dysfunction.-Metabolic and Inflammatory Pathways: Linking imaging phenotypes with molecular mechanisms underlying insulin resistance, lipotoxicity, and altered hormonal signaling.-Precision Risk Modeling: Applying artificial intelligence, network analysis, and longitudinal imaging data to refine cardiometabolic and endocrine risk prediction.-Therapeutic Response and Monitoring: Using imaging to evaluate the impact of pharmacologic interventions, weight-loss strategies, and metabolic therapies on myocardial recovery and remodeling.-Future Perspectives: Identifying research gaps, standardizing imaging markers across endocrine and metabolic populations, and expanding precision-medicine applications.Overarching AimThe goal of this Research Topic is to integrate echocardiographic and multi-modal imaging biomarkers into cardiometabolic and endocrine disease evaluation to achieve a unified, precision-based approach to risk assessment, early intervention, and therapy optimization. By uniting imaging scientists, endocrinologists, cardiologists, and data specialists, this Topic aims to redefine predictive frameworks and enhance clinical translation for improved patient outcomes.AppendixWe welcome submissions of original research articles, clinical trials, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, case series, translational and mechanistic studies, perspectives, and methods papers. Topic editors: CRISTINA TUDORAN, Cristina Vacarescu, Robert W Maitta Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/81639/integrating-echocardiographic-and-other-imaging-biomarkers-into-cardiometabolic-and-endocrine-risk-assessment