Dear Colleagues from the Atherosclerosis and Vascular Biology ESC Working Group,

We hope you have had a wonderful start into 2026! As we begin another year full of opportunities for scientific exchange and progress, we wish you success in all your professional and personal endeavors.

We are delighted to continue strengthening our community and to enhance engagement through our X/Twitter page (@ESCWGAVBChair) and LinkedIn group (#AtheroMatters). These channels remain key platforms for sharing updates, promoting scientific discussion, and highlighting your achievements within the field of atherosclerosis and vascular biology. Let’s stay connected and actively engage in discussions!

In the spirit of continuous learning, below is our curated selection of Recommended Readings— noteworthy articles that offer new insights and deepen understanding in current research areas:

  • Myeloperoxidase aggravates thoracic aortic aneurysm formation in Marfan disease.
    Mehrkens D, Dohr J, Nettersheim FS, et al. Cardiovasc Res. 2025 Dec 17:cvaf248. doi: 10.1093/cvr/cvaf248. 
  • William Harvey and the role of the circulation: approaching the quadricentennial.
    Braunwald E. Eur Heart J. 2026 Jan 5;47(1):6–7. doi: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehaf1030 — a historical perspective by a true institution in modern cardiology not to be missed.
  • Targeting P2Y14R alleviates platelet-induced NET formation and venous thrombosis through PKA/AKAP13/RhoA axis.
    Fang Y, Wang J, Liu C, et al. European Heart Journal. ehaf836. https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/ehaf836

Read more of our recommended readings

FCVB 2026 - Leuven, Belgium (17-19 April 2026)

Don´t miss the seesion on The exposome and cardiovascular disease with the contribution from Working Group on Atherosclerosis and Vascular Biology to be held on 17 April from 11:40 to 13:10 during Frontiers in CardioVascular Biomedicine (FCVB) 2026 - from 17 to 19 April - Leuven, Belgium. The perfect occasion to meet colleagues from around the world for an exceptional edition of FCVB with the program covering the entire spectrum of cutting-edge basic and translational cardiovascular research with the latest and most exciting findings and ideas.

ESC Congress 2026 — Munich, Germany (28–31 August 2026)

We are pleased to share key information about ESC Congress 2026, the annual scientific meeting of the European Society of Cardiology — the largest cardiovascular congress in the world taking place from 28 to 31 August 2026 in Munich, Germany.  

This flagship event brings together thousands of clinicians, researchers, and allied professionals to present cutting-edge science, discuss advancements, and shape the future of cardiovascular care. Highlights include a full scientific and educational programme covering all subspecialties, networking opportunities, expert sessions, and the latest breakthroughs in research and clinical practice.  
Important dates and reminders for ESC 2026:

  • Abstract submission deadline: 1 March 2026 — a key opportunity to showcase your research.  • Early registration deadline: 31 May 2026 — secure the best rates.  
  • Congress dates: Friday 28 August – Monday 31 August 2026 in Munich. 

In addition to the main congress, there are pre-meeting programmes such as RISE @ ESC Congress 2026 — offering a dedicated day (27 August) of leadership development and community building for women in cardiology.  
We encourage you to register early, submit your best abstracts, and plan your participation — whether in person or with online access — to make the most of this exceptional scientific forum.

Our main mission remains: advancing the science of atherosclerosis and vascular biology while fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange. Your feedback is invaluable — if you have suggestions for topics you’d like covered in future newsletters, emerging research of interest, or ideas to enhance our activities, please reach out to Luca Liberale (luca.liberale@unige.it) with the subject line: WG Atherosclerosis Vascular Biology.

Thank you for being an integral part of our community. We look forward to connecting with you online via X and LinkedIn (#AtheroMatters), and to seeing many of you at ESC Congress 2026 and other exciting events this year!

Warm regards,

Luca, Holger, Simon & Elena
On behalf of the ESC Working Group on Atherosclerosis and Vascular Biology