Congress News
Stay at the heart of the action with top articles from Congress News
Latest news
Hot Line 7: Advances in interventional cardiology
Discover the results from POPular ACE TAVI, TAVI PCI, TRIC-I-HF, ACASA-TAVI and NOTION-4, presented on Sunday, 30 August 2026.
Fifth Universal Definition of Myocardial Infarction (2026)
For the first time, a Universal Definition of Myocardial Infarction (UDMI) has been developed jointly by four major cardiac societies: the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), the American College of Cardiology (ACC), the American Heart Association (AHA) and the World Heart Federation (WHF).
2026 ESC Guidelines for the management of cardiovascular disease and chronic kidney disease
Yesterday, Task Force Chairs, Associate Professor Kevin Damman (University Medical Centre Groningen - Netherlands) and Professor William Herrington (University of Oxford - UK) presented the first ESC Guidelines on cardiovascular disease (CVD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD), in collaboration with the European Renal Association
Hot Line 5: EMAIL-HF, Remote Exercise SWEDEHEART, ADHERE-ASCVD, VIRTUES
Discover the results from EMAIL-HF, Remote Exercise SWEDEHEART, ADHERE-ASCVD, VIRTUES, presented on Saturday, 29 August 2026.
Hot Line 6: Headlines in heart failure
Discover results from H-HeFT plus a meta-analysis, Met-HeFT plus a meta-analysis, LUMINARA, PADN-PH-LHD and TIME-HF.
Hot Line 3: LIBREXIA ACS, PREMIUM, SWITCH SWEDEHEART, A-CLOSE, EPIDAURUS
Discover the results from Hot Line 3, presented on Saturday, 29 August 2026 at ESC Congress.
Hot Line 8: Answers in AF
Discover the results from AFFIRMO, PVI-SHAM-AF, NEXAF and IDEAL-AF, presented on Sunday, 30 August 2026 in Hot Line 8.
Unity for a shared purpose
Prof. Cecilia Linde shares the experiences that shaped her leadership journey and outlines her priorities as President of the ESC for the 2026-2028 mandate, including inclusion, the EU Safe Hearts Plan, AI, sustainability and strengthening collaboration across the cardiovascular community to improve patient care.
Introducing the new ESC AI Gateway
The ESC AI Gateway is a major new initiative designed to help the cardiovascular community navigate the rapid growth of AI. Discover how it will support education, foster collaboration, guide responsible innovation and help bring trusted AI tools into clinical practice.
Can deep learning detect CVDs from mammography?
Could a routine mammogram reveal more than breast cancer risk? Researchers developed an AI algorithm that detects hypertension, ischaemic heart disease and stroke from mammographic images.
Hot Line 2: STAREE, AMUNDSEN, TRANQUILITY, REACT, ENRICH-AF
Discover the results of Hot Line 2, presented on Saturday, 29 August 2026.
ESC Fund: Every heart, everywhere
Discover how the ESC Fund is helping close gaps in cardiovascular health by expanding access to education, training and evidence-based care worldwide.
Can AI improve the detection of occlusion MIs from ECGs?
Abstract of the day.
What would Florence Nightingale measure today? Frailty and the future of cardiovascular care
This year’s ESC Florence Nightingale Lecture in Nurse-Led Research is given by Professor Izabella Uchmanowicz (Wroclaw Medical University – Wroclaw, Poland), whose research has helped to improve the lives of older adults with cardiovascular disorders.
Meet the ESC Gold Medallist: Prof. Lina Badimon
Prof. Badimon has dedicated her career to advancing cardiovascular research, from pioneering thrombosis models to identifying novel therapeutic targets and biomarkers. Her work has shaped understanding of atherosclerosis, coronary disease, and cardiovascular health, while inspiring generations of researchers.
Meet the ESC Gold Medallist: Prof: John Cleland
Prof. John Cleland has helped shape the field of heart failure through landmark research, education and leadership. From founding key heart failure initiatives and journals to advancing therapies that have transformed patient care, he shares the achievements and ideas that continue to influence cardiovascular medicine today.
The Role of Statins in the Post-Truth Era
The presenter of the ESC Geoffrey Rose Lecture in Population Sciences is Professor Colin Baigent (University of Oxford - UK), whose main interests are in the design and conduct of large-scale randomised trials and the use of meta-analysis to assess the efficacy and safety of drugs for preventing and treating CVD.
For women and with women: Why inclusion matters
Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death among women, yet major disparities persist. Discover how the ESC is advocating for policy change, advancing research and promoting greater equity in cardiovascular health and the profession.
Diagnosing Laennec’s chest conditions: Technology advances to address an epidemic of cardiovascular death in women
Inspired by the pioneering French physician, Professor C Noel Bairey Merz (Cedars-Sinai Smidt Heart Institute - Los Angeles, USA) will discuss the technological advances that have furthered our understanding of CVD in women in her ESC Rene Laennec Lecture in Clinical Cardiology.
2026 ESC Guidelines for the management of heart failure
Major changes in the classification, nomenclature and treatment of heart failure (HF) in the new ESC Guidelines1 were discussed by Task Force Chairs, Assoc. Prof. Marianna Adamo and Prof. Lars Køber during the session on Friday, 28 August 2026.
ESC Gold Medallist: Prof. Gilles Montalescot
Prof. Gilles Montalescot has helped shape modern cardiovascular care through pioneering clinical trials and decades of research. From advancing antithrombotic therapies to influencing ESC Guidelines and leading practice-changing studies, his work continues to improve outcomes for patients with acute coronary syndromes.
Interventional cardiology waste – can its environmental burden be limited?
From coronary angiography to TAVI and TEER, interventional procedures generate considerable waste. A recent study highlights their environmental burden and the potential of simple disposal strategies to reduce the impact.
From basic science to translational imaging: The transformative role of AI
The presenter of this year’s ESC Paul Hugenholtz Lecture in Innovation is Professor Charalambos Antoniades (University of Oxford - UK) who will discuss his work developing AI models that predict cardiovascular events years before they happen.
Hot Line 4: PRESC1SE-MI, AIR-STEMI, TARGET-CTCA
Discover the results from the PRESC1SE-MI, AIR-STEMI, TARGET-CTCA trials, presented on Saturday, 29 August 2026 in Hot Line 4.
Celebrating 10 years of ESC Professional Membership, together!
In 2016, ESC Professional Membership was launched to facilitate knowledge exchange and networking. Now, 10 years on, that network has grown into a diverse global community. Join us in marking this very special anniversary in Munich.
Efficacy of digitoxin according to LVEF in DIGIT-HF
Latest findings from DIGIT-HF suggest digitoxin may benefit patients across the spectrum of reduced LVEF. Exploratory analyses indicate a potentially greater reduction in adverse outcomes among those with severely impaired systolic function.
Immune–stromal circuits in cardiac arrhythmia
The presenter of the ESC William Harvey Lecture in Basic Science is Professor Matthias Nahrendorf (Massachusetts General Brigham, Harvard Medical School - Boston, USA), whose work has accelerated our understanding of the role of immunity in CVD.
“The future of cardiology will not be built by technology alone”
The ESC Congress 2026 Inaugural Ceremony provided a high-tech glimpse into the future, a step back into the past and discussed some current perspectives on how cardiovascular medicine can make real progress.
Can deep learning detect LV diastolic dysfunction from ECGs?
Presented at ESC Congress, new research shows a deep-learning AI model can identify left ventricular diastolic dysfunction from 12-lead ECGs with high accuracy. The approach may help support earlier, scalable screening and prioritise patients for echocardiography.
The next chapter for cardio-oncology: The European Heart Journal – Cardio-Oncology
The ESC has built a thriving cardio-oncology community through its Council, guidelines, conferences and educational activities. Taking this to the next level, the new European Heart Journal – Cardio-Oncology provides a scientific platform to sustain and amplify that momentum.
Hot Line 1: CARDIO-TTRansform, SINGLE-AF, POET-II, ACACIA-HCM, CMR GUIDE
Discover the results of Hot Line 1, presented on Friday, 28 August 2026.
Transforming cardiology, together
“The ESC is leading the way in exploring the benefits that artificial intelligence (AI) can bring to our daily practice,” says ESC President, Thomas F. Lüscher. “Putting AI in the spotlight at ESC Congress 2026 helps us discuss the digital transformation as a community: considering both opportunities and responsibilities.”
From data to action: CV health checks are a key step in Europe’s Safe Hearts Plan
Ten years of ESC Atlas data have helped reveal the true burden of cardiovascular disease across Europe. Now, the EU Safe Hearts Plan offers an opportunity to turn evidence into action, with cardiovascular health checks set to play a key role in earlier risk identification, prevention and better heart health for all.
Interventional pharmacology: The next frontier in Andreas Grüntzig's legacy
The presenter of the ESC Andreas Grüntzig Lecture in Interventional Cardiology is Professor Marco Valgimigli (Cardiocentro Ticino Institute - Lugano, Switzerland) who will discuss why he thinks interventional pharmacology should become a subspecialty in its own right.