ACC 2026 is returning to New Orleans with one of the most expansive and diverse scientific programs in recent memory. With thousands of abstracts distilled into a high‑impact lineup featuring 27 Late-Breaking Clinical Trials (LBCTs), Featured Clinical Research, Investigative Horizons, and AI-driven innovation, this year’s meeting promises to shape cardiovascular practice well beyond 2026.
Opening Highlights & Leadership Voices
ACC 2026 launches on Saturday, March 28 with insights from:- Christopher Kramer, MD – ACC Presidential Address
- Kathryn Berlacher, MD – Meeting Chair
- Julie Damp, MD – Vice Chair
Their opening session will introduce the structure of this year’s meeting: 11 clinical pathways, over 20 guideline-focused sessions, and a strong emphasis on practice-changing science, including the updated guidance for dyslipidemia management.
Preconference Immersive Programs – Friday, March 27
For attendees arriving early, ACC 2026 offers several deep‑dive sessions:
• Cardio‑Oncology Immersive
Updates in cardiovascular management for patients undergoing cancer therapies.
• Sports Cardiology Intensive
Training, screening, and return‑to‑play strategies across athletic populations.
• Critical Care Cardiology Workshop
Advanced hemodynamics, shock management, and multidisciplinary critical care models.
These programs historically sell out — and this year’s offerings reflect the rapid evolution of these subspecialties.
Practice Models & Clinical Innovation
Concierge Cardiology Takes Center Stage
This year’s crowdsourced town hall focuses on concierge medicine, responding to the growing number of cardiology groups exploring membership‑based models. The discussion will cover:- Clinical workflow redesign
- Economics and reimbursement
- Equity considerations
- Patient expectations
- Experience from early cardiology adopters
Expect strong debate, as the model continues expanding beyond primary care.
AI at ACC 2026: Moving From Promise to Practicality
Artificial intelligence continues to dominate cardiovascular discussions, and ACC 2026 features a robust lineup of AI-focused sessions.
Key AI Presentations
Mintu Turakhia, MD (Stanford Medicine; Chief Medical & Scientific Officer, iRhythm)- Keynote on scaling AI across cardiology practice
Rohan Khera, MD (Yale School of Medicine)- Challenges in translating AI research into frontline care
AI-themed sessions will also examine:- AI‑ECG screening tools
- AI‑driven retinal imaging for ASCVD risk
- AI models evaluating surgical technique
- Financial and governance structures for deploying AI
- Real-world examples of AI‑enabled imaging workflows
🚨 Late-Breaking Clinical Trials (LBCTs)All 27 trials from Sessions I–VII are included below.
LBCT I – Saturday, March 28
HI‑PEITHO
Ultrasound-facilitated catheter‑directed thrombolysis vs. anticoagulation for intermediate-to-high–risk pulmonary embolism.
CHAMPION‑AF
Comparison of left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) with oral anticoagulation in atrial fibrillation — especially relevant after last year’s CLOSURE-AF controversy.
STEMI Door‑to‑Unload
Impella‑based left ventricular unloading prior to PCI in STEMI without cardiogenic shock.
Device: Impella (Abiomed)
LBCT II – Saturday
KARDINAL- Tonlamarsen (Kardigan) — antisense oligonucleotide
- Indication: Uncontrolled hypertension
GoFreshRx- DASH diet–patterned grocery delivery
- For hypertensive adults with limited access to healthy foods
VESALIUS‑CV (Subgroup Study)- Evolocumab (Repatha; Amgen)
- Focus: Patients without significant atherosclerosis
Ez‑PAVE- Targets outcomes with LDL levels <55 mg/dL
LBCT III – Sunday, March 29
Interventional cardiology takes the spotlight.
ORBITA‑CTO
Placebo-controlled PCI trial for chronic total occlusions (CTO).
CHIP‑BCIS3
High‑risk PCI with percutaneous LV unloading.
ALL‑RISE & FAST III
Competing physiology‑guided PCI strategies.
LBCT IV – Sunday
Heart failure & cardiomyopathy innovations.
SPIRIT‑HF- Spironolactone
- For HFpEF and HFmrEF
SCOUT‑HCM- Mavacamten (Camzyos; Bristol Myers Squibb)
- In adolescent obstructive HCM
Lung Impedance‑Guided Therapy for HFpEF
CADENCE- Sotatercept (Winrevair; Merck Sharp & Dohme)
- For pre- and post‑capillary pulmonary hypertension due to HFpEF
LBCT V – Sunday
Structural interventions.
SURVIV
Redo surgery vs. transcatheter mitral valve‑in‑valve.
ProtectH2H
Comparison of two embolic protection devices during TAVI.
PRO‑TAVI
Routine PCI vs. deferred PCI in TAVI candidates.
Tri.fr Update
New outcomes in tricuspid transcatheter edge‑to‑edge repair.
LBCT VI – Monday, March 30
ESSENCE‑TIMI 73b (CTA Substudy)
Olezarsen (Tryngolza; Ionis Pharmaceuticals) in high-resolution CT angiography modeling.
Dig‑RHD
Digoxin therapy in rheumatic heart disease.
THRIVE Pilot
“Food is medicine” BP intervention in Black and Hispanic adults.
SMART‑DECISION
Evaluates stopping beta‑blockers in stabilized post‑MI patients — one of the most anticipated trials in 2026.
LBCT VII – Monday
IVUS‑CHIP
IVUS guidance for complex, high‑risk PCI (CHIP) cases.
DKCRUSH‑VIII
Next‑generation bifurcation PCI strategy.
OPTIMAL
Optimization of unprotected left main PCI.
SirPAD (Phase III)
Sirolimus‑coated balloons for infra‑inguinal PAD.
⭐ Featured Clinical Research (19 Presentations)
Highlights include ongoing advances in:- MINOCA evaluation and pathophysiology
- Global CAC scoring and its prognostic value
- Long‑term antiplatelet therapy in PCI patients
- New structural insights from TRISCEND II
- Risk stratification and diagnostic strategies spanning imaging, physiology, and prevention
Investigative Horizons Sessions
ACC 2026 also showcases cutting‑edge frontiers:- AI‑assisted retinal imaging to assess ASCVD risk
- Gene therapy for Friedreich ataxia cardiomyopathy
- AI‑based evaluation models of surgical technique
- AI‑ECG screening from PREVUE‑VALVE
- Long-term results for acoramidis (Attruby; BridgeBio Pharma) in ATTR‑CM
These sessions highlight technologies that may enter clinical use within the next decade.
Keynote Lectures
ACC 2026 will host several prominent speakers:- Cathleen Biga, MSN, RN – James T. Dove Lecture
- Carole Warnes, MD – Dan G. McNamara Address
- Paul Friedman, MD (Mayo Clinic) – Eugene Braunwald Lecture on the future of AI in cardiovascular medicine
Bottom Line
ACC 2026 is packed with transformative science — from LAAO vs. anticoagulation, to LV unloading, to PCSK9 inhibitor expansion, to HFpEF therapies, TAVI‑PCI strategies, AI‑driven diagnostics, gene therapy, and food‑as‑medicine interventions.
For cardiologists, this year’s meeting offers a clear look at the future of cardiovascular practice, with implications that will reverberate through guidelines, clinical workflows, and patient care models.
ACC 2026 is returning to New Orleans with one of the most expansive and diverse scientific programs in recent memory. With thousands of abstracts distilled into a high‑impact lineup featuring 27 Late-Breaking Clinical Trials (LBCTs), Featured Clinical Research, Investigative Horizons, and AI-driven innovation, this year’s meeting promises to shape cardiovascular practice well beyond 2026.
Opening Highlights & Leadership Voices
ACC 2026 launches on Saturday, March 28 with insights from:
- Christopher Kramer, MD – ACC Presidential Address
- Kathryn Berlacher, MD – Meeting Chair
- Julie Damp, MD – Vice Chair
Preconference Immersive Programs – Friday, March 27
For attendees arriving early, ACC 2026 offers several deep‑dive sessions:
• Cardio‑Oncology Immersive
Updates in cardiovascular management for patients undergoing cancer therapies.
• Sports Cardiology Intensive
Training, screening, and return‑to‑play strategies across athletic populations.
• Critical Care Cardiology Workshop
Advanced hemodynamics, shock management, and multidisciplinary critical care models.
These programs historically sell out — and this year’s offerings reflect the rapid evolution of these subspecialties.
Practice Models & Clinical Innovation
Concierge Cardiology Takes Center Stage
This year’s crowdsourced town hall focuses on concierge medicine, responding to the growing number of cardiology groups exploring membership‑based models. The discussion will cover:
- Clinical workflow redesign
- Economics and reimbursement
- Equity considerations
- Patient expectations
- Experience from early cardiology adopters
AI at ACC 2026: Moving From Promise to Practicality
Artificial intelligence continues to dominate cardiovascular discussions, and ACC 2026 features a robust lineup of AI-focused sessions.
Key AI Presentations
Mintu Turakhia, MD (Stanford Medicine; Chief Medical & Scientific Officer, iRhythm)
- Keynote on scaling AI across cardiology practice
- Challenges in translating AI research into frontline care
- AI‑ECG screening tools
- AI‑driven retinal imaging for ASCVD risk
- AI models evaluating surgical technique
- Financial and governance structures for deploying AI
- Real-world examples of AI‑enabled imaging workflows
🚨 Late-Breaking Clinical Trials (LBCTs)
All 27 trials from Sessions I–VII are included below.
LBCT I – Saturday, March 28
HI‑PEITHO
Ultrasound-facilitated catheter‑directed thrombolysis vs. anticoagulation for intermediate-to-high–risk pulmonary embolism.
CHAMPION‑AF
Comparison of left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) with oral anticoagulation in atrial fibrillation — especially relevant after last year’s CLOSURE-AF controversy.
STEMI Door‑to‑Unload
Impella‑based left ventricular unloading prior to PCI in STEMI without cardiogenic shock.
Device: Impella (Abiomed)
LBCT II – Saturday
KARDINAL
LBCT III – Sunday, March 29
Interventional cardiology takes the spotlight.
ORBITA‑CTO
Placebo-controlled PCI trial for chronic total occlusions (CTO).
CHIP‑BCIS3
High‑risk PCI with percutaneous LV unloading.
ALL‑RISE & FAST III
Competing physiology‑guided PCI strategies.
LBCT IV – Sunday
Heart failure & cardiomyopathy innovations.
SPIRIT‑HF
CADENCE
LBCT V – Sunday
Structural interventions.
SURVIV
Redo surgery vs. transcatheter mitral valve‑in‑valve.
ProtectH2H
Comparison of two embolic protection devices during TAVI.
PRO‑TAVI
Routine PCI vs. deferred PCI in TAVI candidates.
Tri.fr Update
New outcomes in tricuspid transcatheter edge‑to‑edge repair.
LBCT VI – Monday, March 30
ESSENCE‑TIMI 73b (CTA Substudy)
Olezarsen (Tryngolza; Ionis Pharmaceuticals) in high-resolution CT angiography modeling.
Dig‑RHD
Digoxin therapy in rheumatic heart disease.
THRIVE Pilot
“Food is medicine” BP intervention in Black and Hispanic adults.
SMART‑DECISION
Evaluates stopping beta‑blockers in stabilized post‑MI patients — one of the most anticipated trials in 2026.
LBCT VII – Monday
IVUS‑CHIP
IVUS guidance for complex, high‑risk PCI (CHIP) cases.
DKCRUSH‑VIII
Next‑generation bifurcation PCI strategy.
OPTIMAL
Optimization of unprotected left main PCI.
SirPAD (Phase III)
Sirolimus‑coated balloons for infra‑inguinal PAD.
⭐ Featured Clinical Research (19 Presentations)
Highlights include ongoing advances in:
Investigative Horizons Sessions
ACC 2026 also showcases cutting‑edge frontiers:
Keynote Lectures
ACC 2026 will host several prominent speakers:
Bottom Line
LBCT I – Saturday, March 28
HI‑PEITHO
Ultrasound-facilitated catheter‑directed thrombolysis vs. anticoagulation for intermediate-to-high–risk pulmonary embolism.
CHAMPION‑AF
Comparison of left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) with oral anticoagulation in atrial fibrillation — especially relevant after last year’s CLOSURE-AF controversy.
STEMI Door‑to‑Unload
Impella‑based left ventricular unloading prior to PCI in STEMI without cardiogenic shock.
Device: Impella (Abiomed)
LBCT II – Saturday
KARDINAL
- Tonlamarsen (Kardigan) — antisense oligonucleotide
- Indication: Uncontrolled hypertension
- DASH diet–patterned grocery delivery
- For hypertensive adults with limited access to healthy foods
- Evolocumab (Repatha; Amgen)
- Focus: Patients without significant atherosclerosis
- Targets outcomes with LDL levels <55 mg/dL
LBCT III – Sunday, March 29
Interventional cardiology takes the spotlight.
ORBITA‑CTO
Placebo-controlled PCI trial for chronic total occlusions (CTO).
CHIP‑BCIS3
High‑risk PCI with percutaneous LV unloading.
ALL‑RISE & FAST III
Competing physiology‑guided PCI strategies.
LBCT IV – Sunday
Heart failure & cardiomyopathy innovations.
SPIRIT‑HF
- Spironolactone
- For HFpEF and HFmrEF
- Mavacamten (Camzyos; Bristol Myers Squibb)
- In adolescent obstructive HCM
CADENCE
- Sotatercept (Winrevair; Merck Sharp & Dohme)
- For pre- and post‑capillary pulmonary hypertension due to HFpEF
LBCT V – Sunday
Structural interventions.
SURVIV
Redo surgery vs. transcatheter mitral valve‑in‑valve.
ProtectH2H
Comparison of two embolic protection devices during TAVI.
PRO‑TAVI
Routine PCI vs. deferred PCI in TAVI candidates.
Tri.fr Update
New outcomes in tricuspid transcatheter edge‑to‑edge repair.
LBCT VI – Monday, March 30
ESSENCE‑TIMI 73b (CTA Substudy)
Olezarsen (Tryngolza; Ionis Pharmaceuticals) in high-resolution CT angiography modeling.
Dig‑RHD
Digoxin therapy in rheumatic heart disease.
THRIVE Pilot
“Food is medicine” BP intervention in Black and Hispanic adults.
SMART‑DECISION
Evaluates stopping beta‑blockers in stabilized post‑MI patients — one of the most anticipated trials in 2026.
LBCT VII – Monday
IVUS‑CHIP
IVUS guidance for complex, high‑risk PCI (CHIP) cases.
DKCRUSH‑VIII
Next‑generation bifurcation PCI strategy.
OPTIMAL
Optimization of unprotected left main PCI.
SirPAD (Phase III)
Sirolimus‑coated balloons for infra‑inguinal PAD.
⭐ Featured Clinical Research (19 Presentations)
Highlights include ongoing advances in:
- MINOCA evaluation and pathophysiology
- Global CAC scoring and its prognostic value
- Long‑term antiplatelet therapy in PCI patients
- New structural insights from TRISCEND II
- Risk stratification and diagnostic strategies spanning imaging, physiology, and prevention
Investigative Horizons Sessions
ACC 2026 also showcases cutting‑edge frontiers:
- AI‑assisted retinal imaging to assess ASCVD risk
- Gene therapy for Friedreich ataxia cardiomyopathy
- AI‑based evaluation models of surgical technique
- AI‑ECG screening from PREVUE‑VALVE
- Long-term results for acoramidis (Attruby; BridgeBio Pharma) in ATTR‑CM
Keynote Lectures
ACC 2026 will host several prominent speakers:
- Cathleen Biga, MSN, RN – James T. Dove Lecture
- Carole Warnes, MD – Dan G. McNamara Address
- Paul Friedman, MD (Mayo Clinic) – Eugene Braunwald Lecture on the future of AI in cardiovascular medicine
Bottom Line
ACC 2026 is packed with transformative science — from LAAO vs. anticoagulation, to LV unloading, to PCSK9 inhibitor expansion, to HFpEF therapies, TAVI‑PCI strategies, AI‑driven diagnostics, gene therapy, and food‑as‑medicine interventions.
For cardiologists, this year’s meeting offers a clear look at the future of cardiovascular practice, with implications that will reverberate through guidelines, clinical workflows, and patient care models.
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