Science News from ACC.26
March 28–30, 2026
New Orleans, Louisiana
Top Trials of ACC.26
Manesh Patel, MD, FAHA, president-elect of the American Heart Association, and Brahmajee Nallamothu, MD, MPH, FAHA, editor-in-chief of Circulation: Population Health and Outcomes, highlight some of the top trials presented this year at ACC.26 in New Orleans.
HI-PEITHO
Ultrasound-Facilitated Catheter-Directed Thrombolysis Vs Anticoagulation Alone For Acute Intermediate-High-Risk Pulmonary Embolism: Primary Results of the HI-PEITHO Randomized Clinical Trial
Stavros Konstantinides, MD | University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany
RESULTS: Ultrasound-facilitated, catheter-directed fibrinolysis plus anticoagulation resulted in a lower risk of pulmonary embolism-related mortality, cardiopulmonary decompensation or collapse, or symptomatic recurrence of pulmonary embolism within 7 days when compared to anticoagulation alone.
CHAMPION-AF
Outcomes in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation Randomized to Receive Left Atrial Appendage Closure or Oral Anticoagulation: Primary Results of the CHAMPION-AF Clinical Trial
Saibal Kar, MD | HCA Healthhcare /Los Robles Health System
RESULTS: Compared to NOAC therapy, device-based left atrial appendage closure was noninferior in preventing death from CV causes, stroke, or systemic embolism and superior for non-procedure-related bleeding at 3 years.
STEMI-DTU
Primary Left Ventricular Unloading In Anterior ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) Without Cardiogenic Shock: Results From The STEMI-Door To Unload Randomized Clinical Trial
Gregg W Stone, MD | Columbia University
RESULTS: In patients with anterior STEMI without cardiogenic shock, mechanical LV unloading with a 30-minute delay before PCI did not reduce infarct size at days 3-5 compared with immediate PCI.
CHIP-BCIS3
Controlled Trial of High-Risk Coronary Intervention With Percutaneous Left Ventricular Unloading
Divaka Perera | Kings College of London, London, UK
RESULTS: Left ventricular unloading with a microaxial flow pump did not reduce major adverse clinical outcomes compared with standard care at a minimum of 12 months.
ALL-RISE
A Large-scale, Global Randomized Trial Of Coronary Physiology Derived From Conventional Angiography Compared With An Invasive Pressure Wire-based Approach To Guide Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
Ajay J. Kirtane MD, SM | NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center
RESULTS: FFRangio was non-inferior to standard pressure wire-based assessment for the composite outcome of death, myocardial infarction, or unplanned clinically indicated revascularization at 1 year with a reduced procedural time, radiation exposure, and contrast use.
FAST-III
Fractional Flow Reserve or 3D-quantitative Coronary Angiography-Based Vessel-FFR Guided Revascularization
Joost Daemen, MD, PhD | FAST III Investigators
RESULTS: In patients with intermediate coronary lesions, vFFR-guided revascularization was noninferior to FFR-guided revascularization for a composite of death, myocardial infarction, or repeat revascularization at 1 year.
SCOUT-HCM
Mavacamten in Symptomatic Adolescent Patients With Obstructive Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: Results From the Phase 3 Scout-HCM Trial
Michiel Voskuil | University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
RESULTS: Treatment with mavacamten was associated with a significantly greater reduction in Valsalva-provoked left ventricular outflow tract gradient and a similar safety profile compared with placebo over 28 weeks.
PRO-TAVI
Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation Without Routine Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Michiel Voskuil | University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
RESULTS: Deferring PCI prior to TAVI was noninferior compared with PCI before TAVI for the 1-year composite of all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction, stroke, and major bleeding.
