Abstracts and Awards – BCVS Scientific Sessions 2024

Abstract submission is now closed for #BCVS24.

To ensure that your abstract receives proper scientific consideration, be sure to submit to the appropriate category.

Abstract Submission

• Review Best Practices for Writing Abstracts on this page.
  
  
• All abstracts must be submitted (and if accepted, will be presented) in English, having accurate grammar and spelling suitable for publication.
  
  
• Statistical results (including descriptive and inferential statistics) are to be included.
  
  
• Author must affirm the work submitted is original and all statements declared as facts are based on thorough examination and investigation for accurateness.
  
  
• Authors should not "split" data to create several abstracts from one. If splitting is judged to have occurred, prior scores of related abstracts will be negatively influenced.
  
  
• Abstracts containing identical or nearly identical data submitted from the same institution and/or individuals will be disqualified.
  
  
• Proofread abstracts carefully to avoid errors before submission. The abstract will be published exactly as submitted.
  
  
• Submission of an abstract constitutes a commitment by the author(s) to present if accepted. Failure to present, if not justified, will jeopardize future acceptance of abstracts for American Heart Association meetings/conferences.
  
  
• There is no limit to the number of abstracts an investigator may submit. If selected, the presenter must be one of the co-authors listed. If multiple submissions are accepted, the presenting author must resolve schedule conflicts by arranging for a co-author to present.


• The work covered by the abstract must not have been presented at a national or international meeting before presentation at BCVS 2024, unless the submission includes incremental information from the abstract presented elsewhere to justify submission and presentation at the AHA. Each investigator will determine, in good conscience, what constitutes incremental information.


• Abstracts associated with a published manuscript can be presented at an AHA scientific event if the manuscript was published after the time the abstract was submitted to the event, however the abstract will not be published as a part of the journal publication.

Abstract Title

• An abstract must have a short, specific title (containing no abbreviations or inflammatory language) that indicates the nature of the investigation.
  
  
• Avoid an abstract title that reveals the results of the study. Explicit titles denoting the findings should be used (not “Investigations of…”, “Studies of…,” etc.)

Abstract Text

• It is recommended abstracts have the following identifiable sections:
  • Introduction/Background
  • Research Questions/Hypothesis
  • Goals/Aims
  • Methods/Approach
  • Results/Data (descriptive and inferential statistics)
  • Conclusion(s)
    
    
• Looking for recommendations on how to improve your abstract? We highly recommend you view these recommendations from AHA journals.
  
  
• Use generic drug names.
  
  
• Avoid beginning sentences with numbers.
  
  
• Standard abbreviations may be used without definition. Nonstandard abbreviations (kept to a minimum) must be placed in parentheses after the first use of the word or phrase abbreviated.
  
  
• Do not include references, credits or grant support.
  
  
• Do not include the names or personal information of any patient participating in the study or trial.

Abstract Character Guidelines

• Abstracts are limited to 1,950 characters (about 300-350 words).
  
  
• Spaces do not count as characters.
  
  
• Counts towards character limit include:
  • Text in the abstract body
  • Graphics – addition of an image, whether a figure or a table, deducts 250 characters.
    
    
• Does not count towards character limit:
  • Title of abstract
  • Names of authors
  • Spaces in the abstract body
  • Caption of graphic
    
    
• Graphics Guidelines
  
  • All graphics (figures) and text-based graphics (tables) should be provided as 72-300—dpi, pre-sized, .BMP, .GIF, .JPG or .PNG images only, with a maximum width of 440 pixels (no limit on length). Black-and-white digital images should be in grayscale mode. Color images should be saved in RGB mode.
    
    
  • All graphics will require a brief description of the image.
    
    
  • Please Note: If an abstract is accepted for publication, any images submitted with the abstract are placed after the abstract that will appear in the online-only supplement to Circulation Research, an American Heart Association journal.

Author Name(s)

• The submitting author will be designated as the primary and presenting author unless otherwise specified. The presenting author must be listed on the abstract and can be listed anywhere in the author block.
  
  
• Please review the author block carefully. Edits cannot be made after the March 13, 6:00 PM CDT/UTC-5 deadline. Once submission is complete, the author block will be published as submitted. Additions or deletions of author names are not permitted after the submission deadline.

Abstract Revisions

• After the deadline, your abstract submission is considered final and cannot be edited.
  • Abstracts may not be revised in any way or resubmitted.
  • Additions or deletions of author names will not be permitted.
    
    
• Proofread abstracts carefully to avoid errors before submission.

Abstract Copyright Transfer Agreement

• Abstract Copyright Transfer Agreement will be electronically signed during submission.
  • Your selection of “Yes” will grant permission to publish.
  • Your selection of “No” will prohibit publication of the abstract in all formats including the Circulation Research supplement, ePoster site, and the online program planner.

Abstract Review

• Abstracts successfully submitted by the March 13, 2024, 6:00 pm CDT/UTC -5 deadline are posted to a secured web site for blind review. Our intent is to be inclusive of quality science received without compromising scientific integrity. As such, a team of experts, selected by the BCVS Program Committee, independently reviews abstracts in the category that best fits their expertise.
  
  
• Abstracts submitted for consideration must convey an original idea, concept, or an improvement or revision of a previous idea. Abstracts are selected on the basis of the following:
  • Scientific merit - direction toward the development of a new or improved diagnostic procedure or idea.
  • Organization - well organized, easy to follow and understand.
  • Practicality - should be available, logical and feasible.
  • Presentation - should be clear, brief, show understanding of the subject matter.
  • Technical quality - the idea must stand up to scrutiny. Facts and data have scientific backing.

Abstract Acceptance

• Abstract acceptance/non-acceptance status will be available by mid-May. Please ensure the email provided for the presenting author is accurate as all correspondence will be sent via email, to the presenting author only.
  
  
• All communications regarding your abstract will be sent from [email protected].. Please make sure to add this email address to your email contacts to ensure important program participant related information gets through your spam filters, etc.
  
  
• All accepted abstracts will be scheduled either in an oral or poster presentation format. All presentations including question-and-answers will be conducted in English. Presenters may request assistance from the moderator who will repeat or rephrase questions from the audience or may ask a colleague in the audience to assist with translation.
  
  
• Guidelines for abstract presentation will be included in the acceptance communication.

Abstract Journal Publication

• Accepted abstracts having selected “Yes” to the Abstract Copyright Transfer Agreement will be published online in the Circulation Research journal supplement.

Embargo Policy

• Non-late breaking abstracts and presentations are embargoed for release at date and time of presentation for oral abstract presentations; and July 22, 2024 at 8:00 am Central Time for all poster presentations, and are therefore prohibited from release until date and time of AHA designated embargo time. You will be contacted by AHA communications if you are selected to participate in an AHA news event. NOTE: If presenting an abstract at the Asian Cardiovascular Symposium held on Sunday, July 21, 2024, the embargo will be lifted on date/time of presentation for oral sessions and July 21, 2024, at 1:00p pm Central Time for poster presentations.


• Written embargoed information cannot be shared with anyone outside of the AHA with the exception of a journal manuscript where one-on-one embargoed media interviews can be conducted as long as the reporter agrees to abide by the embargo policy. Failure to honor embargo policies will result in this abstract being withdrawn and future abstracts also being barred from presentation. Complete AHA Embargo Policy.

Recording Policy

• Unauthorized recording of the AHA Scientific Sessions, scientific conferences, and the AHA/ASA International Stroke Conference is prohibited, whether by video, still or digital photography, audio or any other recording or reproduction mechanism. This includes recording of presentations and supporting audiovisual materials and of poster presentations and supporting poster materials.
  
  
• The American Heart Association and American Stroke Association reserve the rights to all recordings or reproductions of presentations at AHA/ASA scientific conferences and meetings.

Use of Automated Assistive Writing Technologies and Tools

• The use of automated assistive writing technologies and tools (commonly referred to as artificial intelligence or machine learning tools) is permitted provided that their use is documented, and authors assume responsibility for the content. As with human-generated content, authors are responsible for the accuracy, validity, and originality of computer-generated content. Automated assistive writing technologies do not qualify for authorship as they are unable to provide approval or consent for submission.
  
  
• If the use of these technologies has involved the research design, the tools should be documented in the Methods. For additional information, see the World Association of Medical Editor recommendations.
  
  
• For your abstract submission, you will need to indicate the use of these tools.

The suggestions below are intended to provide guidance on abstract writing.

Title
To the extent the data permits, make the title dynamic and conclusive, rather than descriptive. For example, “Hypoxia Inhibits Kv1.5 Channels in Rat Pulmonary Artery Smooth Muscle Cells” is preferable to “Effects of Hypoxia on Kv1.5 Channels.” Explicit titles denoting the findings should be used (not “Investigations of…,” “Studies of…,” etc.)

Structure
Abstracts may have the following identifiable sections, but they are not mandatory: Introduction, Hypothesis, Methods, Results and Conclusions.

Abbreviations
Abbreviations may be used after they are spelled out or defined. Use generic, not commercial, names for all therapeutic agents.

Category
Be sure to select up to three abstract categories that best describes your work. Category selection determines which team grades the abstract. If you select the appropriate category, your abstract will be blindly graded by experts familiar with the science of the category.

Common mistakes

1. Failure to state the hypothesis. We advise a formal statement such as, “We assessed the hypothesis that…”
2. Failure to state a conclusion. We encourage a final sentence that says: “In conclusion…”
3. Failure to state sample size. The reviewers want to assess the quality of the data – they need a mean SEM and a sample size.
4. Excessive use of abbreviations. All but the most standard abbreviations should be defined, and most abstracts should have less than 3 abbreviations.

Traps to avoid

1. Typographical errors
2. References cited in the abstract
3. Not providing context or a statement of relevance that provides the rationale for your study.
4. Complex graphics. Simple line or bar graphs are most appropriate. Ensure the font size is adequately large on each axis to be visible. Check a printed version of the abstract before submitting.
5. Duplicative work

Remember: Make sure your abstract is clear, concise, and follows all rules. Show your abstract to a colleague prior to submission and modify accordingly. A fresh pair of eyes will help spot any errors and will ensure the final package is ready for submission.