Submit Science – Scientific Sessions 2026

Presenting at Scientific Sessions differentiates you and can positively impact the trajectory of your scientific career!

Oral Abstract Presentations

• Present your work from the podium and engage directly with a leading global scientific community.

Clinical Case

• Step onto the Clinical Case Arena stage and engage with attendees with a compelling case experience.

Moderated Digital Poster & Traditional Posters

• Converse with senior leaders in your field.
• Engage with other poster presenters.
• Discuss your research with attendees in the Discussion Forum.

General Abstract Submission Period: April 8–June 4, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. CDT (-5 UTC)

Overall Abstract Submission Requirements

• All abstracts must be submitted (and if accepted, will be presented) in English with accurate grammar and spelling suitable for publication.
• Submit statistical results, including descriptive and inferential statistics.
• Author must affirm that the work submitted is original, and the abstract content is based on thorough examination and investigation for accuracy.
• Authors should not "split" statistical data to create several abstracts from one study. 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 people will be disqualified.
• Proofread abstracts carefully to avoid errors before the submission deadline. The abstract will be published exactly as it has been 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 American Heart Association is committed to upholding the highest standards of scientific integrity in all abstracts submitted to its scientific meetings. By submitting an abstract, authors confirm that the work is original, accurately presented, and consistent with the American Heart Association’s standards for ethical and responsible scientific communication. All abstracts submitted to AHA scientific meetings are subject to peer review and may undergo additional scientific integrity assessments, which may include expert evaluation and analytical tools to identify concerns related to originality, authorship, ethical conduct, or appropriate use of emerging technologies. Abstracts that do not meet AHA’s scientific or ethical standards may be subject to further review or disqualification.

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.
• Do not include the title in the abstract body.

Abstract Body Content

• The American Heart Association is committed to presenting quality science.
  • Only the strongest abstracts will be accepted under competitive review standards.
  • Repeated low-quality or mass submissions may affect future eligibility.
  • To preserve abstract integrity, submissions linked to paper mills or containing invalid research will not be accepted into the program.
• We recommend abstracts have the following identifiable sections:
  • Introduction/Background
  • Research Questions/Hypothesis
  • 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 American Heart Association 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 informationof any patient participating in the study or trial.

Abstract Character Guidelines

• Abstracts are limited to 2,500 characters (about 360-630 words).
• Counts towards character limit:
  • Text in the abstract body
  • Punctuation in the abstract body
• Does not count towards character limit:
  • Title of abstract
  • Names of authors
  • Caption of graphic
  • Graphics, images, figures or tables
  • Spaces in the abstract body

Graphics Guidelines

• All graphics (figures) and text-based graphics (tables) shouldbe 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 color 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, an American Heart Association journal.

Abstract Authors

• 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.
• Contribution Criteria for Author Inclusion:
  When prioritizing authors, consider the following:
  • Substantial Intellectual Contribution
    • Conceptualization or design of the study
    • Data acquisition, analysis, or interpretation
  • Approval and Accountability
    • Final approval of the version submitted
    • Agreement to be accountable for all aspects of the work
  • Recommended Process
    • Authors should discuss and agree on prioritization before submission.
    • AHA encourages transparency and adherence to ethical authorship standards.
• All authors listed on the abstract must have actively participated in the research the abstract represents. The American Heart Association reserves the right to remove an abstract from the program abstract represents
• Please review the author block carefully. Edits cannot be made after the June 4, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. CDT (-5 UTC) 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 June 4, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. CDT (-5 UTC) 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 supplement, ePoster site, the mobile meeting guide app, abstracts on USB/download and the online program planner.

Abstract Review

• Abstracts successfully submitted by the June 4, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. CDT (-5 UTC) deadline are posted to a secured website 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 Committee for Scientific Sessions Programming, 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 and 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-August. 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 in oral, moderated digital poster or poster board presentation formats.
• Presentation Preference
  Any Format: The program committee may schedule your abstract for presentation in an oral session, moderated digital poster session, or poster board session.
  • By selecting Any Format, if your abstract is accepted for presentation, you agree to present your abstract orally in an abstract oral session or moderated digital poster session, or as a printed poster in a poster board session
  Poster Only: The program committee will only schedule your abstract for presentation in a poster board session.

Abstract Journal Publication

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

Embargo Policy

• General abstracts and presentations are embargoed for release at 5:00 AM EST Monday, Nov. 2, 2026, 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.
• Written embargoed information cannot be shared with anyone outside of the AHA, except for a journal manuscript in which one-on-one embargoed media interviews can be conducted if the reporter agrees to abide by the embargo policy. Failure to honor embargo policies will result in this abstract beingwithdrawnand 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 audio visual materials and 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. The 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 been used to carry out or generate analytical work, the tools utilized should be documented in the abstract.
  Not Acceptable Use:
  • AI-generated abstract with minimal or no human revision
  • AI-generated scientific ideas, claims, data, or conclusions
• 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.

Clinical Case Submission Period: April 8–June 4, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. CDT (-5 UTC)

Clinical cases in cardiovascular medicine provide a mechanism to promote experiential learning about rare conditions, unusual presentations, or novel treatment responses. They also serve as important tools in advancing clinical practice. Clinical case submissions should aim to advance knowledge, improve care, and humanize clinical practice.

Clinical cases should follow (as appropriate) the checklist as outlined in the 2013 Case Report guidelines CARE Checklist — CARE Case Report Guidelines. Proprietary information must not be included.

CARE-writer is an online application that may be helpful in case study preparation, which follows the CARE guidelines for organizing, formatting, and writing systematic and case reports.

Overall Clinical Case Submission Requirements

• Must be submitted (and if accepted, will be presented) in English with accurate grammar and spelling suitable for publication.
• Author must affirm that the work submitted is original and the content is based on thorough examination and investigation for accuracy.
• Proofread carefully to avoid errors before the submission deadline. The case report will be published exactly as it has been submitted.
• Submission of a case report constitutes a commitment by the author(s) to present if accepted. Failure to present, if not justified, will jeopardize future acceptance of submissions for American Heart Association meetings/conferences.
• There is no limit to the number of case reports 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 American Heart Association is committed to upholding the highest standards of scientific integrity in all abstracts submitted to its scientific meetings. By submitting an abstract, authors confirm that the work is original, accurately presented, and consistent with the American Heart Association’s standards for ethical and responsible scientific communication. All abstracts submitted to AHA scientific meetings are subject to peer review and may undergo additional scientific integrity assessments, which may include expert evaluation and analytical tools to identify concerns related to originality, authorship, ethical conduct, or appropriate use of emerging technologies. Abstracts that do not meet AHA’s scientific or ethical standards may be subject to further review or disqualification.

Clinical Case Character Guidelines

• Abstracts are limited to 2,500 characters (about 360-630 words).
• Counts towards character limit:
  • Text in the abstract body
  • Punctuation in the abstract body
• Does not count towards character limit:
  • Title of abstract
  • Names of authors
  • Caption of graphics
  • Graphics, Images, figures, or tables
  • Spaces in the abstract body

Clinical Case Body Content

• We recommend that abstracts have the following identifiable sections:
  • Title, Abstract & Keywords
  • Introduction (Context & Rationale)
  • Patient Information (De‑identified)
  • Clinical Findings & Timeline
  • Diagnostic Assessment & Reasoning
  • Therapeutic Intervention(s)
  • Follow‑up, Outcomes & Adverse Events
  • Discussion & Synthesis
  • Patient Perspective (when appropriate)
  • Writing Quality & Organization
• 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 the patient.

Graphics Guidelines (Figures and Tables)

• 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 color mode.
• All graphics will require a brief description of the image.
• Please Note: If a case report is accepted for publication, any images submitted are placed after the report that will appear in the online-only supplement to Circulation, an American Heart Association journal.

Clinical Case Authors

• The submitting author will be designated as the primary and presenting author unless otherwise specified. The presenting author must be listed on the case report and can be listed anywhere in the author block.
• Contribution Criteria for Author Inclusion
  When prioritizing authors, consider the following:
  • Substantial Intellectual Contribution
  • Approval and Accountability
    • Final approval of the version submitted
    • Agreement to be accountable for all aspects of the work
• All authors listed on the case report must have actively participated in the development of the case report. The AHA reserves the right to remove a report from the program if it is determined that any listed author did not contribute to the work presented.
• Please review the author block carefully. Edits cannot be made after the June 4, 2026, 6:00 PM CT (UTC-5) deadline. Once the submission is complete, the author block will be published as submitted. Additions or deletions of author names are not permitted after the submission deadline.

Clinical Case Revisions

• After the June 4, 2026, 6:00 PM CT (UTC-5) deadline, your submission is considered final and cannot be edited.
  • Submissions may not be revised in any way or resubmitted.
  • Additions or deletions of author names will not be permitted.
• Proofread carefully to avoid errors before submission.

Clinical Case 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 supplement, ePoster site, the mobile meeting guide app, abstracts on USB/download and the online program planner.

Clinical Case Review

• Clinical case abstracts successfully submitted by the June 4, 2026, 6:00 PM CT (UTC-5) deadline are posted to a secure website for blind review. Our intent is to be inclusive of quality science received without compromising scientific integrity. As such, a team of experts, guided by the Committee for Scientific Sessions Program, independently reviews submissions in the category that best fits their expertise.
• Clinical cases will be evaluated based on the presence and quality of identified elements in the 2013 CARE guidelines https://www.care-statement.org/checklist

Clinical Case Acceptance

• Acceptance/non-acceptance status will be available by mid-August. Please ensure the email provided for the presenting author is accurate, as allcorrespondence will be sent via email to the presenting author only.
• All communications 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 submissions will be scheduled in oral or poster presentation formats.
All presentations, including question-and-answer 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 the presentation will be included in the acceptance communication.

Journal Publication

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

Embargo Policy

• General presentations are embargoed for release at 5 AM EST Monday, November 2, 2026, and are therefore prohibited from release until date and time of AHA designated release time. You will be contacted by AHA communications if you are selected to participate in an AHA news event
• Written embargoed information cannot be shared with anyone outside of the AHA, except for a journal manuscript in which one-on-one embargoed media interviews can be conducted if 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 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 their use is documented, and authors assume responsibility for the content. The 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 been used to carry out or generate analytical work, the tools utilized should be documented in the abstract.
• Not acceptable use:
  • AI-generated abstract with minimal or no human revision
  • AI-generated scientific ideas, claims, data, or conclusions
• 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.

When is the General Abstract Submission Deadline?

• Thursday, June 4, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. CDT (-5 UTC).

Are abstract presenters responsible for their expenses associated with participating in Scientific Sessions 2026?

• The presenter is responsible for all expenses (e.g., airfare, lodging, conference registration) associated with the submission and presentation of an abstract. The presenting author of an accepted abstract must register for the meeting to present the abstract.

What is the fee for submitting an abstract?

• There is a non-refundable submission fee for each abstract submitted.
• Standard Abstract Fee Pricing: Member = $45 / Non-Member = $95. Become a Member and Save!
• World Bank Abstract Fee Pricing = Complimentary [please check the LMIC list (PDF) for your country.]

How do I request a refund if I am a member but paid the non-member fee?

• The last day to request a refund will be 30 days after the submission period closes. Submit a refund request to [email protected].
• Membership must be active before the submission period ends.
• Abstract must be submitted using the member’s Professional Heart Daily account to receive the member pricing.
  • Even if a co-author is a member, member pricing is tied to the account the submitter is signed in with to submit the abstract.

Does AHA Scientific Sessions 2026 accept previously published or presented abstracts?

• The American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2026 is a forum for the presentation of novel research findings.
• The work covered by the abstract must not have been presented at a national or international meeting before presentation at Scientific Sessions 2026 or the Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Medical Society symposium taking place at AHA Scientific Sessions 2026.
• Abstracts associated with a published manuscript can be presented at an American Heart Associations 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.

To what category should I submit my abstract?

• To ensure your abstract receives proper scientific consideration, be sure to submit to the appropriate abstract category. Abstract categories can be found on this page.
• The HCM Society is co-locating with #AHA26. There are separate submission categories for each meeting. Your submission will only be considered for the meeting where submitted.

Can I make edits to my abstract after the submission deadline?

• After the June 4, 2026, 6:00 p.m. CDT (-5 UTC ) submission deadline, abstracts are no longer accessible and therefore may not be revised in any way or resubmitted. Additions or deletions of author names will not be permitted.
• If accepted, your abstract will be published as submitted; it cannot be edited after the submission deadline. Proofread abstracts carefully to avoid errors before the submission deadline.

When will I know if my abstract has been accepted?

• Abstract acceptance/non-acceptance status will be available by mid-August. Please ensure the email provided for the presenting author is accurate as all correspondences 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.

Do you accept Literature Review abstract submissions?

• A literature review within the context of a systematic review or meta-analysis research methodology may be considered for acceptance.