Submit Science – Scientific Sessions 2026

Submission Period: June 22 – August 24, 2026, 6:00 p.m. CDT/7:00 p.m. EDT

Late-Breaking Science Abstract Submission Guidelines

Late-Breaking Science Sessions are innovative and provide the latest breakthroughs in clinical science. The sessions provide notable exposure and recognition for studies likely to have a significant impact on clinical practice and/or to make significant advances in a scientific field. The American Heart Association is excited to receive your late-breaking science.

Submission: Abstracts submitted via the late-breaking submission process are expected to contain, at a minimum, the study design. Information on the characteristics of the patients enrolled is also desirable. If available, the major trial results should be summarized and will be maintained confidential. Each submission must include a $300 online payment. If accepted, the abstract may be modified in the fall for publication, since the trial data presented at Scientific Sessions will be published online in the Circulation journal supplement. Send your questions or concerns to [email protected].

We understand the flexibility needed for trial timelines. For trials closing close to the deadline, please reach out to [email protected] and she will forward your concerns to the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Committee on Scientific Sessions Program.

Submission Type:

• Late-Breaking Randomized Clinical Trial – must include some type of intervention or procedure
• Breakthrough Innovations in Clinical and Translational Science – first-in-human therapeutics, major technology advances
• Clinical Trial Update – update on a previously presented clinical trial
• High Impact Science from Clinical Registries or Observational Studies

Categories/Themes

Abstract Character Limitations

• Character Maximum limit: 2,500
• Character Minimum limit: 50

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 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.

Additional Late-Breaking Science Submission Requirements:

Information regarding your science will be collected during the submission process. Not all questions may be applicable to your research. Please fill out the required steps during submission to the best of your ability.

• Are you submitting multiple late-breaking science abstracts to Scientific Sessions 2026 from the same trial or data set?

The American Heart Association is committed to improving health by ensuring the diversity of populations in scientific research.

• Does the study include representation from women and historically underrepresented racial and ethnic populations?
• Is your study group representative of the people who have the condition of interest?
• Are implications for health equity addressed in the study findings?
• Is this study testing a treatment/intervention to improve health outcomes?

Additional information needed when submitting:

• Is this a first-in-human therapeutic trial?
• Is this study testing a treatment/intervention to improve health outcomes?
• Will you be submitting for simultaneous publication?
• Availability of final data
• Trial acronym and marketing description (that does not mention trial results or outcomes)
• Company supporting the trial
• Principal investigator
• Disclosure of Unlabeled/Unapproved Use of Drug or Product

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.

Not acceptable use:

• AI-generated abstract with minimal or no human revision
• AI-generated scientific ideas, claims, data, or conclusions

If your abstract is accepted, the abstract with the overall design and major results that you submitted for consideration may be edited online in preparation for publication in Circulation. Further information with a link to the abstract site will be sent to you from [email protected] when editing is available in early October. The final abstract provided to the American Heart Association will be published in Circulation.

• The Abstract Copyright Transfer Agreement is collected at the time of abstract submission. If you select “Yes,” your abstract will be published in the online Circulation supplement and the online Program Planner. If you select “No,” your abstract will be EXCLUDED from publication in the online Circulation supplement, the Mobile App and the online Program Planner.
• If you submitted an abstract to Scientific Sessions 2026 general abstract submission (April–June) that has the same focus as the abstract submitted to the LBS program, it may only be accepted in one format on the Scientific Sessions 2026 program. If accepted in both the general abstract submission and the LBS submission, please let [email protected] know via email so that we can withdraw the abstract accepted in the general program.

If you submitted an abstract(s) with separate/complementary analyses apart from this trial/presentation, that is acceptable. An abstract submitted to the general abstract submission for consideration in the general program that includes information other than the primary data from the clinical trial may be considered for presentation in the regular program at Scientific Sessions on a case-by-case basis. Please notify [email protected] if another abstract based on the clinical trial was submitted via the regular abstract submission process.

Featured Science: During Late-Breaking Science submission, you have the option to select if your abstract may be considered for a Featured Science Session. This means if your abstract is not selected to be presented in a Late-Breaking Science Sesssion at Scientific Sessions 2026, it may be considered for presentation in a Featured Science Session as an oral presentation. The embargo policy for presentation in a Featured Science Session remains the same as a Late-Breaking Science Session.

Note: Industry announcements required by the SEC (Security Exchange Commission) must be approved by the American Heart Association prior to release and any level of information released without approval will be considered an embargo break. Please reach out to Mary Lu Hare, [email protected] for more information or with any questions.

American Heart Association/ACC/ESC Acceptance/Embargos: Abstracts related to a clinical trial submitted for consideration for presentation at the American Heart Association, American College of Cardiology and European Society of Cardiology cannot be presented at the other two meetings. After acceptance by one of the organizations, that organization’s specific embargo guidelines prevail. An embargo means that results from the trial cannot be presented or announced in any forum prior to presentation at the meeting to which it has been accepted. Violators will be banned from participating in the clinical trials for two full cycles or for two of each organization’s meetings (American Heart Association, ACC or ESC).

American Heart Association Embargo Policies:

Clinical trial results are prohibited from being released until the date and time of the American Heart Association designated embargo time. For late-breaking science and featured science presentations, the embargo time is the date and time of the presentation at Scientific Sessions 2026. Clinical trial sponsors must comply with embargo guidelines established by the American Heart Association.

You are prohibited from sharing written embargoed information with anyone outside of the American Heart Association except for journal manuscript submission.

Important Note: Industry announcements required by the SEC (Security Exchange Commission) must be approved by the American Heart Association prior to release and any level of information released without approval will be considered an embargo break. However, you may conduct one-on-one embargoed media interviews as long as the reporter agrees to abide by the embargo policy.

Failure to honor embargo policies will result in the trial being withdrawn on site and barred from presentation. Failure to honor this embargo policy may also jeopardize future acceptance of clinical trials and presentations at Scientific Sessions. Therefore, it is essential to recognize that presentations at unofficial satellite meetings or unofficial press conferences before the scheduled American Heart Association embargoed media briefings are not allowed. This embargo policy will be strictly enforced.

Submission Period: June 22 – August 24, 2026, 6:00 p.m. CDT/7:00 p.m. EDT

Late-Breaking Basic Science abstracts are described as highly meritorious, high-impact science. These innovative abstracts will provide the latest breakthroughs in basic science, presenting cutting-edge, exciting and pivotal research results. Emphasis will be given to genuine innovation and fundamental, distinctive, novel research. Abstracts will be evaluated based on their impact and novelty.

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 the work submitted is original and all statements declared as facts are 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 individuals 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’s 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 American Heart Association 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 American Heart Association’s scientific or ethical standards may be subject to further review or disqualification.
• All abstract withdrawal requests must be received in writing via email to [email protected] by October 28, 2026, to avoid 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.

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 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 2,500 characters (about 360-630 words).
• Counts towards character limit:
  • Punctuation in the abstract body
  • Text in the abstract body
    
    
• Do not include the following in the abstract body:
  • Title of abstract
  • Names of authors
  • Graphics, images, figures or tables
  • Caption of graphics
  • Spaces in the abstract body

Graphics Guidelines

• All graphics (figures) and text-based graphics (tables) should be provided as 72-300 dpi, pre-sized .BMP, .GIF, .JPG, .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 caption (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
• Please review the author block carefully. Edits cannot be made after the August 24, 6:00 PM CDT/7:00 PM EDT 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 August 24, 2026 6:00 p.m. CDT/7:00 p.m. EDT deadline your abstract submission is 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 August 24, 2026, 6:00 pm CST/7:00 pm EST 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 eight to 10 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, 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-September. 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.
• Please note that it will be mandatory for all poster presentation types to also be submitted as online E-posters before the conference. This will extend the viewership of your science. Should your abstract be selected for a poster presentation, instructions will follow.
• 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 journal supplement.

Embargo Policy

• Late-breaking basic science abstracts and presentations are embargoed for release until date and time of their presentation at Scientific Sessions 2026.
• Written embargoed information cannot be shared with anyone outside of the American Heart Association, 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 American Heart Association Embargo Policy

Recording Policy

• Unauthorized recording of the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions, scientific conferences, and the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association 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 Association 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
• If the use of these technologies has involved the research design, the tools should be documented in the Methods section of the abstract. 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.