Symposia and Early Career programming kick off Day 1
Focused educational sessions on Friday, Nov. 6, provide a great launchpad for the next three days of #ScientificSessions26.
On Friday, Nov. 6, choose from subject-specific symposia to kick off Scientific Sessions 2026.
The following offerings will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Space is limited. When you register, select which events you plan to attend.
Special Programs are in-person only.
Innovation Forum NEW for 2026
8 a.m.-6 p.m. | Friday, Nov. 6
The American Heart Innovation Forum is a one-day, high-energy experience designed to help clinicians, scientists and innovators turn ideas into impact. Through candid conversations with founders, investors and industry leaders, participants will explore the real-world path from discovery to startup across cardiovascular and brain health. Explore agenda and more.
QCOR at Sessions
8 a.m.- 5 p.m. | Friday, Nov. 6
The QCOR at Scientific Sessions 2026 is a 1-day program that will be of interest to clinicians, researchers, medical students and trainees, nurses, pharmacists, administrators, healthcare and managed care professionals, policymakers and other professionals interested in the quality of care and outcomes research in cardiovascular disease and stroke.
Bioengineering in Cardiovascular Health BCVS Symposium
9:45 a.m.-4:15 p.m. | Friday, Nov. 6
This cutting-edge 4-part symposium highlights the breakthroughs driving the future of cardiac repair and regeneration, from molecular discovery to patient care. Featuring leaders in cardiovascular biology, RNA science and bioengineering, the program explores targeted regenerative strategies, advanced delivery platforms, RNA-based mechanisms and engineering, and novel technologies — including engineered tissues, smart biomaterials and AI-enabled therapy design. Spanning basic, translational and clinical science, showcasing how innovative approaches are accelerating the journey from bench to bedside. With strong scientific impact and global representation, it serves as a model for inclusive, forward-looking cardiovascular research.
Heart/Kidney Symposium
9:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m. | Friday, Nov. 6
The Heart-Kidney Symposium will spotlight novel therapeutic targets to lower cardiovascular risk in individuals with chronic kidney disease, including inflammation, eicosanoid signaling, potassium homeostasis and metabolic reprogramming. The Symposium will also explore the cardiovascular implications of emerging therapies in chronic kidney disease.
Early Career
11 a.m.-6 p.m. | Friday, Nov. 6
The American Heart Association is committed to the next generation of clinicians and researchers by offering programs to facilitate your career growth and development. If you are a student, trainee, fellow or are early in your career, this is designed for you.
From Discovery to Delivery: Translating Cardiovascular Innovation into Scalable Global Impact
Friday, Nov. 6 – Monday, Nov. 9
Global Impact sessions explore how breakthrough cardiovascular science moves from discovery to real-world implementation across diverse health systems and geographies. Building on the Main Event program, these sessions look at cardiovascular innovation through a global health lens, with a focus on collaboration, access, equity and sustainable impact.
Attendees will hear from global leaders and partners about scalable approaches that can help improve cardiovascular outcomes around the world. The program includes the prestigious Paul Dudley White International Lecture, delivered by Patrick W. Serruys, MD, PhD, along with a distinguished lineup of speakers representing the American Heart Association’s global partners.
Genomic and Precision Medicine Symposium: Cardiovascular Gene Therapy
1:15-6 p.m. | Friday, Nov. 6
Gene therapies for genetic cardiovascular disease have been approved by the FDA for a subset of conditions, and several more are in clinical trials. These therapies hold enormous promise for precision medicine, but optimization of therapies (delivery and cargo), clinical implementation strategies, and communication between stakeholders remain critical issues that deserve robust discussion. This GPM Symposium aims to provide a forum for those discussions, during which cardiologists and trainees across the spectrum of genetics knowledge can learn from academic and industry experts at the leading edge of this field.
The following programming requires an additional registration fee. Special Programs are in-person only.
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Medical Society (HCMS) Scientific Sessions
7 a.m.-7:30 p.m. | Friday, Nov. 6
This focused program brings together leading physicians, researchers, and healthcare professionals dedicated to advancing the science and care of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). This event showcases cutting-edge clinical research and fosters collaboration and education.
Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic (CKM) Symposium
1-5 p.m., Friday, Nov. 6
This half-day program provides clinicians with practical, guideline-informed strategies for the prevention and management of cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome following the release of the first AHA/ACC clinical practice guideline. Through targeted lectures and interactive case-based sessions, participants will learn to apply CKM staging, risk assessment and coordinated care principles in real-world practice.
