My ESC News:update

My ESC
News

1 July 2026 - A Weekly Update of ESC Events & Resources

European Heart Journal - Quality of Care and Clinical Outcomes: Temporal changes in guideline-directed medical therapy score and clinical outcomes in patients with heart failure

Optimisation of guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) is a cornerstone of heart failure (HF) management. The implementation of guideline-recommended therapies based on the results of numerous randomised trials, including the so-called "fantastic four" (renin-angiotensin system inhibitors, beta-blockers, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, and SGLT2 inhibitors), has been a major driver of improvements in heart failure treatment (HFT). A GDMT score was developed to quantify both the use and intensification of GDMT. The score proposed by the authors incorporated the use and dosing of guideline-recommended therapies, including quadruple therapy, ivabradine, and vericiguat.

The authors found that the GDMT score revealed suboptimal implementation and intensification of GDMT. Greater increases in the GDMT score were associated with improved clinical outcomes.

Read the article

Cardiovascular Science

ESC journals - recent articles

Enjoy free access today to:

European Heart Journal: Genetic screening of children for familial hypercholesterolaemia: the VRONI study. Discover
European Heart Journal: Blood aldosterone concentrations and effects of mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists in heart failure. Discover
Cardiovascular Research: Association of HDL cholesterol, apolipoprotein AI, and E concentrations with foetal growth and placental insufficiency. Discover
European Heart Journal - Cardiovascular Imaging: Echocardiographic drag effect index and its association with response to mavacamten in obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Discover
European Journal of Preventive Cardiology: Exercise blood pressure relative to fitness in male elite athletes: stage-specific response patterns and athlete-specific reference limits. Discover
European Heart Journal Open: Overview of methodology and characteristics of national acute coronary syndrome registries in high income countries: a scoping review. Discover
European Heart Journal - Digital Health: Artificial intelligence and the evolution of the electrocardiogram: from cardiovascular diagnostic tool to digital biomarker. Discover

ESC Journal Family – 2025 Impact Factors just released

Congratulations to the Editors-in-Chief and their teams for their outstanding contribution to the ESC Journal Family. This year highlights the exceptional performance of the European Heart Journal, as well as the first Impact Factor for EHJ Open, marking an important milestone. Discover the 2025 Impact Factors.

European Heart Journal – Imaging Methods and Practice

Call for papers

Submit your research by 1 November for our special issue on multimodality imaging in cardiovascular disease in women. Contribute to advancing evidence and clinical practice.

News from Our Communities

What is the cardiologist of the future?

What will it take to be a cardiologist in the age of AI? ESC President Thomas Lüscher explores how artificial intelligence is transforming cardiovascular medicine, from diagnosis and imaging to education and patient care, and highlights the skills that will define the cardiologists of tomorrow. Read the European Heart Journal article.

Spotlight on Ireland

As Ireland prepares for its next EU Council Presidency, cardiologists are calling for a National Cardiovascular Health Plan, stronger prevention measures and action on vaping. Read more about how Ireland’s upcoming Council Presidency could help drive progress in cardiovascular care, equity and outcomes across Ireland and Europe.

Strong start for new basic science course

The first ESC Fund Basic Cardiovascular Science Course was a tremendous success, bringing together 50 early-career researchers from 20 countries. This one-week course will continue in the autumn with placements in leading European labs, helping build the next generation of cardiovascular scientists. The course was made possible thanks to ESC Fund philanthropic partners.

Post of the Week

Education and Career Development

ESC Cardio Talk podcast

Cancer and heart failure: prevalence, incidence, and prognosis in Scotland

With Florian A. Wenzl, University of Zurich, Zurich (Switzerland), Alexander Lyon, Royal Brompton Hospital, London (UK) and David Adlam, University of Leicester, Leicester (UK). Listen to the podcast.

Will you be the next Fellow of the ESC?

If your achievements, expertise and patient care in cardiovascular medicine stand out, we encourage you to join the Fellows of the ESC (FESC) community. As a FESC, you become part of a prestigious global network shaping the future of the field.

Applications are now being accepted for 2027 ESC Fellowship. We are committed to fostering a diverse FESC community, so we especially encourage women to apply. Find out more and apply.

ESC TV Today – updates and insights from the experts

What is the optimal serum potassium level in heart failure? Milton Packer reviews its impact on outcomes, recent trial data, and practical management advice.

How can intracoronary imaging improve PCI outcomes? Lorenz Raeber highlights the latest guidance and evidence for IVUS and OCT, and explores the future of image-guided PCI. Watch now.

Image of the Week

This week’s image was submitted by Dr. Fayez Al-Zubair, MD, FACC, and Bashayer Al Mutairi, Heart Health Center, King Saud Medical City, Riyadh First Health Cluster, Saudi Arabia.

You are reviewing a colour M-mode echocardiogram through the mitral valve in a patient with chronic primary mitral regurgitation. The image demonstrates a vena contracta width of 15 mm. According to the 2025 ESC/EACTS Guidelines for the Management of Valvular Heart Disease, which statement is correct?

See your choices and submit your answer

Do you have an interesting case to share? Submit it today

Upcoming webinar

TODAY, 1 July: Delivering early access to innovation in structural heart disease intervention. Register

Congresses

ESC Congress 2026
28–31 August
Munich & Online

Meet the people behind cardiology’s transformation

#ESCCongress is where the leaders who have shaped cardiovascular care and inspired generations of clinicians and researchers come together – and where you can engage with them directly.

Ask questions, hear perspectives and take practical insight back to your work.

See the experts who will be there and register before 31 July to benefit from the Late Fee savings.

EAPCI 2027
18–20 February
Milan, Italy

Grow with the science. Grow with the community.

Building on the success of the EAPCI Summit, #EAPCI27 has evolved into a congress, uniting the Heart Team for more science, practical learning and multidisciplinary exchange.

The call for science is now open. Submit your abstract and clinical case to contribute to the discussions shaping intervention.