Impactful innovations reshape learning and technology at ACC.26
Innovation in both technology and education took center stage at the American College of Cardiology (ACC) 2026 Scientific Sessions, where organizers leaned heavily into Artificial intelligence (AI), interactive learning and hands-on experiences to reshape how cardiology professionals engage with new science.
“What we started doing four years ago was actually using data to guide the decisions about how we make this meeting, and then optimize their learning when we’re here," said Kathryn Berlacher, MD, MS, FACC, chair of the meeting and clinical director of cardiology at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, in the above video interview with Cardiovascular Business.
Data-driven, interactive learning takes priority at ACC
A major shift at this year’s meeting was the deliberate move away from passive lectures toward highly interactive education. Organizers used attendee data, including RFID tracking, surveys and heat mapping, to understand how participants navigate sessions and what formats drive engagement.
That insight translated into expanded hands-on programming, including simulation-heavy “personalized skill zones” and even team-based escape rooms designed around clinical cases.
“We know that learning science tells us that when learners interact with things rather than sit passively and observe, they actually retain a lot more information,” Berlacher explained.
Even traditional sessions were redesigned to encourage participation, while informal spaces on the exhibit floor fostered discussion and peer-to-peer learning.
AI advances from ponderous hype to practical tool
AI was a dominant theme across the conference, spanning clinical care, research and operational strategy. Dedicated sessions explored everything from governance and financial considerations to real-world clinical applications.
Berlacher said AI is increasingly being positioned as a solution to information overload, particularly in applying complex clinical guidelines.
"One of the interesting things is our use of AI, and this was the theme of our intensive this year. We had three different sessions, one on clinical implications of use, one on financing and governance of AI, and three, the research of AI. And when we think about guidelines, AI is like such a wonderful place to ask, 'Tell me what's most important of the guidelines. Apply these guidelines to this patient, what should I be doing?'" Berlacher explained.
She said AI is making it easier to quickly find relevant clinical information rather than reading through more than 100 pages of guidelines.
With nearly 200 FDA-cleared cardiology AI algorithms now available, clinicians are being urged not only to adopt these tools but also to critically evaluate their utility.
“Just because things are here doesn’t mean that they’re necessarily useful. Just because something's not here yet doesn't mean that it won't be useful. Our job is to really help everybody learn how to utilize these, choose these, implement them into their day-to-day practice,” she added.
The ACC also embedded AI into its own meeting app, allowing attendees to navigate sessions and content more efficiently.
Live CCTA imaging takes the spotlight
In a first for a major cardiology meeting, attendees could undergo live coronary CT angiography (CCTA) scans onsite, highlighting both the technology’s growing accessibility and its integration with AI tools. Berlacher said the scanning quickly drew a long line of attendees to experience this advanced cardiac imaging with FFR-CT and plaque analysis firsthand. There was a mobile semitruck-based CT system in the expo hall that performed 18 scans a day on attendees.
Meanwhile the ACC's popular free blood testing included lipoprotein (a) screening. This too attracted long lines of resourceful attendee/patients.
In sessions, Berlacher added that CCTA has become a popular topic, and speakers covered not only clinical applications but also reimbursement policies and advocacy actions.
“We’re not just talking about the science but also how can we get this tool to our patients and get it paid for in their state,” she explained.
Big hits: Guidelines and real-world applications
Newly released dyslipidemia guidelines emerged as one of the hottest topics in sessions at the meeting, drawing large crowds eager for practical implementation strategies. To address the challenge of digesting lengthy clinical documents, also ACC introduced smaller, more intimate “AfterChat” sessions where attendees could directly question guideline authors.
“When you get to sit and chat with the people who wrote those guideline, those are things that are incredibly valuable,” Berlacher said.
The meeting also emphasized concise, actionable summaries of guidelines, reflecting a broader trend toward CliffsNotes-style education for busy clinicians.
Dave Fornell has covered healthcare for more than 17 years, with a focus in cardiology and radiology. Fornell is a 5-time winner of a Jesse H. Neal Award, the most prestigious editorial honors in the field of specialized journalism. The wins included best technical content, best use of social media and best COVID-19 coverage. Fornell was also a three-time Neal finalist for best range of work by a single author. He produces more than 100 editorial videos each year, most of them interviews with key opinion leaders in medicine. He also writes technical articles, covers key trends, conducts video hospital site visits, and is very involved with social media. E-mail: [email protected]