The American College of Cardiology (ACC) and the Colombian Society of Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery will host the ACC Latin America 2026 conference on September 17-19 in Medellín, Colombia. The conference will bring together experts and cardiovascular clinicians from around Latin America and the United States to examine emerging the latest cardiovascular science and evidence-based strategies for improving global heart health spanning the entire field of cardiovascular medicine.
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death globally, with the greatest burden in low, low-middle and middle socio-demographic regions. An updated report on the global burden of cardiovascular diseases in 204 countries and territories was published in JACC in 2025.
Partnering with the American College of Cardiology is an important opportunity to strengthen collaboration and advance cardiovascular care across Latin America. Hosting the conference in Colombia brings leading experts and the latest scientific knowledge closer to our regional cardiovascular community. It also provides a platform to showcase the expertise, research and perspectives emerging from Colombia and Latin America. We are especially excited about the exchange of ideas and experiences among colleagues from across the region and around the world. We look forward to welcoming the cardiovascular community to Medellín and working together to improve heart health for all."
Clara Inés Saldarriaga Giraldo, MD, FACC, ACC Latin America 2026 co-chair and past president of the Colombia Society of Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery
The conference will bring together the cardiology care team to share knowledge, exchange perspectives and explore innovations shaping the future of heart health. Attendees will engage experts on the clinical issues most relevant to patient care today, while gaining insight into strategies that can help address the unique challenges facing Latin America. Among the key sessions:
- Critical Care Cardiology in Latin America: Expert-Led Education to Meet Regional Needs
- AI in Cardiology: What's Real, What's Ready and What's Next
- An Integrated Challenge in Subclinical Primary Prevention: Heart (The Young) and Brain (The Elderly)
At Convocation, the ACC will also recognize individuals from throughout the region who have earned the distinguished Fellow of the ACC (FACC) designation. This prestigious credential recognizes a commitment to improving patient care and outcomes.
"ACC Latin America conferences help connect regional and global expertise so we can better serve patients across diverse communities. I'm looking forward to the 2026 meeting in Medellín as we mark a decade of collaboration focused on transforming cardiovascular care for all," said Juan C. Lopez-Mattei, MD, FACC, ACC Latin America 2026 co-chair. "I'm excited for the opportunity to engage with colleagues from across Latin America and around the world as we share cutting-edge science, practical education and innovative approaches to improving cardiovascular care."
Participants will also have the opportunity to share and learn about new science from across the region as part of the abstract and case presentations. Three ACC Latin America Chapter teams, each made up of three Fellows-in-Training (FITs), will also compete in ACC FIT Jeopardy, where contestants are quizzed in a gameshow-like setting on a variety of topics, such as imaging, prevention and interventional cardiology. The winning team will compete at the ACC Annual Scientific Session (ACC.27) in Houston in April 2027.
Clinical cases and poster presentations
The following list provides a brief look at the clinical cases and posters to be presented during ACC Latin America 2026. All clinical cases and poster abstracts are embargoed until Thursday, September 17, 2026, at 7 a.m. Colombia Time/8 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time.
- Ultra-Processed Food Consumption and Incident Cardiovascular Disease: An Updated Dose-Response Meta-analysis with Food Subcategory Risk Stratification
- Biomass Smoke Exposure and Cardiovascular Outcomes Across Rural and Urban Mexican Regions: A Multi-Regional Cross-Sectional Study
- Sex Disparities Among Young STEMI Patients Across Latin America
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