Inaugural EAPCI Summit 2026 to bridge ESC guidelines and real-world practice in percutaneous cardiovascular interventions

Inaugural EAPCI Summit 2026 to bridge ESC guidelines and real-world practice in percutaneous cardiovascular interventions

(IN BRIEF) The European Association of Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions will hold its first official summit under the European Society of Cardiology in Munich on 19–20 February 2026, bringing together leading and emerging specialists in interventional cardiology to focus on education, latest scientific developments, and integrated patient care. The programme will emphasise translating ESC Clinical Guidelines into real-world practice, include hands-on training and professional development workshops for young professionals, and promote multidisciplinary collaboration through joint sessions with surgical, imaging, nursing, and allied health communities. More than 300 abstracts will be presented, alongside discussions on medical device regulation, innovation, and patient perspectives, positioning the EAPCI Summit as a key event in the cardiology calendar.

(PRESS RELEASE) SOPHIA ANTIPOLIS, 3-Feb-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — The European Association of Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions (EAPCI), operating under the umbrella of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), will hold its inaugural dedicated summit in Munich, Germany on 19–20 February 2026. This marks the first time that EAPCI has organised a standalone summit directly within the ESC framework, reflecting the growing importance of catheter-based cardiovascular treatments in modern medicine.

Percutaneous cardiovascular interventions, which are minimally invasive procedures performed via catheters rather than open-heart surgery, have become an essential component of contemporary cardiovascular care. These techniques, including coronary stenting and transcatheter heart valve repair or replacement, are increasingly used as the prevalence of cardiovascular disease rises alongside an ageing population. The EAPCI Summit 2026 has been designed to bring together leading specialists, early-career professionals, and multidisciplinary experts to advance knowledge, share scientific developments, and promote high-quality patient care across the entire treatment pathway.

According to Professor Thomas F. Lüscher, ESC President and Programme Co-Chair of the summit, the event was created to support the expanding interventional cardiology community by strengthening training, showcasing cutting-edge research, and fostering collaboration among all stakeholders. He emphasised that the summit aims to bridge the gap between clinical guidelines and real-world patient outcomes, ensuring that scientific advancements translate into tangible improvements in care.

A central feature of the two-day programme is an extensive educational component based on the EAPCI Core Curriculum. Professor Alaide Chieffo, EAPCI President and Programme Co-Chair, highlighted that around half of EAPCI members are young professionals. To support their development, the summit will include expert lectures, simulation-based training, hands-on workshops, and sessions focused on professional skills such as scientific writing, grant applications, and leadership.

The summit will also place strong emphasis on the practical implementation of ESC Clinical Guidelines, particularly in relation to valvular heart disease and coronary artery disease. These discussions will be conducted in collaboration with the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS), reinforcing the importance of interdisciplinary cooperation in cardiovascular care.

Integrated, team-based care will be a key theme throughout the event. The programme will highlight the role of the multidisciplinary ‘Heart Team’ approach, which brings together interventional cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, imaging specialists, heart failure experts, and preventive cardiologists to determine the most appropriate treatment strategy for each patient. Dedicated sessions will also recognise the critical contribution of nurses and allied health professionals in managing complex cases in catheterisation laboratories and improving outcomes following procedures such as transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) and percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI).

In addition, the summit will feature more than 300 scientific abstracts and clinical case presentations covering a wide range of topics, including advanced imaging techniques, coronary and structural interventions, post-procedural medical therapy, and emerging medical devices. Participants will also gain insights from patient perspectives, ensuring that discussions remain grounded in real-world experiences.

A dedicated session, developed in collaboration with the ESC Regulatory Affairs Committee, will examine the evolving regulatory landscape for cardiovascular devices in Europe. This will involve dialogue between clinicians, regulators, and industry representatives to explore how innovation can be encouraged while maintaining rigorous safety and efficacy standards.

Professor Lüscher concluded that the EAPCI Summit is intended to become a recurring and influential event within the cardiology community, backed by the collective expertise of ESC’s Associations, Councils, and Working Groups.

Note to editors

About the European Association of Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions (EAPCI)

The ESC’s European Association of Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions (EAPCI) is a community of almost 2,000 members and 8,450 associates who focus on reducing the burden of cardiovascular disease through the use of percutaneous cardiovascular interventions. The association is involved in a range of activities including education, research and advocacy.

About the EAPCI Summit 

The EAPCI Summit 2026 takes place from 19–20 February at MOC – Event Center Messe Munich, Munich, Germany. Explore the scientific programme.  

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About the European Society of Cardiology

The European Society of Cardiology brings together health care professionals from more than 150 countries, working to advance cardiovascular medicine and help people lead longer, healthier lives.

SOURCE: European Society of Cardiology (ESC)