At the latest edition of the American College of Cardiology (ACC) Scientific Sessions, companies reported new clinical findings for technologies including replacement heart valves, atrial appendage closure devices, heart pumps and more.
Companies like Boston Scientific, Medtronic, Edwards and others showcased their latest innovations in cardiology technology.
Many of the same names that dominated last year’s ACC headlines made their mark in 2026, too. Here are the biggest stories out of ACC 2026 in New Orleans:
Trio of Boston Scientific studies makes waves
Watchman FLX
New findings from the CHAMPION-AF trial supported the Boston Scientific Watchman FLX left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) system.
CHAMPION-AF compared Watchman FLX to non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) as a first-line option for stroke risk reduction. It evaluated the system in a broad population of patients with non-valvular AFib.
Find out more about the study here.
Ekos
Other data at ACC shared by Boston Scientific included positive findings from a randomized clinical trial evaluating the Ekos endovascular system.
Ekos provides minimally invasive, ultrasound-facilitated, catheter-directed thrombolysis (USCDT). It delivers a low dose of clot-dissolving medication directly to the blood clot, using ultrasound energy to facilitate the dispersion of the medication deep into the clot to dissolve it.
Ekos plus anticoagulation demonstrated superiority to the current standard of care (anticoagulation alone) for treating acute PE.
Find out more about the study here.
Intravascular ultrasound
Boston Scientific also shared findings from the DK-CRUSH VIII trial at ACC 2026 in New Orleans. It looked at the double kissing (DK) crush technique with the company’s Synergy drug-eluting stent implantation using intravascular ultrasound (IVUS).
The DK-CRUSH VIII trial marks the first-ever “adequately powered” randomized clinical trial for IVUS-guided vs. angio-guided PCI in complex bifurcation lesions using the DK crush technique, the company said in a LinkedIn post. It found that IVUS use led to a 60% reduction in target vessel failure at one year.
Find out more about the study here.
J&J MedTech shares new Impella CP findings
At ACC 2026, J&J shared data demonstrating, for the first time, that supporting the left ventricle (LV) with an Impella CP for more than 40 minutes prior to reperfusion does not reduce or increase heart muscle damage (myocardial infarction).
Overall findings proved neutral, the company said. The primary endpoint did not demonstrate that LV support plus delayed reperfusion reduces heart muscle damage in patients with anterior STEMI without cardiogenic shock compared to PCI alone.
The company said its observations suggest a period of patient stability on Impella CP prior to revascularization. This informs future clinical trials, it said.
Find out more about the study here.
Medtronic has new study results for Symplicity Spyral, AI alerts in TAVR
Symplicity Spyral
At ACC 2026, Medtronic announced the launch of the EMBRACE trial of its Symplicity Spyral renal denervation (RDN) system.
EMBRACE evaluates blood pressure management with RDN in patients undergoing staged percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for advanced coronary artery disease (CAD). The randomized, multi-center trial compares Symplicity Spyral added to staged PCI with staged PCI alone. Patients have uncontrolled hypertension and multi-vessel CAD.
Find out more about the study here.
AI alerts in TAVR
Medtronic’s ALERT trial sought to assess undertreatment and health equity in aortic stenosis (AS) and mitral regurgitation (MR) using an integrated EHR platform, evaluated the use of electronic clinician notifications (ECNs). It found that ECNs significantly improved timely evaluation and treatment for AS and MR. That includes through the use of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).
The study utilized Tempus Next, an AI-enabled care pathway platform. It automatically identifies significant AS or MR patients who may meet guideline-indicated therapy criteria but don’t have a treatment plan in place. ALERT evaluated the impact of EHR notifications generated by Tempus Next.
Find out more about the study here.
Abbott has more positive findings for TriClip
TriClip transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) offers an option for those who aren’t good candidates for surgery and continue to have symptoms or persistent tricuspid regurgitation (TR) despite treatment with medical therapy. Delivered through a vein in the leg, the TriClip TEER technology clips together a portion of leaflets. It repairs the tricuspid valve and helps blood flow in the right direction without the need for open-heart surgery.
Results from the Tri.Fr study demonstrated a significant reduction in HFH risk relative to medical therapy.
Find out more about the study here.
More data backs Edwards Evoque TTVR
The Edwards Evoque features a nitinol self-expanding frame, intra-annular skirt and tissue leaflets made from bovine pericardial tissue. Edwards intends to offer the valve in four sizes (44mm, 48mm, 52mm and 56mm), all delivered through the same low-profile transfemoral 28F system.
New TRISCEND II trial data highlighted confidence in Evoque’s two-year performance.
Find out more about the study here.
Other stories of note:
- Cathworks findings show that angiography-derived FFRangio AI technology improves resource utilization and reduces procedure time.
- CorVista study backs physiologic signal–based machine-learning model for detecting cardiac ischemia.
- Pie Medical trial confirms non-inferiority of revascularization guided by CAAS vFFR to revascularization guided by pressure wire-based FFR
- Emboline embolic protection system meets endpoints in TAVR study.
