TCTMD’s Top 10 Most Popular Stories for August 2026

Nearly all of our most-read stories this month relate to a single meeting—the European Society of Cardiology Congress (ESC) 2026 in Munich, Germany—but several other topics stood out as well. At the top was an obituary in memory of cardiac surgeon David Taggart, MD, who will no doubt leave a mark on the field. Top-line findings from the ZEUS trial drew in readers and sparked debate, one that’s far from finished, about whether treating inflammation can reduce CV risk.

Like the ESC Congress itself, TCTMD’s coverage thus far has run the gamut, from complete revascularization in STEMI to choices in antithrombotic therapy, statins in the elderly, tricuspid valve intervention, antibiotic duration after infective endocarditis, and a success story for nonobstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. There’s much more to come.

1. David Taggart, Cardiac Surgeon and ‘Staunch Truthteller,’ Dies at 69

Known for his honesty and for igniting controversy, Taggart will be remembered for always putting patient interests first.

2. ESC 2026 What’s Going to Be Hot at ESC 2026

Held this year in Munich, the 4-day meeting offered no fewer than 59 Hot Line presentations, with a special emphasis on artificial intelligence.

3. ZEUS Trial: Ziltivekimab Fails to Reduce MACE in ASCVD Patients

The drug lowered free IL-6 and hs-CRP levels but didn’t affect outcomes, a Novo Nordisk press release announced, with the findings raising doubts about the inflammatory hypothesis.

4. ESC 2026 STAREE: Statins Cut MACE Risk by 30% in Older Adults With No CVD History

While there was no change in disability-free survival, the results should impact guidelines, says François Mach.

5. ESC 2026 AIR-STEMI: Angiography-Derived FFR Informs Complete PCI in STEMI

The study supports a strategy of going wire-free for functional assessment in this setting and may well be “practice changing.”

6. ESC 2026 TRIC-I-HF Scores Big Clinical Wins for TTVR in High-risk Patients

As the first TTVR trial to impact HF hospitalization and mortality, it “feels like a COAPT-like moment,” says Mohamad Alkhouli.

7. ESC 2026 DOACs Benefit AF Patients With Intermediate Stroke Risk: SINGLE-AF

Because of the low number of events in the trial, the findings are thought-provoking but not definitive, one expert says.

8. ESC 2026 Prasugrel by Default in ACS Patients Post-PCI Lowers Bleeding With No Ischemic Penalty

SWITCH-SWEDEHEART’s unique design randomized healthcare regions, but wasn’t a head-to-head comparison with ticagrelor.

9. ESC 2026 POET II Supports Shorter Antibiotic Course in Infective Endocarditis

Compared with standard treatment, an abbreviated regimen was associated with more relapses but didn’t compromise safety.

10. ESC 2026 Aficamten Wins in Nonobstructive Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: ACACIA-HCM

The findings open the door to regulatory approval for this patient group without other treatment options.

* * *

Be sure to check out our ongoing coverage of ESC 2026 over the next week or so, as well as our many video interviews and podcasts. The latest addition is our Cardialogue video series featuring cardiologists from around the world, who share candid conversations and personal takes on practice with their colleagues.