TCTMD’s Top 10 Most Popular Stories for September 2026

For September, it’s yet again clear that TCTMD readers are keen to learn about the breadth of news across cardiology: from structural heart procedures to coronary procedures and medical therapy. Much of our top content—but notably not all—came from late-breaking trials presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress 2026, held in Munich, Germany. 

Cardiologists have their eyes not only on the latest research, but also on the future. This month’s most-read story on TCTMD covered the US Food and Drug Administration’s first approval of an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered ECG model for the detection of acute MI. Close behind was the news that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services finalized anticipated updates to its national coverage of TAVI. And finally, there was a disappointment, with Novartis announcing that its drug pelacarsen, which targets lipoprotein(a), failed to improve cardiovascular outcomes in the Lp(a)HORIZON phase III trial.

1. FDA Clears First AI-ECG Model for Acute MI Detection

Multiple US health systems have been awaiting the authorization before taking the Queen of Hearts platform live.

2. 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.

3. CMS Finalizes Anticipated Updates to National Coverage of TAVI

Asymptomatic patients will now be covered and more flexibility has been given to heart teams for individualizing patient care.

4. 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.”

5. ESC 2026 TARGET-CTCA: When MI’s Already Ruled Out in Chest Pain, Imaging Doesn’t Add Much

The lack of impact on outcomes was surprising, says the investigator, though the FAST-CTCA trial may still come through.

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

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

7. ESC 2026 Updated ESC Heart Failure Guideline Brings Big Changes

HF with mildly reduced EF is gone, stages are updated, and new classifications for medical and interventional therapies are introduced.

8. Lp(a)HORIZON: Top-line Results Dash Hopes for Pelacarsen

Novartis announced that the phase III CV outcomes trial did not meet its primary endpoint, raising doubts over Lp(a)’s role.

9. 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.

10. 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.

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Heading into October, the TCTMD journalists—and you—have a lot to look forward to in terms of conference news. L.A. McKeown is headed to the VIVA meeting in Las Vegas, NV, to cover developments in vascular care, and Yael L. Maxwell is set to cover the European Society of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery annual meeting in Barcelona, Spain. By the end of the month, the entire team will be at TCT in San Diego, CA. Do say hello!

In the meantime, be sure to check out our latest Heart Sounds and Hearts & Minds podcasts for a more personal take on cardiovascular medicine.