Key Trials to Watch at the ESC Congress 2025 in Madrid

The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Congress 2025, in collaboration with the World Congress of Cardiology, is set to take place in Madrid from August 29 to September 1, 2025. This year’s congress is highly anticipated, showcasing an unprecedented number of pivotal studies that may significantly influence global cardiovascular care. Professor Tomasz Guzik, Chair of the ESC Congress Programme Committee, emphasized the importance of the congress, stating, "Hot Line sessions at ESC Congress reveal long-awaited answers to major clinical questions, often debated for years."

During the congress, a total of 10 Hot Line sessions are scheduled to present findings from over 40 landmark clinical trials. These sessions are designed to provide insights into new treatments, breakthrough procedures, and comparisons between new and established therapies. The congress will particularly focus on global health issues, addressing how cardiovascular diseases are reshaping healthcare priorities around the world.

Among the highlighted trials is the REBOOT-CNIC study, which explores the necessity of long-term beta-blocker therapy in patients with myocardial infarction whose heart function remains preserved. The results could lead to significant changes in treatment protocols, reducing medication burden and associated costs for millions of patients globally. Similarly, trials like NEO-MINDSET, TARGET FIRST, DUAL-ACS, and ALONE-AF investigate the potential benefits of early withdrawal of antiplatelet and anticoagulation therapies to mitigate bleeding risks and streamline treatment regimens.

The PARACHUTE-HF trial targets chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy, a condition affecting 6-7 million individuals, primarily in Latin America. This trial aims to provide the first mortality-based evidence for treatment options in this neglected disease, addressing a growing health concern due to increased migration of affected individuals.

In the realm of heart failure, the DAPA ACT HF-TIMI 68 trial evaluates the initiation of SGLT2 inhibitors during hospitalizations for acute heart failure, which could potentially benefit over 11 million patients worldwide each year. Moreover, the VICTOR and VICTORIA trials expand the role of vericiguat as a once-daily treatment for chronic heart failure.

The congress will also address hypertension, the leading global cause of death. Trials such as BaxHTN and KARDIA-3 are investigating novel therapies that could revolutionize long-term blood pressure management and improve treatment adherence among patients.

This year’s ESC Congress promises to deliver immediate, practice-changing insights for cardiologists, directly impacting patient care and treatment approaches. With the increasing prevalence of cardiovascular diseases worldwide, the outcomes of these trials could reshape the landscape of cardiovascular medicine for years to come.

For more information on the ESC Congress 2025 and its scientific program, participants and interested parties are encouraged to visit the official ESC website. Accredited press will have exclusive access to embargoed materials starting on August 25, with press conferences scheduled to begin on August 28, 2025.