Several studies from AHA 2026 exploring topics like precision screening for elevated lipoprotein(a), emerging cardio-oncology biomarkers, translational models for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), and sex differences in heart failure (HF) are among the simultaneous publications included in JACC Journals. Highlights from key studies published in JACC: Advances, JACC: Basic to Translational Science and JACC: Heart Failure are below.

In a brief report published in JACC: Heart Failure, Yasuhiro Hamatani, MD, et al., analyzed data from four major trials to assess whether men and women with HF with mildly reduced ejection fraction (HFmrEF)/HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), experience different health status impairments. Overall findings showed that women with HFmrEF/HFpEF had worse health status than men, with broad impairment across health status items and no attenuation over time.

Research published in JACC: Advances from Nicholas S. Wilcox, MD, and Bonnie Ky, MD, MSCE, FACC, et al., evaluated the longitudinal trajectory of GDF-15 and its associations with changes in cardiac function and structure following cardiotoxic cancer therapy in women with breast cancer. Findings showed that early increases in GDF-15 in women receiving anthracycline- and/or trastuzumab-based breast cancer therapy were associated with modest declines in left ventricular ejection fraction and worsening of longitudinal strain, without associations with diastolic measures.

Research published in JACC: Advances evaluated the relationship of left atrial (LA) biomarkers to LA epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) and peripheral biomarkers. Based on the results, Gianluca Iacobellis, MD; Jeffrey J. Goldberger, MD, FACC, et al., said the "differences between pre-ablation peripheral and LA blood biomarkers may reflect changes in EAT and atrial myocardium metabolism and structure, suggesting LA biomarkers may be more relevant to atrial remodeling than peripheral biomarker levels."

Original science published in JACC: Basic to Translational Science addresses human living myocardial slices, a new approach methodology, for Load-Dependent Pharmacologic Testing in HCM. Rebecca B. Taichman, MD, et al., found that SGLTi and ketones have distinct and discordant effects on contractility. "Future studies with longer-term drug exposure will be needed to define the mechanisms governing potentially favorable effects of SGLTi in HCM," they write.

Explore more simultaneously published research through the JACC Journals at AHA event page, and visit ACC's AHA 2026 Meeting Coverage page for additional studies, clinical insights and news from the meeting.

Clinical Topics: Cardiovascular Care Team, Dyslipidemia, Heart Failure and Cardiomyopathies, Advanced Lipid Testing, Lipid Metabolism, Acute Heart Failure

Keywords: AHA Annual Scientific Sessions, AHA26, Cardio-oncology, Heart Failure, Ventricular Function, Left, Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic, Lipoprotein(a)