ProCardio at ESC 2026: Norwegian heart research on the international stage
With research spanning arrhythmias, disease progression, and risk stratification, international collaborations, and several young researchers on the programme, ProCardio at Oslo University Hospital was highly visible at this year's ESC Congress in Munich.
The ESC Congress is the world's largest congress in cardiology, and this year's meeting gathered more than 30,000 participants from over 150 countries. For the ProCardio research group at Oslo University Hospital, the congress is an important arena for presenting research findings, meeting international collaborators, and keeping up with developments in cardiovascular research and clinical care.
In Munich, ProCardio was represented by a large group of PhD candidates and senior researchers, and the research group contributed with presentations at several of the congress's central arenas.
New findings in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy
Cordelia Hellstrand is a medical student at the University of Oslo and a research track student in ProCardio. The study is conducted under the supervision of senior researcher Isotta Castrini (main supervisor), centre leader Kristina Haugaa (co-supervisor), and senior researcher Nina Hasselberg (co-supervisor).
The study investigates the significance of high-intensity exercise in individuals carrying titin gene variants associated with an increased risk of dilated cardiomyopathy. The presentation provided important insights into the intersection between genetics, physical activity, and cardiovascular disease.
New perspectives on arrhythmic mitral valve prolapse
ProCardio has contributed groundbreaking research on arrhythmic mitral valve prolapse over several years.
The study investigates how the origin of ventricular arrhythmias can help identify patients with mitral valve prolapse who are at increased risk for serious cardiac events. The work is based on long-term cardiac monitoring and demonstrates how more detailed information about the origins of arrhythmias may provide new insight into risk stratification.
The study was also highlighted during the Norwegian Poster Evening, which annually gathers the Norwegian research community to discuss Norwegian contributions at the ESC.
The work was recently published in Heart Rhythm O2. Read the full article here.
ProCardio is also leading efforts to improve better risk prediction for arrhythmias in patients with mitral valve prolapse. During the congress, PhD candidate Robert Bigseth presented MVP-RISK to an international audience, with a clear invitation to centres and researchers interested in contributing to the further development of the international cohort.
Pregnant patients with heart disease
The study investigates the safety of conventional anaesthesia and analgesia during delivery in patients with Brugada syndrome.
International collaboration on laminopathy
LaMinOs is a transatlantic collaborative study between the University of Minnesota and Oslo University Hospital/University of Oslo. The study investigates Lamin A/C cardiomyopathy, a life-threathening genetic heart disease.
Senior researchers contributing to the ESC programme
The senior researchers in ProCardio were also well represented in the scientific programme, both as speakers and as chairs of abstract sessions.
Looking ahead from Munich
After four intensive days in Munich, ProCardio returns home with new research findings, new international connections, and new ideas for work ahead. Participation in ESC 2026 confirms the research group's strong international position and contributes to strengthening the work to improve diagnostics, treatment, and risk stratification for patients with heart disease.
