From January 29 through February 1, cardiothoracic surgeons from across the country and around the world will convene at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, for the 62nd STS Annual Meeting.
Under the banner “Teaching for Tomorrow Together,” this year’s meeting promises not only a deep dive into new data and clinical debates but also an upgraded, multisensory learning experience designed to engage surgeons at every career stage.
According to Marc Pelletier, MD, chair of the STS Workforce on Annual Meeting, the 2026 program reflects an unprecedented level of scientific activity and renewed focus on training the next generation. This year’s record-breaking number of abstract submissions—more than 1,170—signals “the growing depth and innovation across all subspecialties,” he said.
But the volume is only part of the story. What makes this meeting different, Dr. Pelletier emphasized, is how the science will be delivered and how the Society is harnessing data to answer the specialty’s most pressing questions.
One major distinction is the elevated role of research derived from the STS National Database. Describing it as “one of the most incredible aspects of the Society,” Dr. Pelletier noted that attendees will see several large-scale, real-world studies that have mined millions of patient records to illuminate trends in cardiac, thoracic, and congenital care.
“Randomized trials are important,” he said, “but the STS Database allows us to look at what’s actually happening to patients. That real-world perspective can sometimes lead to very different insights.” This year’s scientific program places some of its strongest emphasis yet on high-quality clinical outcomes research.
The meeting will also feel different. Nearly 30% of attendees will be trainees, a proportion Dr. Pelletier believes is unmatched by any major cardiothoracic meeting worldwide. With that responsibility in mind, the program includes new education-forward features such as digital session moderators (students and residents who curate live questions through the meeting app) and a dramatic expansion of video-based learning.
“Cardiac and thoracic surgeons are, by nature, visual,” he said. “We’ve more than tripled the amount of video content. In some sessions, it’s all video, giving attendees a chance to actually see how experts perform these procedures safely and effectively.” These videos will also contribute to the Society’s growing surgical video library, a long-term learning resource for members.
In this preview, we highlight practice-changing science and bring you insights from the surgeon-leaders who shaped the agenda for STS 2026, a meeting that will be defined by innovation, data-driven discovery, and a renewed commitment to teaching for tomorrow.
Spotlight on Top Science Abstracts
Thoracic Surgery: Stephanie Worrell, MD, Subspecialty Chair
While thoracic surgery sessions at past STS Annual Meetings emphasized the extent of resection for early-stage lung cancer, Stephanie Worrell, MD, said that this year’s data dives deep into nodal staging and tailored surgery for screening-detected nodules. Leading studies include:
- Comparing Nodal Upstaging Rates and Morbidity of ACS Commission on Cancer Operative Standard 5.8 Versus Other Common Sampling Guidelines in the STS General Thoracic Surgery Database. This study addresses how different nodal sampling standards affect outcomes and upstaging.
- Association Between Nodal Assessment, Upstaging, and Survival in Resected Clinically Node-negative Non-small Cell Lung Cancer. Here, the focus is on the nodal upstaging and how it correlates with survival.
- Oncological and Surgical Outcome Differences in Never-Smoker Women Compared to Ever-Smoker Women and Men. This study represents a provocative subgroup analysis with implications for screening, surgery, and outcomes.
Adult Cardiac Surgery: Moritz C. Wyler von Ballmoos, MD, PhD, MPH, Subspecialty Chair
“The current era in adult cardiac surgery increasingly demands evidence-based, data-driven decision-making for patients with structural heart disease, coronary artery disease, aortic pathology, and other complex conditions,” says Moritz C. Wyler von Ballmoos, MD. “We’re seeing exciting new studies reflecting that focus, ranging from randomized clinical trials to landmark analyses that leverage the rich data of the STS Adult Cardiac Surgery Database in combination with other registries. We’re asking about the true advantages and limitations of different treatment strategies, and how we can best follow patients to ensure the best possible outcomes.”
Dr. Wyler von Ballmoos recommends these adult cardiac surgery presentations as standout sessions:
- Optimal Management for Moderate Aortic Stenosis at the Time of Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting. This abstract offers evidence to guide the tough decision-making scenario of moderate AS and CABG.
- Advanced Prediction Models for Transcatheter Aortic Valve Explant in the US. Learn about the emerging wave of TAVR explants and large database modeling.
- Is Degenerative Mitral Repair Superior to Replacement in Patients Aged >65 Years? This study utilizes the STS Adult Cardiac Surgery Database to assess the repair benefit in older cohorts.
Congenital Heart Surgery: Joseph W. Turek, MD, PhD, MBA, Subspecialty Chair
According to Joseph W. Turek, MD, new science leading the way in congenital heart surgery represents “complex patient populations and emerging technologies” and underscores a shift in patient care: “moving beyond surgical repairs and outcomes to risk-modeling, transplant innovation and impact on lifespans.” Leading research in this area includes:
- Extended Validation of an Institutional Machine Learning Model for Postoperative Morbidity and Mortality Risk in Adult Congenital Heart Disease Patients Undergoing Cardiac Reoperation. This AI-driven analysis targets a notoriously heterogeneous adult congenital cohort and aims to refine risk stratification for re-operative surgery.
- On-Table Reanimation: Technical Approach for Donation After Circulatory Death (DCD) Heart Procurement and Assessment. This presentation will explore a novel procurement strategy for DCD hearts, with implications for donor-pool expansion and ethics in heart transplantation.
Critical Care & Peri-operative Science: Rakesh Arora, MD, Subspecialty Chair
Rakesh Arora, MD, believes that the heightened attention to new science in critical and perioperative care sends a strong message that these specialties are a core part of the surgical learning agenda, especially for ICU, anesthesia, enhanced recovery, and hybrid care teams. He calls these sessions especially noteworthy :
- STS and Society of Cardiac Anesthesiologists joint Expert Consensus Document on the Management of Direct Oral Anticoagulants (DOACs). This joint statement seeks to provide actionable perioperative guidance for adult cardiac surgical patients on DOACs.
- Impact of Expedited Discharge on 30-Day Readmission Following Lung Resection: A National Comparison of RATS and VATS. This study highlights important perioperative and recovery-care pathways in minimally invasive thoracic surgery.
A Meeting with More Dimensions
Beyond the content at STS 2026, the Society is amping up its multisensory learning approach by integrating intentional audience engagements throughout the sessions. In addition to the digital session moderators and expanded use of video, attendees will experience lively debates, interactive installations, and worst-case scenario formats.
“We’ve curated a multidisciplinary group of experts from related fields, offering the most up-to-date insights into the rapidly evolving landscape of cardiothoracic surgery. Yet, the key to success is our emphasis on active participation this year,” said J. Hunter Mehaffey, MD, vice chair of the STS Workforce on Annual Meeting. “Attendees will have the opportunity to engage in a truly multisensory approach to surgical education and practice the latest techniques in real time.”
Dr. Mehaffey added that everybody learns differently, and this elevated focus on how people learn and engage is built around that principle.
Science + Community = Advancement
Cardiothoracic surgery thrives when science meets community, and that community extends well beyond the operating room.
The STS Workforce on Annual Meeting encourages members to bring their care teams, from perioperative staff to perfusionists to trainees, to take full advantage of the collaborative learning environment.
When surgeons come together with their care teams, they not only deepen their understanding of new research but also strengthen the systems that put the science into practice.
These shared learning experiences accelerate the adoption of new techniques, improve outcomes, and create a unified approach to patient care. By thinking beyond the OR and embracing the full care continuum, teams transform scientific knowledge into real-world advancements that benefit patients everywhere.