Abstract Submission

ABSTRACT SUBMISSION GUIDELINES 

Abstracts must be submitted via the official ESTS Congress abstract submission website. Faxed or emailed abstracts will not be considered. 

Please read the submission rules carefully before submitting an abstract. 

GENERAL SUBMISSION RULES

1. Maximum number of presentations

Each participant may present a maximum of five presentations. There is no limit to the number of abstracts one person may submit. The submission system will notify submitters if the designated presenter has reached the maximum of five presentations. Submitters and co-authors may be listed on an unlimited number of abstracts.

2. Co-author approval

The presenting author is responsible for ensuring that all co-authors are aware of and approve the content of the abstract before submission.

3. Presenting author

The presenting author must be listed as the first author.

4. Originality of submitted research

Submitted abstracts should contain original, scientifically relevant data that have not previously been published in full in a peer-reviewed journal. 

Abstracts reporting high-quality, clinically relevant research, randomized controlled trials, prospective multicentre studies, large collaborative registries, innovative surgical techniques, and translational research are particularly encouraged. 

Publication of a study protocol or trial registration does not preclude abstract submission. Previous presentation or publication of preliminary data does not automatically exclude submission of substantially updated results, provided that the new information is clearly identified.

5. Previously presented abstracts and geographic encore presentations

ESTS welcomes original scientific contributions as well as selected geographic encore presentations of important research previously presented at major international scientific meetings. 

Geographic encore presentations may be considered under the following conditions: 

⦿ The research was previously presented at a major scientific meeting and the ESTS Congress provides an opportunity to disseminate the findings to a substantially different geographic audience. 

⦿ The submitting author must disclose the name, location, and date of the previous meeting. 

⦿ The scientific content, including study population and results, must be accurately represented. Any new analyses or updated results must be clearly identified. 

⦿ Acceptance is subject to the discretion of the ESTS Scientific Programme Committee, based on scientific quality, relevance, and educational value. 

⦿ Geographic encore abstracts will generally not be eligible for original-research awards and may be assigned to dedicated or other appropriate scientific sessions. 

Previously presented research must not be submitted as original or unpublished work without appropriate disclosure. Repeated presentations at thoracic meetings without substantial new findings will generally not be accepted.

6. Language requirements

All abstracts must be submitted and presented in clear English, with accurate grammar and spelling suitable for scientific publication. Authors are encouraged to arrange professional or institutional language review where necessary before submission.

7. Symbols and abbreviations

Symbols should be submitted as words wherever required by the submission system. Abbreviations must be defined at first mention.

8. Abstract publication

All abstracts accepted for presentation will be published on the Congress website before the meeting. 

The timing of public abstract release may be adjusted for selected late-breaking clinical trials or embargoed research, subject to approval by the Scientific Programme Committee and in accordance with applicable journal or trial publication policies.

9. Correspondence

All correspondence regarding abstract acceptance and presentation will be sent to the designated presenting author. It is therefore recommended that the submitting author and presenting author provide the same contact details.

10. Awards

Candidates eligible for scientific awards must carefully review the specific award criteria and submit all required supporting documents. 

Scientific awards will prioritize methodological rigor, originality, clinical relevance, and the potential to advance thoracic surgical practice. Additional distinctions may be offered for outstanding clinical trials, translational research, and collaborative multicentre studies.

11. Abstract modifications

Abstracts may not be edited after the final submission deadline. Authors are welcome to bring an updated poster to the Congress. 

For accepted oral presentations, updated analyses and additional follow-up data may be included in the final presentation, provided that the scientific conclusions remain consistent with the submitted abstract and any material changes are disclosed. The Scientific Programme Committee may permit updates for designated late-breaking clinical trials.

12. Submission confirmation

An abstract is successfully submitted only after the submitting author receives a confirmation email following final submission. If no confirmation email is received, the submitter should contact the Congress Secretariat.

13. Encore abstracts

Geographic encore abstracts are eligible for consideration under the conditions specified in Rule 5. All previous presentations must be transparently disclosed at submission. The Scientific Programme Committee reserves the right to determine the appropriate presentation format.

14. Commercial names

Company or product names are not permitted in the abstract title. 

Scientific terminology and generic device or technology descriptions should be used whenever possible. Abstracts with promotional content or unsupported commercial claims will not be accepted.

15. Simultaneous submissions and publication

Original abstracts should not have been published in full before the submission, however after abstract submission and before the annual meeting submission of the full manuscript is allowed. Simultaneous submission of substantially identical abstracts to different meetings is discouraged and must be disclosed. 

Previous presentation at an international meeting does not automatically disqualify an abstract if it meets the geographic encore criteria described above. Authors must also comply with relevant journal publication and embargo policies.

MANUSCRIPT SUBMISSION AND PUBLICATION POLICY

Acceptance of an abstract for oral presentation at the ESTS Congress does not entail an obligation to submit a full manuscript to the European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EJCTS) or any other journal.  

Authors are encouraged to consider EJCTS or Interdisciplinary CardioVascular and Thoracic Surgery (ICVTS) as potential publication venues for their research. However, authors retain full freedom to select the journal best suited to their work. It is encouraged to state in the final publication that the work was presented at the annual ESTS conference. 

Presentation at the ESTS Congress does not constitute acceptance for publication in any journal. Journal submissions remain subject to independent editorial evaluation and peer review. 

The ESTS Scientific Programme Committee may explore opportunities with its affiliated journals to facilitate timely editorial consideration of selected high-quality scientific contributions, without creating any obligation for authors to submit. 

GUIDELINES FOR SUBMISSION 

Before beginning the submission process, please prepare the following information. 

Abstract topic – all abstracts must be assigned to one of the scientific topics listed in the submission system. 

Presenting author’s contact details: 

1. Email address

2. Full postal address 

3. Daytime telephone number 

4. Full names of all authors and co-authors 

5. Institutional affiliations, including department, institution/hospital, city, state (if applicable), and country 

Abstract title – limited to 20 words, in UPPER CASE. 

Abstract text – limited to 300 words. Please note that the word count may be affected by the inclusion of tables or figures. 

ABSTRACT STRUCTURE 

All abstracts must be submitted using the following structured format: 

⦿ Oral presentation: Background / Methods / Results / Conclusion 

⦿ Paper poster: Background / Methods / Results / Conclusion 

⦿ Video: Background / Methods / Results / Conclusion + mandatory 5-minute video 

⦿ Case report: Title of Case / Background / Case Presentation Summary / Key Learning Points 

⦿ Nurse symposium: Background / Methods / Results / Conclusion + optional 5-minute video 

For original clinical research, authors are expected to provide sufficient methodological and quantitative information to permit meaningful scientific assessment. Whenever applicable, abstracts should include the study design, number of participants, primary endpoint, key quantitative results, and appropriate measures of statistical uncertainty. 

Statements such as “results will be presented” without substantive data are generally not acceptable for regular original-research submissions. Exceptions may be considered under the late-breaking clinical trial pathway. 

Randomized clinical trials should include trial registration information. Authors are encouraged to follow recognized reporting standards, including CONSORT for randomized trials and STROBE for observational studies, where applicable. 

References are not mandatory. References included in the abstract count towards the word limit. 

Tables: Tables created using the submission system’s table function will count towards the word limit according to the number of words included. 

Graphs and images: The maximum file size is 500 KB per image, with maximum dimensions of 600 × 800 pixels. Images must be submitted in JPG format. Images do not count towards the word limit. 

Abstract drafts may be saved in the submission system. However, abstracts must be finally submitted before the deadline. Drafts not submitted by the deadline will not be considered. 

ABSTRACT SUBMITTERS’ DECLARATION 

During abstract submission, authors will be asked to confirm the following:

1. I confirm that I have reviewed the abstract and that all information is accurate. I understand that the abstract cannot be modified after final submission, except where explicitly permitted by the Organizers.

2. Submission of the abstract constitutes the consent of all authors to publication on the Congress website, in Congress programmes, and in related scientific communications.

3. I warrant that the submitted content does not infringe any third-party rights, including intellectual property or privacy rights.

4. I grant the Organizers a royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable, non-exclusive license to reproduce, publish, translate, distribute, and display the submitted content.

5. I confirm that the designated presenting author will receive all official correspondence and is responsible for informing all co-authors about the status of the abstract.

6. I understand that the presenting author must be a registered Congress participant.

7. The Organizers reserve the right to withdraw an abstract from publication or presentation if it does not comply with these guidelines.

8. I understand that the Scientific Programme Committee may reassign the abstract to a different scientific topic or presentation format.

9. I declare whether the research has previously been presented at any national or international scientific meeting, including the meeting name, date, and location, and whether this submission is intended as a geographic encore presentation.

10. I confirm that all clinical studies involving human participants have received appropriate institutional or ethics committee approval, or that a valid exemption applies.

11. I confirm that relevant clinical trials have been registered in a recognized public trial registry, where required.

12. I confirm that the abstract accurately represents the research conducted, that the results are supported by the available data, and that any important limitations or conflicts of interest have been appropriately disclosed.

13. I confirm that the abstract complies with applicable institutional policies concerning research integrity, authorship, and disclosure of funding or industry involvement.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST AND ETHICAL APPROVAL 

Authors must declare whether their study received ethical approval, where relevant, and disclose any potential conflicts of interest during their Congress presentation. 

All financial relationships, industry sponsorship, and other relevant competing interests must be disclosed in the final presentation. 

Research involving patients, identifiable patient information, or biological material must comply with applicable ethical and data protection requirements. 

The use of artificial intelligence tools in the preparation of abstracts should comply with recognized scientific publication standards and must be disclosed. Authors remain fully responsible for the accuracy, originality, and integrity of submitted content