Health and Safety FAQs

ACC is committed to the providing a safe environment for everyone at ACC.25. Below are frequently asked questions regarding health and safety measures that will be in place at ACC.25. All participants are expected to do their part to maintain a safe environment.

Important Notes:

  • Proof of full COVID-19 vaccination is required to attend ACC.25 in person. There can be no exceptions. Individuals who do not wish to be vaccinated are invited to participate in ACC.25 virtually.
  • Although a booster vaccination is not required to attend ACC.25, it is very strongly encouraged by the American College of Cardiology.1
  • All ACC.25 participants are required to wear a face mask at the convention center regardless of the current mask mandates implemented by the city of Washington, DC.
  • Overcrowding in rooms is not allowed. Seating in sessions is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. To ensure the safety and comfort of all attendees, ACC reserves the right to refuse further admission to any session that has reached capacity.
  • Eating and drinking is strictly prohibited in meeting rooms. Eating and drinking may take place in public spaces near restaurants and eating outlets.
  • The Convention Center has added new cleaning protocols, including treating all surfaces with antimicrobial biostatic surface protection, placing Nano-septic self-cleaning surface products on high-traffic touch points, and using electrostatic sprayers to sanitize function spaces overnight and during the day.
  • The Convention Center has installed a Synexis BioDefense system in the air handlers that supply all meeting rooms, which breaks down pathogens such as bacteria, mold, and viruses, including COVID, in circulating air.

Please do your part to help keep everyone safe! The CDC recommends the following practices:

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry. Hand sanitizing stations will be available throughout the convention center.
  • Cover coughs and sneezes. You can cough or sneeze into your mask. Put on a new, clean mask as soon as possible and wash your hands.
  • Monitor your health daily. Be alert for fever, cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms of COVID-19.
  • Review additional guidance from the CDC on remaining safe.

Eating and drinking is not allowed in any ACC meeting room. Eating and drinking is only allowed in spaces open to the public near food outlets and restaurants. Masks should be worn at all times within the convention center, even in these spaces, except while eating and drinking.

Masks are required to be worn at all times within the convention center except when you are in public spaces designated for eating and drinking.

We encourage all attendees to maintain a distance of 6' when possible. Signage onsite will encourage this practice wherever queue lines are formed. Within meeting rooms, attendees will have the option to sit in typical theater style chairs or in a special section of seating that allows for extra spacing between seats.

Everyone issued an ACC badge will be vaccine verified. There can be no exceptions. Those who are not vaccinated will not be allowed to enter the building. Review the vaccine verification procedures.

Proof of a negative COVID test will not be considered in place of COVID-19 vaccine verification. In order to attend the ACC.25, and gain access to the convention center, you must show proof of vaccination.

An individual is considered fully vaccinated:

Two weeks after their second dose in a two-dose series, such as the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines, or two weeks after a single-does vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson's Janssen vaccine. The final dose of COVID-19 vaccine must be administered at least two weeks prior to arrival.

Although a booster vaccination is not required to attend ACC.25, it is very strongly encouraged by the American College of Cardiology.1

Safe Expo will be providing a convenient, onsite COVID-19 testing service (walk in or by appointment) for those participants who may want to or are required to be tested prior to traveling home. Schedule an appointment.

Testing Center Hours:

Saturday, April 2: 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday, April 3: 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Monday, April 4: 7 a.m. – 4 p.m.

This service is not associated with access to the convention center and is only provided as a convenience for attendees who have already had their vaccines verified. Fees are payable directly by the participant to Safe Expo and this service is not connected with ACC, who cannot be held liable for the results. The ACC.25 senior team lead will be notified only in cases of positive test results.

For additional information, visit the Health & Safety page.

Please be sure to bring your mask with you. A limited supply of masks will be available at the Health and Safety checkpoints as you enter the building if you need one. In addition, you will be given a mask in your attendee bag.

Review the detailed instructions for submitting your COVID-19 vaccination verification using either CLEAR Health Pass or Safe Expo.

Please verify your vaccination as soon as possible and prior to travelling to Washington, DC. You will have the option to bring your vaccination card onsite for verification, however we strongly recommend that you verify your vaccination in advance of the meeting to avoid delays in entering the convention center. You will not be allowed to enter until you have received a vaccination verification.

If you have not performed your COVID-19 vaccine verification in advance, you will need to be prepared to show your vaccination card at the meeting to the Safe Expo staff at one of the Health and Safety Checkpoints. There may be delays associated with in-person verifications, so we strongly encourage all participants to confirm their verification in advance of travelling to Washington, DC.

For attendees who register on site at the Convention Center, Safe Expo will accept the original vaccination card OR a digital photo of the official vaccination card from the Department of Health, their city/state, or their medical provider. The card must include the individual's name, the brand of vaccine, and all dates administered.

In the event an ACC.25 participant falls ill with COVID-19, ACC will adhere to local, state and federal guidelines and will coordinate with Washington, DC Public Health authorities to ensure the proper steps are taken and protocols are followed for positive test results.

ACC is working in close collaboration with an on-site health and safety support team from Safe Expo. Safe Expo will offer onsite testing, for a fee to attendees, and if an individual tests positive Safe Expo will notify the individual and work to triage impacted individuals and provide appropriate care escalation and support.

ACC only receives confirmation that an attendee satisfied the vaccine requirements and never has access to an individual's private health data. Learn more about CLEAR and Safe Expo.

1. Nemet, I., et.al. Third BNT162b2 Vaccination Neutralization of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Infection. Letter to Editor: N Engl J Med 2021 Dec 29. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMc2119358. PMID: 34965337.

  Submit Your Science FAQs
  Submit Your Science FAQs
  Can I submit an abstract or case to ACC.25 if it has been presented and/or published previously?
  Can I submit an abstract or case to ACC.25 if it has been presented and/or published previously?
For ACC.25, please refer to the following table to determine eligibility for submission of scientific abstracts and complex cases for presentation at ACC.25. These criteria protect the quality, originality, and integrity of the science and case discussions featured during ACC.25.

Eligible Not Eligible
  • Abstracts/cases that have not previously been presented either live or virtually at another professional society meeting or published prior to ACC.25 are eligible for submission.
  • If an abstract/case has been presented (either live or virtually) only at an ACC state chapter meeting or ACC international meeting (ACC Asia, ACC Latin America, ACC Middle East), it is eligible for submission to ACC.25.
  • If an abstract/case has been presented (either live or virtually) only to a state medical society or country society meeting, or local institutional meeting, it is eligible for submission to ACC.25.
  • If an abstract/case is also planned for submission or presentation at a meeting taking place after ACC.25, it is eligible to be submitted to the ACC Annual Scientific Session.
  • Abstracts/cases may be submitted to journals for publication if the journals agree to hold publication until the ACC.25 embargo is lifted on the designated day at 8 am ET.
  • Abstracts/cases are not eligible for consideration if they have been presented either live or virtually at a national meeting held in the United States or any non-ACC international meeting held prior to ACC.25.*
  • Abstracts/cases are not eligible for consideration if they have been presented live or virtually at programs held by non-profit organizations (e.g., ACC live U.S. courses).
  • Abstracts/cases are not eligible for consideration if the abstract has been published prior to ACC.25.
  • If abstracts/cases are submitted to journals for publication and the journals do not agree to hold publication until the embargo is lifted and the abstract/case is published prior to that date, the abstract/case must be withdrawn from ACC.25.
* Examples of this type of meeting include, but are not limited to, scientific sessions by the American Heart Association (AHA), Heart Rhythm Society (HRS), Heart Failure Society of America (HFSA), Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT), Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI), and European Society of Cardiology (ESC).

Requests for exceptions to these eligibility requirements must be made in writing and will be reviewed by the ACC.25 Chair and ACC.25 Vice Chair. These situations are expected to be rare given the comprehensive guidance as detailed above.

If you have any questions, please contact Ashley Truluck on ACC staff at (atruluck@acc.org).
  If I submit my abstract or case to ACC.25, am I allowed to submit it to other conferences or journals?
  If I submit my abstract or case to ACC.25, am I allowed to submit it to other conferences or journals?
Yes, if the abstract/case will be presented at another meeting taking place after ACC.25. If your abstract/case is accepted by another U.S. national or international conference taking place prior to ACC.25, or if it is published prior to ACC.25, you will need to withdraw it from the ACC.25 program no later than Monday, Jan. 27, 2025.

If it is accepted for publication close to the ACC.25 dates, it is possible to coordinate the date of publication with the ACC Media Relations team and the respective journal so that the ACC.25 embargo policies are not violated.
  Can I submit a case presentation to the general abstract category?
  Can I submit a case presentation to the general abstract category?
This would not be advisable. Since the general abstract category is meant for scientific research only, case presentations are more likely to receive lower grades from abstract reviewers and are therefore less likely to be accepted.
  Who can submit to the general abstract category?
  Who can submit to the general abstract category?
Anyone is eligible to submit to this category, including non-ACC members and medical students.
  I am unsure of what category my abstract best fits into – which category should I pick?
  I am unsure of what category my abstract best fits into – which category should I pick?
As the submitting author, you are the most well equipped for knowing which category your abstract should be submitted to. However, if you would like a second opinion, we recommend reaching out to your colleagues, as they will have more expertise on the subject than ACC staff.
  Who can submit to the Complex Clinical Case category?
  Who can submit to the Complex Clinical Case category?
We are accepting complex clinical case submissions from the following two types:

1) Cardiovascular Team: The first author must be a non-physician CV team member, which could include nurses, advanced practice nurses, pharmacists, physician assistants, CV practice administrators, technologists, registered dietitian nutritionists or exercise specialists/physiologists. The presenter must be a CVT member. This submission type will have "CVT" listed at the beginning of each category.

2) Complex Clinical Cases: The second submission type is meant for medical students, residents, fellows-in-training, medical doctors and researchers.

  If my abstract or case is accepted, when will I be notified?
  If my abstract or case is accepted, when will I be notified?
All abstract/case presenters will receive a notification of their acceptance status on Monday, Dec. 16, 2024.
  Who will be notified if the abstract or case is accepted?
  Who will be notified if the abstract or case is accepted?
Only the presenting author for each submission will be notified about whether the abstract has been accepted or not.
  If my abstract or case is accepted, will it be published?
  If my abstract or case is accepted, will it be published?
Yes, abstract and cases will be published online in the ACC.25 JACC Abstract Supplement prior to the ACC Annual Scientific Session. Due to the nature of the submission, Interventional Challenging Cases accepted for presentation are not printed in JACC.
  What is the fee for abstract or case submission? Can this be waived?
  What is the fee for abstract or case submission? Can this be waived?
The fee is $55 for all general submission categories, including Abstracts, Complex Clinical Cases, and Interventional Challenging Cases. This fee cannot be waived.
  When is the abstract or case submission deadline?
  When is the abstract or case submission deadline?
The deadline for abstract and case submissions is Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024 at 1 p.m. ET.
  Are there example abstract or case submissions I can see?
  Are there example abstract or case submissions I can see?
Yes. We provide examples for the following categories on our Annual Scientific Session site: Complex Clinical Cases and Interventional Challenging Cases. If you would like to see examples of abstract submissions, you can view them in the ACC.24 Abstract Supplements of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology..
  How do I complete my disclosures?
  How do I complete my disclosures?
Visit https://disclosures.acc.org and log in using your ACC username and password. If you do not have an ACC username, you can create one for free on that page.
  Do all co-authors need to complete their disclosures?
  Do all co-authors need to complete their disclosures?
No. Only the presenting author and lead investigator are required to complete their disclosures. If a person is both the presenting author and lead investigator, then only they need to complete their disclosures.
  Does the Lead Investigator need to complete their disclosures for the submission to be complete?
  Does the Lead Investigator need to complete their disclosures for the submission to be complete?
No, they do not. The only person who must complete their disclosures for an abstract or case to be complete is the submitting author/presenting author. If the abstract is accepted, ACC will follow up with any lead investigators who have not disclosed.
  Who should I list as the Lead Investigator for my abstract or case?
  Who should I list as the Lead Investigator for my abstract or case?
Generally, the Lead Investigator is the senior author of an abstract or case, but sometimes the presenting author will list themselves as the Lead Investigator as well.
  Can I change who the presenting author is?
  Can I change who the presenting author is?
Yes, you can. To do this, log back into the submission site, click on the submission you want to make the change to, and go to the "Author" tab on the left-hand side of the screen. There, you will see the option to "Change who is Presenting" underneath the author names.
  Can I change the order authors are listed?
  Can I change the order authors are listed?
Yes, you can change the order of all co-authors, except for the first author. To do this, log back into the submission site, click on the submission you want to make the change to, and go to the "Author" tab on the left-hand side of the screen. There, you will see the option to "Change the Order these Author(s) are listed" underneath the author names.
  Why can't I change who the first author is?
  Why can't I change who the first author is?
The system automatically makes the submitting author the first author because they have completed their disclosures. If you would like to make someone other than the submitting author the first author, you will need to have them first complete their disclosures and then you will need to contact Annual Scientific Session staff to have them change the first author for you.
  Why is there an "N/A" displayed next to my name as the first author on the "Author" tab? Why is my institution information missing?
  Why is there an "N/A" displayed next to my name as the first author on the "Author" tab? Why is my institution information missing?
The first author will always have "n/a" displayed to the right of their name. This is normal and does not display anywhere else other than on the "Author" tab. Do NOT enter your name more than once to enter in your institution information since institution information is entered in on a separate tab.
  Is there a maximum character count for a submission?
  Is there a maximum character count for a submission?
Yes, the maximum character count per submission is 1,900 characters NOT including spaces. If you choose to add an image or table to your submission, it will count as 600 characters towards the total 1,900 characters that are allowed.
  If I am using commonly known abbreviations like TAVR or STEMI, do I need to include them in my 5 unique abbreviations?
  If I am using commonly known abbreviations like TAVR or STEMI, do I need to include them in my 5 unique abbreviations?
No, you do not. Commonly known abbreviations do not need to be counted towards the 5 unique abbreviations limit, and they do not need to be written out in their entirety upon first use.
  Can I include a table in my abstract or case?
  Can I include a table in my abstract or case?
Yes, you may include a table in your abstract or case by uploading an image of it as GIF or JPG file. The easiest way to do this is by taking a screenshot. You can do this on a Windows computer by using the snipping tool, and you can do this on an Apple computer by hitting Command-Shift-4.
  Do I need to get a signed patient consent form for my case submission?
  Do I need to get a signed patient consent form for my case submission?
No, you do not. We work under the assumption that you have already taken all necessary steps to protect your patient's identity and respect their privacy.
  How do I know my abstract or case is complete?
  How do I know my abstract or case is complete?
All tabs on the left-hand side of the submission site will have checkmarks next to them and the "Review My Work" tab will have a message saying, "Your submission is complete and will be sent to review." You will also have the option to send yourself a confirmation email that your submission is complete at the top of the "Review My Work" page. This option will only appear if your submission is complete.
  Am I able to save a copy of my abstract or case?
  Am I able to save a copy of my abstract or case?
Yes. You can save a copy of your abstract or case by logging into the submission site, clicking on the submission that you want to save, and then going to the "Review My Work" tab on the left-hand side of the screen. On the top of that page, you will have the option to print your abstract or case for your records.
  Can I make edits to my abstract or case after the submission deadline?
  Can I make edits to my abstract or case after the submission deadline?
No, you cannot. Per ACC policies and procedures, no edits can be made to abstract or case submissions after the submission deadline. This includes adding author names or correcting errors in data. Please carefully review your submission prior to the submission deadline to ensure all co-authors are listed and all information is correct. After Oct. 1, 2024, no more edits can be made to your submission.
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