18th Gulf Heart Association Conference (GHA 2026)
12 Nov 2026 – 14 Nov 2026 · Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre (OCEC), Muscat, Oman · In-Person
The 18th Gulf Heart Association Conference (GHA 2026) is the flagship regional cardiovascular meeting of the Gulf Heart Association, hosted in 2026 in partnership with the Oman Heart Association. Convening from 12–14 November 2026 at the Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre (OCEC) in Muscat, the conference brings together more than 1,000 cardiologists, allied health professionals, researchers, and industry partners from across the Gulf, wider MENA region, and internationally.
Under the leadership of Conference Co-Chairmen Dr. Mohammed Zubaid (President, Gulf Heart Association) and Dr. Kadhim Sulaiman (President, Oman Heart Association), the 18th edition continues a long-standing tradition as a leading scientific platform dedicated to advancing cardiovascular medicine, research, and clinical practice in the region. The three-day scientific agenda features 30+ sessions delivered across multiple parallel tracks, complemented by pre-conference workshops on Wednesday 11 November, satellite industry symposia, poster and oral abstract presentations, and a dedicated exhibition.
The program is designed to translate science into clinical practice with sessions covering Heart Failure (including the 2026 ESC guidelines and HFpEF/HFrEF management), Cardio-Renal-Metabolic (CKM) Syndrome, Interventional and Ischemic Heart Disease, Cardiac Electrophysiology (with a dedicated "practical cases" corner spanning atrial fibrillation, LBBAP, PFA safety, complex extractions, and dual-chamber leadless pacing), Structural Heart Disease (TAVI complications, TEER, TTVI), Multimodal Imaging, Valvular Disease, Congenital Heart Disease, Hypertension, Cardio-Oncology, and Cardiovascular Disease Prevention. Interactive formats include rapid-fire clinical cases, expert debates, and panel roundtables on "nightmare" lab scenarios.
Abstract submissions are open until 14 August 2026 across categories including atrial fibrillation, electrophysiology and ablation, heart failure and arrhythmias, inherited and pediatric arrhythmias, and clinical cases. The top three abstracts will receive the Dr. Wael Almahmeed Best-of-Abstracts Awards, each carrying a USD 1,250 prize, announced at the closing ceremony.
Accreditation is provided by Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi (ACCME) for a maximum of 13.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Registration is open with early-bird rates through 14 August 2026 (USD 400 foreign physicians, USD 300 allied health, USD 200 students; USD 75 / 50 / 25 for Oman-based delegates). The official destination partner is the Sultanate of Oman, with accommodation available at the JW Marriott Hotel Muscat adjacent to OCEC.
Partnering societies include the Egyptian Society of Cardiology, Pakistan Cardiac Society, Jordan Cardiac Society, Lebanese Society of Cardiology, PASCAR (Pan-African Society of Cardiology), and the Saudi Heart Association.
Call for abstracts (updated)
- Submission deadline: 25 August 2026, 18:00 Dubai time (GMT+4) — late submissions are not considered.
- Notification of status: by 10 September 2026 (from abstracts@lumina.ae).
- Abstracts may be re-edited until the deadline; accepted work is assigned to platform (oral) or poster presentation.
- Dr Wael Almahmeed Best-of-Abstracts Awards — the top three abstracts each receive USD 1,250, announced at the closing ceremony.
- Submit at https://forms.lumina.ae/gha26-abstracts/
Abstract categories
Atrial Fibrillation · Bradyarrhythmias · Clinical Cases · Electrophysiology and Ablation · Heart Failure and Arrhythmias · Inherited Arrhythmias · Pediatric Arrhythmias · Pharmacological Therapies · Supraventricular Tachycardia · Ventricular Arrhythmias
Presentation format
Oral presentations: 8 minutes + 2 minutes discussion; slides due 6 days before the congress. Posters: 90 cm wide × 150 cm high, official template provided by the organisers.
Registration fees (early bird until 25 August 2026)
| Category | Early bird |
|---|
| Foreign physicians | USD 400 |
| Foreign allied health professionals | USD 300 |
| Foreign students | USD 200 |
| Oman-based physicians | USD 75 |
| Oman-based allied health professionals | USD 50 |
All categories include the full scientific sessions, industry symposia, exhibition access and networking.
Scientific scope
Cardiac arrhythmias · cardiovascular disease prevention · heart failure and cardiomyopathies · interventions and ischemic heart disease · multimodal imaging · valvular disease · congenital heart disease. Target audience: cardiologists, interventional cardiologists, electrophysiologists, internists, family physicians and GPs, cardiology fellows-in-training, cardiac nurses and medical students.
Conference co-chairs: Dr. Mohammed Zubaid (President, Gulf Heart Association) and Dr. Kadhim Sulaiman (President, Oman Heart Association). Full programme PDF: https://gha26.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/GHA2026-Program.pdf
