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Expert talk: 5th Universal Definition of Myocardial Infarction

ESC Congress 2026 | Along the release of three new ESC Guidelines, the congress in Munich also featured the presentation of the new 5th Universal Definition of Myocardial Infarction. Our expert talk with Assoc. Prof Sarah Zaman (University of Sydney, Australia) and Prof. Holger Thiele (Herzzentrum Leipzig, Germany) summarizes the most important facts on the new release.

By:

Max Hendriks

HERZMEDIZIN editorial team

 

 

2026-08-31

Image source (image above): Sergii Figurnyi / Shutterstock.com

Take-aways

  • Myocardial infarction is now classified into three clinical types: primary, secondary, and procedure-related MI, replacing the former numerical classification system.
  • The new definition aims to simplify clinical practice while retaining detailed distinctions within each of the three MI categories.
  • Sex-specific cardiac troponin thresholds have been introduced to improve MI diagnosis and reduce the under-recognition of myocardial infarction in women.
  • The updated definition strengthens implementation in clinical practice, including new ICD-11 codes developed with the WHO and clearer criteria to distinguish myocardial injury from true myocardial infarction.

To the overview page ESC Congress 2026

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