39th Annual Congress – Lisbon

CCL, Lisboa Congress Centre

Praça das Industrias, 1
1300-307 Lisbon, Portugal

How to get there

The ESICM LIVES Annual Congress is a professional scientific meeting committed to providing a respective and inclusive environment.

All delegates including speakers, exhibitors, media staff and other participants are expected to conduct themselves with integrity and respect  according to the values of the ESICM.

The official language of the Congress is English. There will be no simultaneous translation.

Join us in making ESICM LIVES 2026 a more sustainable congress

I. Key initiatives 

 Sustainability & Environment

1. Waste sorting: Waste is carefully sorted at the venue.
2. Bring your water bottle: All participants are encouraged to bring their own reusable bottles.
3. Badge holders and lanyards: From 2024 onwards, ESICM has moved to recyclable cardboard badge holders instead of plastic. Lanyards are also designed for reuse, as they are no longer rebranded every year.
4. Local food: The venue sources all food from local small-scale suppliers. On Wednesday, 14 October, we encourage everyone to go vegetarian for a day. On this date, all food offered at the CCL, Lisboa Congress Centre will be entirely vegetarian.
5. No single-use plastic is used in the catering areas. Lunch boxes are provided in recycled paper containers.
6. Morning Charity Run & Walk – Support ICU patients around the world!
7. ISO 20121:2024 Certified PCO: ESICM has partnered with K.I.T. Group, which is ISO 20121:2024 certified for sustainable event management.

 Accessibility & Convenience

1. Transport connections: The venue is easily accessible by public transportation from both the airport and the city center.
2. Accessibility of facilities: All areas of the congress centre are accessible. For further assistance, please reach out to the organisation team.
3. Mothers’ room: If you require a space, free rooms can be arranged at the registration desk.

II. Sustainability Tips 

1. Go digital and limit paper usage 

You can download the ESICM App on Apple and Google Playstore. In the App you will find all information regarding the congress, including the full scientific programme, the exhibitors list and much more.

2. Water, water everywhere 

Bring your own reusable water bottle to refill at the water stations located throughout the congress.

3. Live like the locals

Save time and reduce your impact on the environment by getting to the congress venue by public transport, the fastest, most cost-efficient and environmentally friendly option. If public transport is not a viable option for you, we encourage you to use low-emission vehicles.

4. Limit your carbon footprint while travelling 

Lisbon is well connected to the European rail network, making it easy to reach by train.

If you must travel by plane, choose direct flights when possible to limit the carbon emissions.

Make your stay more sustainable by choosing a Green Certified hotel* and benefit from negotiated rates. You can find Green Certified Hotels on our accommodation platform.

*To be certified, hotels must fulfil internationally defined criteria specially adapted for establishments within the tourism sector. They must make considerable environmental efforts across areas such as food and beverage, energy, waste, and water. They should also calculate their carbon footprint and set targets to reduce it.

5. Save Energy

Save energy by turning off computers, laptops and other electronic devices when not in use. Recharge them only when needed. Turn off the AC and switch off the lights when leaving your hotel room.

6. Recycling made easy 

Use the designated recycling bins throughout the congress centre to help us get your waste where it needs to go.

7. Your lanyard will live again 

When you leave, please deposit your lanyard in the corresponding waste bins. Or keep it to reuse it next year.

https://www.visitlisboa.com/en

REVIEW PROCESS

The abstract submission system closed on 22 April 2026. This abstract receipt deadline is firm and any abstracts received after the deadline will not be accepted.

The submitted abstracts have been examined anonymously by the ESICM Reviewers and ESICM Congress Committee. We thank the abstracts submitters and congratulate those selected. We also encourage the authors not selected to resubmit for the ESICM LIVES 2027 in Copenhagen.

The authors have been informed of acceptance/rejection of their abstract by email on 10 June. Presentation details will be sent by the end of June at the latest.

All abstracts selected for presentation at the Congress will be presented either in the form of an oral or an e-poster presentation during the main congress (Mon 12 Oct or Tues 13 Oct or Wed 14 Oct) and will be published in the ICMx Journal.

ABSTRACT AWARDS

Ten Best Abstracts Awards
Presenters of the 10 best abstracts will receive an award including one free registration to LIVES 2027 (core congress).

Andrew Bates, United Kingdom
000140 - Targeted trauma-focused therapy for post-traumatic stress after critical illness: results from the EMERALD multicentre randomised feasibility trial

Adrián Marcos-Morales, Spain
000593 - Daily changes in the relationship between brain tissue hypoxia and cerebral perfusion pressure after traumatic brain injury

Alexandru Nica, France
000680 - Artificial Intelligence Versus Physicians: Performance of Large Language Models in the European Diploma in Intensive Care Examination Part I (MCQ written test)

Erika Salciute-Simene, Lithuania
000892 - Energy Expenditure Increases After ICU Discharge: A Longitudinal Observational Study

Petr Waldauf, Czech Republic
001061 - Artificial Intelligence Versus Physicians: Performance of a Frontier Large Language Model on the European Diploma in Intensive Care Medicine Part II OSCE (Pilot study)

Nicolas Fage, France
001142 Renal resistive index responsiveness to a mean arterial pressure test as a guide for mean arterial pressure target in the early phase of septic shock: A physiological study

Niklas Krug, Germany
001631 - Impact of Intraoperative Hypotension Depth and Duration on Postoperative Acute Kidney Injury and Mortality (HemoSurgery)

Kumar Anand Rahul, India
001703 - Early vasopressor administration and Postoperative organ dysfunction in elective Abdominal surgery: a randomized controlled study

Sef van den Beuken, Netherlands
002135 - Realistic Effect Sizes for Mortality in Critical Care Trials

Daniela Bento, Portugal
002300 - Frailty and illness severity, rather than age alone, explain excess mortality in very old ICU patients: a three-year multidisciplinary cohort study

Three N&AHP Abstract Awards
The N&AHP best abstract award includes one free registration to LIVES 2027 (core congress).

Cristobal Padilla‑Fortunatti, Chile
000191 - Time‑Specific Predictors of 6‑Month PICS‑F in ICU Caregivers: A Prospective Longitudinal Cohort Study

M. Ornowska, Canada
000539 - A triple-blinded, multi-center, cluster-randomized, crossover trial of central venous access device locking with 4% tetrasodium EDTA in the adult critical care population

F. Binda, Italy
002141 - Upper limb peripheral nerve injury in prone ventilated patients: a prospective cohort study

Notes:

• Submission of an abstract constitutes a formal commitment by the author to present the abstract in thesession and at the time decided upon by the Congress Committee. One of the co-authors can take over ifneeded. Failure to present the abstract, for other than duly motivated reasons, will lead to rejection ofabstract submission at the next ESICM Event.
• Registration fees for the presenting author will not be waived.
• It is the authors' responsibility to submit abstracts in perfect order with no errors in spelling and grammar.Abstracts will not be corrected.
• ESICM does not accept neither case reports or case series.
• The authors agree that ESICM will publish abstracts in the ICMx Journal and record the presentation forsubsequent use, as it deems appropriate.
• The signing author certifies that any work with human or animal subjects related in this abstract complies with the guiding principles for experimental procedures, as set forth in the Declaration of Helsinki and related publications.
• Submitting an abstract also certifies that at the time of submission, the scientific material found within the abstract has not been presented at any other meeting and will not be published in any form other than abstract form prior to the ESICM Annual Congress.

Failure to adhere to these rules will result in the automatic rejection of the abstract.

• Educational Prog under construction

At LIVES 2026 in Lisbon, the innovative formats of on-site sessions and activities will foster networking and knowledge exchange among colleagues and friends. The scientific programme will feature a diverse array of formats, including dynamic debates, case presentations, interactive lectures, symposia, and case discussions, among many others!

What can you expect at LIVES 2026?

Debates

Engage in in-depth discussions about complex issues that clinicians encounter in their daily practice. Experts from various fields of intensive care medicine will speak on specific topics, followed by a moderated debate where the audience can actively participate.

Clinical-Oriented Debates

Each clinical-oriented debate begins with a brief description of a clinical scenario, outlining a context with various issues. The discussion, always clinically oriented, will address these issues, emphasizing a multidisciplinary approach to the case. At the end, a concise summary with key take-home messages will be presented.

Hot Topics Session

This session, held at the end of the congress, is dedicated to presenting cutting-edge research on the fundamental aspects of Intensive Care Medicine to a large audience.

Latest research from the ICM Journal

This session will delve into a series of recently published papers in the Intensive Care Medicine Journal, exploring their implications for clinical practice.

NEXT Lounge

A dedicated space for young intensivists and ICM trainees to meet, mingle, and enjoy a specially designed parallel scientific programme.

NEXT Escape Games

Join the NEXT Escape Room Challenge at the ESICM Congress! Team up in groups of 3 to 5 and dive into a thrilling clinical case. Solve the puzzle faster than anyone else and win an exciting prize! Remember, spaces are limited, so register onsite early to secure your spot in this captivating test of skills and teamwork.

N&AHP/Pharma Lounge

A dedicated space for Nurses and Allied Healthcare Professionals, as well as those interested in pharmacology, pharmacotherapy, or ICU Pharmacists, to meet, mingle, and enjoy a specially designed parallel scientific programme.

Poster Stations

Abstract presenters will engage in brief discussions about their research, addressing questions and comments from both the moderators and the audience.

An application will be made to the UEMS EACCME® for CME accreditation of this event.

Registration Department

K.I.T. Group GmbH | Association & Conference Management | Kurfürstendamm 71, 10709 Berlin, Germany | Tel: +49 (0)30 24 603 319 | Email

Registrations : 27 April 2026

CONGRESS FEES

Fees are excluding 23% Portugal VAT

Core Congress (from Mon 12 Oct until Wed 14 Oct)

No coffee breaks/lunches will be provided as part of the congress package.

Pre-Congress Courses WEEKEND (Sat 10 Oct & Sun 11 Oct) - Seats limited!

Congress Workshops WEEK (Mon 12 Oct / Tue 13 Oct / Wed 14 Oct) - Seats limited!

Please note: Registration for the congress is a prerequisite for signing up for the educational sessions carried out during the congress.

NB:

Registrations for more than 5 (five) participants will be handled separately as a group booking.

We also offer free registration for Media representatives. Please send a valid document (press ID) to the ESICM Registration Department by Email before you submit your online registration.

*Low and Lower Middle Income Country (LMIC), as per the World Bank classification.

**N&AHP may be any nurse or allied healthcare professional (see professions here). Industry Representatives cannot be considered as Allied Health Professionals.

***To be purchased on-site.

If you are not yet a member of ESICM, there is no better time to join.
Join now! and benefit from this offer and all the other advantages membership of our global intensive care community brings.
More information about ESICM membership fees, HERE

Registration Dates

• Early registration: until 20 August 2026, 23:59 CEST
• Standard registration: from 21 August until 30 September 2026, 23:59 CEST
• Late registration: from 01 October until end of the congress

Letter of invitation

Individuals requiring an official Letter of Invitation can request one from the ESICM Registration Department. To receive a Letter of Invitation, attendees must first register to the Congress and submit payment in full.
The Letter of Invitation does not financially obligate the K.I.T. Group or ESICM in any way. All expenses incurred in relation to the Congress are the sole responsibility of the attendee.

Terms and Conditions

Available HERE

Morning Charity Run & Walk – Support ICU patients around the world!

For the second time at LIVES, ESICM is organising a Morning Charity Run & Walk to bring our community together in support of a vital cause.

When: Tuesday 13 October 2026
Time: 7:00 AM - Meeting time | 7:15 AM Starting time
Meeting Place:   In front of the Congress Center - CCL Lisbon
Running track:   Along the Tejo River to the Belem Tower
Price: 40 € with t-shirt

All proceeds will go to the ALIVE Fund, dedicated to improving intensive care patient outcomes worldwide. Join colleagues for a healthy, energising start to the day — and make a real impact.

Special Bonus: All registered participants will be entered into a prize draw to win free registration for LIVES 2027!

Note: No changing rooms will be available on-site, but a cloakroom will be provided at the congress venue for personal belongings.

Register now via the same link as your LIVES 2026 congress registration!
Don't miss your chance to move for a cause that matters.

Let’s run and walk for those who can’t. See you at the start line!

ESICM Dinner

When? 13/10/2026 - 20:30
Where? Estufa Fria - Parque Eduardo VII, 1070-051 Lisboa, Portugal
How much? 98 € without VAT

Nestled within the lush, enchanting beauty of Lisbon’s Estufa Fria, the ESICM Dinner will be a wonderful evening to connect with colleagues over exquisite dishes from our live culinary stations before we head to the dance floor for a lively night of music and mingling.

The Estufa Fria in Lisbon is a unique space were nature and history meet in harmony. Initially designed as a shelter for plants, it has become an idyllic setting, with lakes, waterfalls and hundreds of exotic species.

Code of Conduct

The ESICM LIVES Annual Congress is a professional scientific meeting committed to providing a respective and inclusive environment.

All delegates including speakers, exhibitors, media staff and other participants are expected to conduct themselves with integrity and respect  according to the values of the ESICM.

A number of hotels in different categories have been pre-booked at preferential rates for the congress. Rates include breakfast, local VAT and city tax. The hotels are located both close to the congress venue and in the city centre, with convenient and fast routes to the congress venue.

Book your hotel accommodation ahead of time and benefit from the best rates and choices. 
Please contact the Hotel Department for further information.

Accommodation

K.I.T. Group GmbH is the official housing agency, selected by the congress organiser, to be in charge of the hotel bookings for ESICM 2026. Individual bookings and small groups of up to 10 delegates can be made via the booking platform which will be available approximately by May 2026.

Group Bookings
Please note that group reservations, 10 rooms or more, will be handled with separate contracts and separate regulations. Please contact the Hotel Department for further information.

The designated official accommodation partner for the ESICM LIVES Annual Congress 2026 in Lisbon is K.I.T. Group GmbH:

K.I.T. Group GmbH
Kurfürstendamm 71
10709 Berlin
Germany
Tel. +49 30 24603 209
Email

Your hotel reservation will be part of the Congress Reservation block booking and the K.I.T. Group GmbH will be available to provide support.

Sponsorship

For questions regarding sponsorship, please contact:

Joel Alexandre
ESICM CEO
joel.alexandre@esicm.org

Elise Maquestiaux
ESICM Events & Sponsors Coordinator
elise.maquestiaux@esicm.org

Exhibition Space

For questions regarding exhibition, please contact:

Hester Folley
K.I.T. Group
industry@esicm-congress.org

This event is pre-cleared with the MedTech Europe Code of Ethical Business Practice for this event, see on Event Details CVS

All Italian pharmaceutical companies that need to obtain AIFA approval must contact:

HuTechTravel EVENTS | Volonline Group – Viale Tunisia, 21 - 20124 Milano

www.volonlinegroup.it |  www.hutechtravel.com

Barbara.Mantegazza@hutechtravel.com

Sustainability checklist for industry partner